A Mother's Sacrifice: Jochebed's Story

Ordinary Women of the Bible

by Carole Towriss

You probably know something of Moses—the man who God entrusted with the Ten Commandments. Now discover the remarkable story of his mother.

Stroll the ancient halls of an Egyptian villa and walk the dusty paths of a slave’s village and witness God’s governing hand on two mothers. This captivating story begins when Jochebed gives birth to Moses, just moments after the Pharaoh issues an order to kill every newborn Hebrew male.

How will Jochebed hide her precious son? Does his only chance for survival lay with the Pharaoh’s own daughter? Can Jochebed convince her to raise him to worship the one true God?

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Biblical, Adult Fiction

254 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2019

About the author

Carole Towriss and her husband live just north of Washington, DC. In between making tacos and telling her four children to pick up their shoes for the third time, she writes, watches chick flicks, and waits for summertime to return to the beach.

Reviews

[Katherine Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story! I really love all the emotions in it. You always read about how Moses' mother put him in a basket but you never realize how hard that would have been for a mother. And you also don't think of the Egyptian princess's point of view either. This is a must read.

[Lakeesha Broughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very easy read. It focuses on a time when The king had ordered all baby’s killed in order to protect his thrown. It is a Christian fiction read so some of the information is taken from the Bible while some is a little made up. I really enjoyed it because it stuck very close to the Bible version of Moses and what his family did to protect him from the Egyptian King.

[Michele Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if I were not a woman of faith, this would be an amazing book. A mix of history, differences in how the Egyptians and slaves lived, ate, worshipped, and raised their children. Also, how our own emotions can cloud how we view the actions of others.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fictionalized story of Moses’s mother, Jochebed. The interpretation was interesting to see another viewpoint of how Moses might have been raised.

[Diane Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book which makes you think about how difficult it was for Jochebed to put Moses in that basket and trust in God. Each year, my students actually rewrite this story, but I have never thought that deeply about it. I enjoyed all the Egyptian palace scenes and loved the theme of how this mother had to let go and trust God. She also had to be grateful for her other children. The story was very believable. I also didn’t realize that we don’t know who was pharaoh at this time! All the facts at the end were a plus! I’ll be looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this story and would give it 3.5 stars. The story of Jochebed brought this section of scripture to life. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that these were living, feeling people with fears and faith fighting against each other. I loved feeling the heart of Moses mother and seeing her faith that she didn’t even realize she had.

[Wanda Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read. There a some details that the Bible doesn’t fill in on certain peoples life’s and this gives so insight on how it would have been for Moses mother. It is all speculative but still believable. Its a good read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have read several books about the story of Jochebed. It always fascinates me to see the different angle the author takes.

[Nancy Bruen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intriguing, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were memorable, and it was interesting to read a story from Jochebed's perspective. It really gave me a better understanding of her life and this time period. But if I was editing this book, however, there would be two pieces of advice I would give the author before publishing. 1. Don't be shy with the events. These were extremely difficult times for the Jewish people. They were treated horribly. Since the Bible does not hold back on terrible treatment in general, a book based on someone from the Bible shouldn't either. Of course it shouldn't be filled with guts and gore, but I would have liked for it to be more realistic. For example, what really happened to Hannah after she was taken away? Sharing what really would happened to her would be more realistic, and truer to the time period. 2. Make the setting come alive. I'm sure the author spent a lot of time studying this time period and its geography. Although I was able to visualize some of it through the descriptions, I feel like it could have been further developed. I want to be able to see, feel, taste, hear and smell the setting. This is what helps a reader get lost in a novel.

But thank you for bringing Jochebed's story to life. I really enjoyed getting to know her better.

