IDEAS
Ideas have the power to change the world. Have you ever thought about life without flights or electricity? These everyday conveniences were once just ideas in someone’s mind. The difference between an idea and reality is the courage to act. In Proverbs 16:3, we are reminded to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” One of the most inspiring stories of someone whose ideas saved lives is Jochebed, the mother of Moses, found in Exodus 2.
Jochebed’s life illustrates the power of ideas rooted in faith and action. She faced a time of great danger, with the Pharaoh’s decree to kill all newborn Hebrew boys, but her ideas and courage saved her son and helped shape the future of Israel. Her life embodies the acronym IDEAS, representing: Integrity, Diligence, Excellence, Adaptability, and Strategy.
I: Integrity
Integrity means standing by your values, no matter the cost. Jochebed was a woman of deep integrity. She came from the tribe of Levi and married a man of the same lineage, adhering to the command not to be unequally yoked. She believed in the promises of God, including the prophecy that a deliverer would come to free Israel from slavery. When her son was born, she knew he might be the one, and she couldn’t let him be killed. Hebrews 11:23 tells us that Jochebed and her husband were “not afraid of the king’s edict” because of their faith in God.
In contrast, we see the lack of integrity in the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about their offering to God (Acts 5). Integrity is displayed in the things we agree to. Ananias and Saphira agreed to sell a piece of land and deliver the proceeds to the course of God. However Ananias decided that they would not fulfill the entire promise but lie about how much they had sold the land for. Unfortunately Saphira was aware about it and agreed to it. Their deceit cost them their lives, showing how important it is to remain true to our commitments. Jochebed, however, chose integrity, even at great personal risk, by protecting her son despite the king’s orders.
D: Diligence
Jochebed’s diligence is remarkable. Hiding a baby for three months in a time of intense scrutiny required constant effort and wisdom. It wasn’t just about keeping the baby quiet—she had to conceal her pregnancy and avoid detection in a close-knit community.
Her diligence didn’t end there. When it became too dangerous to hide her son any longer, Jochebed crafted a basket—referred to as an “ark” in some translations—and carefully waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She ensured every detail was perfect, knowing that her son’s survival depended on it. Proverbs 13:4 says, “The soul of the diligent shall be made rich,” and Jochebed’s diligence was richly rewarded when her son was saved by Pharaoh’s daughter.
E: Excellence
Excellence is about going beyond the bare minimum, and Jochebed did exactly that. The basket she made was not just functional but beautiful, designed to catch the eye of the princess. It floated safely on the Nile, protecting Moses from danger both inside and outside the basket. Jochebed’s excellence is seen in her attention to detail—she didn’t just rely on chance, but created the best possible conditions for her son’s survival.
Like Noah building the ark to save his family, Jochebed built her own “ark” for Moses. Her excellence ensured that Moses’ life was preserved, and her effort stands as an example of how we should approach the tasks God gives us. Proverbs 31:29 says, “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all,” a verse that could well describe Jochebed.
A: Adaptability
Life doesn’t always go as planned, and adaptability is key to surviving and thriving in challenging circumstances. Jochebed didn’t waste time lamenting the difficult conditions around her. She knew she had given birth in a difficult time, she had to adapt. She could not parent her child in the same way she did the older she had to be a little strategic to save the life of the child and to also raise him without being detected. She had no time to complain on how unfair government policies were, how jobs were scarce and resources meagre. She adapted to the situation by coming up with a creative plan to save her son.
Jochebed adapted in every way she could: from becoming a basket weaver when her primary role was as a mother, to working as a paid nanny for Pharaoh’s daughter. She didn’t let the scarcity of resources or the oppressive government policy hold her back. Instead, she pivoted and found ways to not only survive but succeed in raising her son in Pharaoh’s palace. Philippians 4:12 reminds us of this kind of adaptability: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.”
S: Strategy
Finally, Jochebed was a master strategist. She didn’t just leave the basket floating aimlessly. She strategically placed it where Pharaoh’s daughter would find it, positioning her son in the right place at the right time. She also sent Miriam, her daughter, to watch over the basket and intervene at the perfect moment. When Pharaoh’s daughter discovered Moses, Miriam was ready with a plan, offering to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child—none other than Jochebed herself. In the curriculum vitae which Miriam presented, she deliberately left out the fact that she was the child’s mother and simply sold her mum as the best of nannies. She new that you cannot simply send out one generic CV to every job.
Jochebed’s strategy was not just about saving Moses; it was about positioning him for greatness. Her plan ensured that Moses was raised in the palace, educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and eventually placed in a position to lead Israel out of slavery.
Conclusion: Committing Your Ideas to God
Jochebed’s story shows us the power of ideas when they are committed to God and executed with integrity, diligence, excellence, adaptability, and strategy. She not only saved her son but played a crucial role in God’s plan for the deliverance of Israel. God took her plan and established it beyond what she could have imagined—allowing her to nurse her own son, get paid for it, and watch him grow into the deliverer of Israel.
Do you have an idea or a plan? Commit it to the Lord today, just as Jochebed did. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” When we bring our ideas to God, He not only guides us but also brings them to fruition in ways we cannot foresee. Jochebed’s story reminds us that with God, our ideas can change the world.