In Exodus we read of the afflictions of the Israelites while in slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh feared the growth and population of the Israelites and said to the midwives"When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birth stool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.' But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, 'Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?' The midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.' So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, 'Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive." Exodus 1:16-22
In the next chapter we read of Moses
"Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?' Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go ahead.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, 'Because I drew him out of the water." Exodus 2:1-10
Moses' mother, Jochebed, loved him and cared for him as long as she could. She knew that if she kept him in her care he faced possibly death. Even if she did keep him, what type of life would he have? Would he be able to live life to it's fullest while being hidden away in fear of being killed by Pharaoh? She dreamed of a better life for her son and made the sacrifice and leap of faith to place him in a basket and send him down the river to a better and safer life than she could provide. I never looked and this passage in much depth until this last month.
On December 16th, a precious baby boy was born at a local hospital here in Reno. Much like Jochebed, his mother cared for him the best way she knew how for as long as she could but the dangers and trials of this world became overwhelming. The last 7 weeks were a challenge for her while deciding what the right thing to do is. Today, February 9th, this very courageous woman let go of her basket and chose a better life for him.
We are pleased, honored and humbled to announce that we picked up the basket and are now the proud adoptive parents of Josiah David Boutcher. Words can't express how grateful we are to all of you for your prayers and encouragement during this last year and we searched for our "Moses." We thank Josiah's birth mother, who we have come to love, that decided to place him with us. Most importantly, we thank our awesome God, who has prepared us for this time and blessed us with the greatest gift, a son.