[Ana Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a while now I’ve been wanting to start this book series where a lot of my favorite authors collaborated to write biblical fiction books about women from the Bible and I’m so glad that I finally got around to it.
It’s also been a long time since I’ve read a book by this author and I was reminded why I loved the other book I read by her.
The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of information about Moses’ mother Jochebed or about who was the Pharaoh of their time so it was interesting to read a book that gives us some more context that could have been real. Obviously we’ll probably never know for sure which Pharaoh ruled during their time or which Pharaoh’s daughter was the one that raised Moses as her own son because it all happened so long ago that history is hard to place in an exact timeline but it was cool to see a possible scenario.
The struggles that Jochebed must have gone through in having to relinquish control of her son and allow him to be raised by an Egyptian princess all while trusting that God had everything under His control. It couldn’t have been easy but God’s plans really are for the best.

[patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jochebed gives birth to a son. Pharaoh has ordered all Hebrew male newborns to be murdered. Jochebed tries to hide her son. She knows it is dangerous and will become more difficult to do as he gets older. Her husband Amram dreams that God has plans for their son, to trust God. The time comes and Jochebed had noted Egyptian women coming to the river. She weaves a basket and places her son in it and sets it out when the women come. The princess Beket finds the infant and decides he is to be her son. Jochebed's daughter Miriam offers to find a wet nurse for the baby Beket calls Moses. Jochebed comes to the palace each day to nurse and care for her baby. God has told Amram that the child will lead his people out of bondage and to teach him about the god of his people. Amram trusts the words of God. Jochebed is not so sure, but she has mother's heart and loves her son. Although not much is known about the real parents of Moses Carol Towriss fills out what is known. A Mother's Sacrifice demonstrates trusting in God and His plan. Something that Jochebed had to learn to do.

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until A Mother's Sacrifice, I had never read Carole Towriss' work. However, this rich novella impressed me. Most of the Ordinary Women of the Bible collection, in fact, has blown me away in the year I've been reading it. I dislike having to craft all my reviews again (they were destroyed because another site locked me out arbitrarily). But I do appreciate the opportunity to revisit plenty of wonderful books.

Jochebed doesn't get much attention in Scripture. Sometimes, she isn't mentioned at all, depending on which translation you read. Yet, Exodus makes clear she was an incredible woman and mother who was willing to do anything for any of her three children, even if it shattered her heart. Carole Towriss takes that basic portrait and crafts an accurate, deftly written version of what life may have looked like for Jochebed, Amram, and their kids.

Of course, A Mother's Sacrifice centers a lot on Moses, infant though he is in this story. Yet what stands out to me is Miriam and Aaron. They're very young here, young enough that it might've been easy for their parents to say, "They don't understand what's happening." Yet they, Miriam especially, step up in huge ways to protect their little brother and their whole family. At the same time, they're still children who struggle with, for example, Mom being gone so much and seeming to sacrifice two children for the sake of one. Add in the adult dynamics between Amram and Jochebed as they grapple with what to do once they have knowledge of what Yahweh wants, and you get an incredibly deep family story.

Additionally, kudos to Carole for bringing in elements that could well have influenced Jochebed's story and Biblical scholars have uncovered, such as a prophecy about Moses and the growth of Israel, the role of Bekhet, and the role of Egyptian religion in Moses' early life. I remember worrying for Jochebed, yet applauding her courage, when she continually stood up to Maia on that last score. I also loved Carole's subtle attention to the theme of what it means to be imma or muut through Jochebed's interactions with Bekhet, or even Miriam's crucial role in the story.

Finally, I want to point out Carole's expert interweaving of the theme of babyhood in A Mother's Sacrifice. Even before Moses is born, and certainly after, Carole and her characters give such attention and respect to babies and this stage of a person's growth. It's important of course, but I don't think I had ever considered it in such depth before. Granted, I haven't birthed a child yet, so there's that. But even if I had, I think I'd still have been impressed. The union of motherhood and babyhood themes is at once tender and raw, heartwarming and challenging to the core.

