A Song for Moses

“I’ll Deliver You” is the ultimate song of mother-love, sung by Jochebed to her son, Moses.  (The lyrics for this song are here.)  Because pharaoh told the Hebrew midwives to kill all Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 1:15-22), Jochebed hid the infant Moses. “And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.”

The song opens as Jochebed places her 3-month old baby in the basket in the water. The entire story is told in Exodus 2:1-10.  As Jochebed sings, we hear her desperation as she places Moses in the river; her joy when he is returned to her “nursemaid” arms and her faith that she can communicate to him her deep love AND teach and prepare him for what lies ahead…

Jochebed’s Vision

Did Jochebed know what was in store for her son?  What mystery did she see when she looked in his eyes? Surely she knew of the singular opportunity that was available to him, a Levite boy who would soon have access to all the advantages and influences of the Pharaoh’s house…

“Remember who you are.”
“Remember you are loved.”
“Remember your people.”

Mothers and fathers enable their children to do great things by giving each child the priceless knowledge that they are truly loved.

The song ends with Jochebed bringing the young child Moses to the pharaoh’s daughter and watching him walk away from her forever. How did she bear it?

My hopes and dreams go with you!
How I hope to see the man that you become!
God has something for you to do: You must find what He’s planned for you…
Oh my baby, oh my darling, we must put our trust in God!

How many valiant mothers have said goodbye to their sons with just such sentiments in their hearts?

I love this song.

Moses and Jochebed by Pedro Americo 1884