Blog Detail

The power of Bible Champions working in the background.

(A series of quizzes on some lesser-known Bible heroes/heroines. ) – Today we look at Jochebed and Miriam

This Bible account contains the record of two women of wisdom, courage, and faith. The main character is mentioned briefly by name in the scriptures, however, I believe every child that has attended Sunday School has repeatedly heard of both their amazing acts of faith.

— Our focus today is on Jochebed, the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam…  (Mark the correct answer.)

Exodus 2:1-10 (GNB version) During this time a man from the tribe of Levi married a woman of his own tribe,  (2)  and she bore him a son. When she saw what a fine baby he was, she hid him for three months.  (3)  But when she could not hide him any longer, she took a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar to make it watertight. She put the baby in it and then placed it in the tall grass at the edge of the river.  (4)  The baby’s sister stood some distance away to see what would happen to him.

— Q1. Why did this mother hide her baby for three months and then feel the need for this drastic measure?

O – She could no longer keep her baby hidden.     O – If the Egyptians found her baby he would be killed.

O – Both of these.

— Q2. What did Jochebed do for her baby as she set him adrift on the Nile?

O – She places the waterproofed basket in the tall grass.     O – She sent Miriam to watch over him.

O – She set the basket near to where the Egyptian ladies came to bathe.     O – All of these.

(Vs.5-6)  The king’s daughter came down to the river to bathe, while her servants walked along the bank. Suddenly she noticed the basket in the tall grass and sent a slave woman to get it.  (6)  The princess opened it and saw a baby boy. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.

— Q3. Who are we told first noticed the basket?

O – A servant.     O – The Pharaoh’s daughter.     O – A crocodile.

— Q4. What could the Pharaoh’s daughter have done with this baby?

O – Have him handed over for execution.     O – Left him to feed their sacred crocodiles.     O – Both of these.

(Side note) – The average size of a crocodile in the Nile is in the range of 16 feet and 500 pounds. They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. They were both feared and revered by the ancient Egyptians.

— Q5. What does the Pharaoh’s daughter reveal to us in deciding to rescue this baby?

O – She knows he is a condemned Hebrew baby.     O – She has compassion.     O – Both of these.

(Vs.7-8)  Then his sister asked her, “Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for you?”  (8)  “Please do,” she answered. So the girl went and brought the baby’s own mother.

— Q6. What do you think of this youngster Miriam?

O – She seized an opportunity to reunite her baby brother and her heartbroken mother.

O – She shows boldness, wisdom, and courage.     O – All of these.

(Vs.9-10)  The princess told the woman, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So she took the baby and nursed him.  (10)  Later, when the child was old enough, she took him to the king’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. She said to herself, “I pulled him out of the water, and so I name him Moses.”

— Q7. What can we see in these women of Bible history?

O – They suffered under Egyptian bondage.

O – Their actions saved the baby, by setting Moses adrift in the River Nile, hoping that God would save him.

O – Both of these.

— Q8. This question would best be answered by the ladies… What does it take to do what Jochebed did?

(This is an opportunity for the women to educate the men as to a mother’s heart and hurts.)

(Quiz continues on Pg.#2)

The power of Bible Champions working in the background. (Pg.#2)

— Q9. Though only briefly mentioned in the Bible, how did Jochebed have an impact on our lives today?

O – Her obedience to God made her indirectly responsible for the survival of the nation of Israel.

O – Because she released her baby into God’s will, the whole plan of the birth of Jesus continued unhindered.

O – Both a & b.

— Q10. Did God simply use this mother, and then cast her aside?

O – Yes, because she lost her baby.     O – No, for God set it up so she would continue to raise Moses.

— Q11. Who gave Moses his name (The name recorded in the scriptures)?

O – His father, Amram. (SEE Numbers 26:58)     O – Jochebed.     O – Pharaoh’s daughter.

— Q12. Is there something we all can learn from the amazing history of Jochebed?

O – Yes… (Let’s discuss what can be learned.)     O – No, (We should discuss why you think this way.)

— Q13. From this list, mark what you see in this Biblical Woman Jochebed…

She…  O – had wisdom.     O – had faith in God.     O – loved her children.     O – submitted to God.

O – had the ability to make hard decisions.     O – neglected her baby.     O – was led by God.

O – had courage.     O – submitted to an evil Law.     O – had the strength to stand against an evil law.

— Q14. From this list, mark what you see in this Biblical young heroine Miriam…

She…  O – had wisdom.     O – had faith in God.     O – loved her Mother and baby brother.

O – had the ability to make hard decisions.     O – had courage.     O – was led by God.

O – stepped out of the shadows when the time was right.     O – Ran away at the first opportunity.

For further discussion…

— Q15. Do you believe that this was orchestrated by God, and Jochebed was obedient to God’s inspiration, …OR do you think this was the result of a woman’s desperate attempt to save her baby’s life?

Your answer to Q15 greatly determines your ability to release struggles and decisions unto God.

Ponder for a moment the future ramifications that came about because this mother placed her baby in that basket in the river Nile, instead of holding onto him until Egyptian soldiers came to take him and kill him.

— The very future freedom of the nation of Israel hinged on her decision.

— I pray we all can learn Godly lessons from both these amazing women of faith. …(KK)

(Click here for a PDF copy Pg.#1)

(Click here for a PDF copy Pg.#2)