As I said, most books in this series are five stars, absolute winners and worth at least one read. I'm still amazed at that, because I don't often find novellas so arresting. This opener, though, distinguishes itself even in the midst of so many winners. It's a perfect start and will stick with you whether you're a mom, an aunt, a sister, a grandma, all of these, or somewhere in between.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak and Gratitude

Kebi, aka Jochebed, the Hebrew slave and birth mother of Moses, had to give up her newborn to preserve his life. While other sons were being taken and thrown into the Nile River to the crocodiles, Kebi saved her infant son's life by putting him in a basket boat, in hopes that a princess would find and take him as her own. What a sacrifice, yet her plan worked. He became a prince but never forgot the True God who his mother had taught him to honor. He became the leader of the Hebrew Nation, helping lead them out of Egypt and slavery, known as the great Exodus. Tears of joy and sadness mingle while reading this story. I wish the authors would write more books as a continuation of this fascinating story!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am intimate look inside

We know Moses mother hid him and gave him a chance at life by placing him in the very Nile that was meant to bring him a violent death. But how she must have suffered and sacrificed not only her heart but her time with her husband and other two children was never given much life in all the times this story was told to me.

I truly appreciated the intimate look into her heart, life, and family as well as the impact she must have had on the king's daughter that became her son's mother.

It is a heart gripping and eye opening story that left me forever changed.

[Emily Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this book had an interesting perspective on what Moses’ birth mother and adoptive mother may have gone through, this book just didn’t hit the mark for me. Almost every chapter and section ended in a rhetorical question, which got old. The plot was at times slow and repetitive. Also, the main character seemed immature and inconsistent with her beliefs. The historical aspect was very interesting, but I wished there was more Hebrew culture mentioned rather than the Egyptian culture. Additionally, I felt like there wasn’t closure with Miriam and Aaron, or even Kebi’s husband.

[Tracy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from Moses's mother's point of view. We all know the story of Moses, cast in the river as a baby by his mother in order to safe his life, Moses was found by the Pharoh's sister while she was bathing in the river. Raised as a prince of Egypt, Moses returns to his Hebrew roots as a middle aged man in order to free his people from slavery. Here is the story of how it all began, with a desperate mother's gift of life.

[Denise West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story made you think more of what happened to Moses and how he got there. We do not always
think about what his family went through and the strength and faith they had to let him go. Even though the story is fiction, it is nice to think there was a connection or mutual admiration between both women. This would definitely be a test of faith and putting your trust in God and his plan.

[Wendy Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st book of 2020. Grab this book and a box of tissues...it is so worth it! You will feel the anguish of Jochebed’s life and decisions. You will cry with her. Such an amazing look at this part of Moses’s story.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Moses mother Jochebed who saved her sons life and what it might have been like for her afterward. It is scripture based and the authors' imagination of what might have happened after she left him in the basket in the Nile River.

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love reading about women from the Bible. Even though some of this story is fictional, I still loved the story. I am looking forward to reading more of the Ordinary Women of the Bible books.

[Ulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was the story of baby Moses, his Mother, his family, and the Egyptian princess. The author took the Bible story and added details, and it is a work of fiction with Bible details. This is an easy read.

[Lynnette Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting story

This is a book to be enjoyed. There is so much to be learned. This Bible story comes to life through the author's words. An added addition of the Scriptures at the beginning of each chapter enhances the reading of this wonderful book.

[Cheryl Morgan Mcclary · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the Bible story

It was an interesting take on Jochebed’s life. She was an amazing woman, who played an important role in Moses’s life. Although there is not much about her life, it was fun to imagine that this could have been what it was like. Thanks for the great story.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story causes you to think more about what the whole situation was like for Moses’ mother. I appreciate that Towriss also made us think about the princess and what life was like for her and her possible motivations.

[Angela Sparks · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's thought provoking. As a mom it made me stop and think about what Jochebed went through.

[Carol & Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Nikita Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! This is my first read by this author, and I loved it! It's a nice writing style, similar to that of Jill Eileen Smith's.

[Beverly Towne · Rating 3 out of 5]

When one writes an entire book based on a few verses of scripture a lot of filler material has to be added. Who knows what is true? The author does seem to have done some good research though.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm finding a new appreciation for the women of the bible. What it must have been like to give up your son to the one family that ordered his death.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I can’t imagine having courage to give my child away like that. That took a lot of trust!