OCTOBER: DOING WHAT IS RIGHT
Look Closer
The defining story of a people - God’s deliverance from slavery - begins with five women working to subvert an evil decree. Moses, the great figurehead of the Hebrew Bible, is only a possibility because five women defied corrupt, violent authority and did what they knew was right. These women were rule-breakers, and they didn’t always tell the whole truth. They are awe-inspiring - and also a little tricky to talk about with young children, when we’re trying to establish some sense of staying within the boundaries (or rules) that are set up to protect and nurture children!
There is so much going on in these first couple stories of Exodus. As parents and caregivers, tell the story, dig into it yourself, and then follow the children’s curiosity, spiraling as deep into the story as they are ready for. They’ll guide you with their questions and observations! And hopefully, the “spiral deeper” section below will give you a start on the resources you need to come alongside the children’s curiosity.
These are important stories to tell. Stories of mostly slave women (the bottom of the societal structure) who saw the bigger picture of what was right, who used discernment, who followed the tug of the Holy Spirit, and who used their wits to save innocent children. These women are heroes, and we need them in the collective story we tell.
Spiral Deeper
The defining story of a people - God’s deliverance from slavery - begins with five women working to subvert an evil decree. Moses, the great figurehead of the Hebrew Bible, is only a possibility because five women defied corrupt, violent authority and did what they knew was right. These women were rule-breakers, and they didn’t always tell the whole truth. They are awe-inspiring - and also a little tricky to talk about with young children, when we’re trying to establish some sense of staying within the boundaries (or rules) that are set up to protect and nurture children!
There is so much going on in these first couple stories of Exodus. As parents and caregivers, tell the story, dig into it yourself, and then follow the children’s curiosity, spiraling as deep into the story as they are ready for. They’ll guide you with their questions and observations! And hopefully, the “spiral deeper” section below will give you a start on the resources you need to come alongside the children’s curiosity.
These are important stories to tell. Stories of mostly slave women (the bottom of the societal structure) who saw the bigger picture of what was right, who used discernment, who followed the tug of the Holy Spirit, and who used their wits to save innocent children. These women are heroes, and we need them in the collective story we tell.
Spiral Deeper
- How did Joseph’s family go from privilege to slavery? We learn the answer to that in verses 8-14.
- Why did Pharaoh order that male infants be killed, not female? Not because men are more valuable, but because the men were the warriors - they were the bigger threat. Also, the girls could be easily incorporated into Egyptian households, through domestic labor or sexual exploitation, and therefore could be assimilated more quickly.
- Read the story of Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15-22) out loud. Do you hear the humor in it? The Hebrew women are superhuman, popping those babies out so quickly the midwives can’t even get there in time! While that could certainly happen from time to time, it’s surely not the norm. The midwives are making it up, and it’s pretty funny when you think about it!
- Notice that the midwives choose who they serve. They serve God rather than the earthly ruler. And that has implications for their actions.
- On to Chapter 2! Now we come to a more specific story, not of saving all the infants but of one specific infant. One small act of rebellion.
- In 2:3, the NRSV translates tevah as “papyrus basket.” This same word was translated as “ark” in the Noah story. What connections does that make?
- Water is a major theme in these stories and the bigger Exodus story. Pharaoh orders babies to be thrown into water and drowned. Moses is saved by being placed in the Nile and withdrawn from it. The Red Sea will part and the people will be saved by it. Moses will strike a rock and water will gush out, saving the people from dehydration.
- “Moses” is an Egyptian name that means “the one who is born,” or more simply, “son.” It’s connected here and in tradition to the Hebrew verb mashah, which means “to draw out from water.” The name is highly symbolic. And already shows that Moses is going to be, in today’s language, a bicultural person.
- How long was Moses allowed to be with his birth mother??? Scholars put this weaning at anywhere from one year to seven years, but many agree it’s somewhere around the age of 3. Think about the children in your life - what foundation has been laid at that point?
- These women fit the story theme of a “trickster tale.” Trickster tales are common in many non-US cultures. In a trickster tale, the central character (the trickster) is not in a position of power. When they have a need or a desire, they cannot use their privilege and power to do what they need to do, so they use their wits instead. Looking at these stories from that point of view, what do you see?
Pray It
God, give us wisdom to see what is right and courage to do it. Amen.
God, give us wisdom to see what is right and courage to do it. Amen.
Do It
- Experience the stories: These are great stories! Read them, retell them in your own words. Act them out. Tell them with dolls, Legos and stuffed animals. Make peg dolls of the characters and tell the stories with them. Explore these characters and celebrate them.
- Create a storybook: Create your own household book that tells this story. Create drawings, print pictures, or use cut-out magazine pictures and write the story in your own words. Read it frequently, letting this story become one your household knows and tells.
- Water play! Water is a theme in this story. Explore water together. It can destroy (notice how some things sink to the bottom), but it can also give life (drink some water). With the right vessel, it can save, too. Experiment with creating a vessel that will float, maybe even one that can float while holding a small object.
- Ark in a river: Along the same lines, create an “ark” (this can be as simple as a stick that will float) and take it to a nearby river. Set it in the river and let it be carried by the stream. Follow it and track it as it floats along.
Explore It: Notes from Tami
One way to look at these women was to see them as holy troublemakers. According to How to Become a Holy Troublemaker, “Holy troublemakers are people who are compelled to live a life worthy of a pushback—a life worthy of persecution. They’re the people who don’t just hear the Beatitudes but who actually become the Beatitudes.” Read the rest of this resource to be further inspired.
How to Become a Holy Troublemaker
I greatly admire the bravery of the Hebrew women. They were powerless women who stepped out to make a huge difference for their people. They can be valuable examples for our children of doing what is right and making a difference. However, we also want to empower our children so that they don’t feel so powerless that they must resort to trickery to make a difference. Here is a resource that advises us on ways to empower our children. How to Help Empower Your Kids
One way to look at these women was to see them as holy troublemakers. According to How to Become a Holy Troublemaker, “Holy troublemakers are people who are compelled to live a life worthy of a pushback—a life worthy of persecution. They’re the people who don’t just hear the Beatitudes but who actually become the Beatitudes.” Read the rest of this resource to be further inspired.
How to Become a Holy Troublemaker
I greatly admire the bravery of the Hebrew women. They were powerless women who stepped out to make a huge difference for their people. They can be valuable examples for our children of doing what is right and making a difference. However, we also want to empower our children so that they don’t feel so powerless that they must resort to trickery to make a difference. Here is a resource that advises us on ways to empower our children. How to Help Empower Your Kids
