It was during this heinous attempt at genocide that Amram and Jochebed, a Hebrew married couple, became parents to a beautiful baby boy. It is easy to imagine how their joy may have been eclipsed by dread when they remembered Pharaoh’s decree. Yet, as Amram and Jochebed looked at their baby boy, they firmly resolved not to forsake him, regardless of the consequences.—Exodus 2:1, 2; 6:20.

Acting in Faith

For three months Amram and Jochebed kept their baby concealed. (Exodus 2:2) This was risky, however, since the Hebrews and the Egyptians lived in close proximity. Anyone found attempting to circumvent Pharaoh’s decree would likely be punished with death—and the baby would die too. What, then, could these devoted parents do to keep their son and themselves alive?

Jochebed gathered up some papyrus shoots. The papyrus is a strong rush, similar to bamboo, and has a three-sided stalk about the thickness of a finger. It may reach up to 20 feet [6 m] in height. The Egyptians used this plant to make paper, mats, sails, sandals, and lightweight boats.

Jochebed formed out of the stalks a chest of sufficient size to contain her baby. She next applied bitumen and pitch to hold the chest together and to make it watertight. Jochebed then placed her baby inside the vessel and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile River.—Exodus 2:3.

Jochebed kept her child until he was weaned.c This gave her many precious opportunities to teach him about the true God, Jehovah. Then Jochebed brought the child back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who named the boy Moses, meaning “saved out of water.”—Exodus 2:10.

Lesson for Us

Amram and Jochebed took full advantage of the brief opportunity they had to teach their son the principles of pure worship. Parents today should do the same. Indeed, it is imperative that they do so. Satan the Devil “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Peter 5:8) He would love to have as his victims precious youths—boys and girls—who have the prospect of becoming fine servants of Jehovah. Their tender years elicit no sympathy from him! In view of this, wise parents train their infant children to fear the true God, Jehovah.—Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

At Hebrews 11:23, the effort of Amram and Jochebed to conceal their infant during the first three months of his life is recorded as an act of faith. Both of these God-fearing parents showed trust in Jehovah’s saving power by refusing to abandon their child, and for this they were blessed. We too should show strict adherence to Jehovah’s laws and principles, confident that whatever Jehovah permits to come upon us will eventually work out for our eternal welfare and happiness.—Romans 8:28.