Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
HEBREWS 11:23
This verse recalls the courage of parents whose faith shaped their children’s futures. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” In Exodus 1–2, Pharaoh’s decree commands the killing of Hebrew male infants. Jochebed and Amram (Moses’ parents) respond not with fear but with faith-filled defiance rooted in God’s sovereignty. Their decision to hide Moses shows a strategic, trust-filled rebellion against a culture of fear. The narrative context underscores two realities: God’s plan often unfolds through acts of courageous obedience by ordinary families, and the value of cautious, faithful resistance against oppressive authorities when aligned with God’s higher law. Their actions preserve the line through which God would raise deliverer for Israel.
This verse highlights faith as civil courage and familial devotion under oppression. It teaches that fear can be overridden by trust in God’s purposes, even when the cost is personal safety. The hidden infancy foreshadows Moses’ later leadership and the Exodus, where God’s deliverance again depends on human agents who respond to divine initiative. Theologically, it presents faith as communal and intergenerational—parents partnering with God to preserve life and vocation. It also signals God’s providence in safeguarding the future of His people, using stealthy obedience in the face of tyrannical power.
Applications abound: in environments where life is devalued by policy or culture, choose principled, compassionate resistance guided by Scripture. Practical steps include praying for discernment, seeking wise counsel, and choosing actions that protect the vulnerable without compromising integrity. For parents and guardians, this can mean advocating for safe, lawful protections for children, teaching them to honor life, and modeling brave, hopeful trust in God. In everyday life, “hiding” can translate into creating safe spaces for faith formation at home, supporting at-risk friends, or quietly refusing to participate in harmful practices while remaining respectful and loving.
Cross-References: Exodus 1:22; Acts 7:20-25; Psalm 27:1; 1 Samuel 2:27-28; Proverbs 29:25