079. EXO 2:9. BIRTH OF MOSES

Exo_2:9. Birth of Moses

ADDRESSED TO PARENTS

"Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages."’97Exo_2:9

Notice the eventful period of the birth of Moses. Pharaoh’s cruel edict. Amram and Jochebed, the parents of Moses, conceal his birth. Necessitated to remove him. Ark prepared’97committed with its precious treasure to the waters of the Nile. Miriam, his sister, appointed to watch over it. Pharaoh’s daughter visits the river. Sees the ark. Has it brought to her. Babe weeps. Her heart melts, and she resolves to save it. Miriam offers to introduce a Hebrew nurse. The offer is accepted, and his mother receives him back, with the address of the text, "Take this child," &c. Let us consider the text as addressed to all parents. Notice, I. The Duty enjoined, and II. The Reward promised.

I. The Duty enjoined.

"Take this child away, and nurse: for me." Notice,

1. The object.

"This child." A human being in a state of entire weakness and dependence. What we once were. Consider,

(1) What it may become Perhaps a philosopher, warrior, statesman, philanthropist, minister of truth.

(2) What it must become. A responsible moral agent, heir of immortality, eternally saved or lost. Observe,

2. The duty itself.

"Nurse it for me." It includes,

(1) Attention to the physical wants’97food, clothes, health, comfort, &c. It includes,

(2) Cultivation of the mental faculties. Improvement of the intellectual powers by education. But it especially includes,

(3) The religious instruction of the soul. It does not imply that parents can change the hearts of their children; this is God’s prerogative; he does not demand this from them: but he requires them to use the means, to sow the seed, to "train them up in the way they should go." This they can effect,

1. By the communication of Scriptural knowledge.’97Knowledge of human nature’97evil of sin’97accountability to God’97redemption by Jesus Christ’97doctrines of repentance, holiness, future rewards and punishments.

2. By the employment of moral discipline.’97Restraining sin. Exercising parental authority, without this, a family is like a field without a fence, like an asylum of maniacs, house without a roof, army without discipline.

3. By placing before them a consistent example.’97Walking before them wisely. Alluring by a practical exhibition of religion. Children greatly influenced by what they see. Gives power and efficiency to instruction.

4. By taking them to the house of God.’97Do this early. Behold the child Samuel ministering before the Lord; 1Sa_2:11. How beautiful! how affecting!

5. By constantly praying with and for them.’97This will engage the influence of heaven on their behalf, and is the way to procure the aid of the Holy Spirit, who alone can make all the other means successful. Abraham prayed thus for Ishmael, and Jacob for Joseph’s sons; Gen_17:18; Gen_48:16. Let us consider, then,

II. The Reward promised.

"And I will pay thee thy wages." You may be rewarded,

1. By seeing your efforts crowned with success.

Children like olive-plants around your tables. Polished stones, &c. See them rise up to call God blessed; to fill useful places in society and in the church. Thousands have been thus rewarded; there are failures, but these are the exceptions, not the rule itself.

2. You shall at any rate possess the consciousness of the divine favor.

The Christian parent who trains up his children to piety, shall always have the smile of Deity, and be free from the bitter tortures of conscience, attendant upon a neglect of these duties.

3. You shall leave your children with composure when you come to die.

If you have succeeded, they shall step into your offices in the church, and carry on that blessed cause which is so dear to your hearts. The separation, too, shall be but for a moment, and the reunion in glory shall be uninterrupted and everlasting. If you have failed, still you will die in peace: you have employed the means, and after your decease, God may make then efficient; if not, his will be done!

4. You shall stand before them with confidence in the judgment-day.

Not be afraid to see them. Clear of their blood. Your faithful discharge of the parental duties fully known to the omniscient Being who shall be seated on the dread tribunal. He will now honor, confess, and reward you.

Application

1. Let pious parents be encouraged in the way of duty. 2. Let negligent parents consider the cruelty of their conduct, and the bitter consequences which must result from it.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS