The Path: Exodus 2 SOAP Journal
- True North Church
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 7
Last year we set out on a mission to encourage daily scripture reading and time with God. After many challenges, we realized the ultimate challenge was a lack of resources to dive deep into the Word. So we created the Path Journal: A 365 day SOAP journal dedicated to reflection and encouragement. Each week we share an entry from a fellow "Pather", who is using this journal to grow in their own faith journey. Below we are sharing the reflection of Exodus 2:2-3.
Scripture: Exodus 2:2-3
"The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank."
Observation
Pharaoh made a decree to kill all Hebrew newborn boys, this was scary for all mothers, however Moses's mom chose to do something about it as she saw he was good and trusted God to protect him. She acted with bold faith and sacrificial love and hid him as long as she could until she couldn't any longer.
In Hebrews 11:23 we also hear the story of Moses be told. We learn of his parents who are described as fearful, but not fearful of the king's commands, but the Lord, the TRUE King. They believed in Him faithfully with their whole lives. Moses survived this dark time and lived a beautiful life because of one MAJOR thing his parents did, the only thing that is important in this world... they believed in God. Their surrender to the Lord protected Moses when they couldn't.
Application
Imagine if as parents we were told that our baby had to die and that was the law... would you do whatever it takes to hide your baby? Imagine hiding your baby in a river, not knowing WHO is going to protect them (yeah that's terrifying, my child can't even swim). That is the beauty of knowing God, because HE IS the ultimate protector.
The instincts Moses’s parents showed were completely natural. In a world full of fear and uncertainty, our deepest urge is to protect our children even if that means making great sacrifices. Most people think that God just doesn't understand but when it comes down to protecting and sacrificing, God knows this feeling all too well... to give up a Son (Jesus) and to make a great sacrifice to protect His children (us).
What can we do to be proactive in protecting our children? First, we can do the most important thing and that is BELIEVE in God and second, we can DEMONSTRATE that importance to our children DAILY.
The only way to experience true peace as a parent is to trust our child's future to God alone.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for showing us daily what it means to love sacrificially, not in fear of the world, but in complete trust in You. I pray these truths become deeply rooted in my family and carried on for generations. Help us to remember that no one else holds control over our lives, only You do. As Easter draws near, let us be reminded through Moses' story that You understand the sacrifice of a son more deeply than we ever could. Jesus, I pray that as my children grow, they would see and embrace the power of Your sacrifice, and let that be the fuel to boldly and joyfully praise of Your name.
Trusting God When We have to do Hard Things
Exodus 2:2–3 reminds us that sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is let go and trust God with what we love most. Moses’s mother didn’t know what would happen when she placed her baby in that basket, but she believed and knew God could do more than she ever could on her own. In moments where we feel like we aren't in control, and the darkness of the world overwhelms, may we have the same bold faith to release what we can’t carry and trust that God's already gone ahead of us.
Need more? We are praying and here for you. Keep journaling, keep seeking, and trust that God will never stop protecting you.
Don't know what the SOAP Method is?
SOAP provides a clear and meaningful way to dive deeper into scripture each day. Begin with Scripture, allowing God’s Word to speak directly to you. Move to Observation, noting what stands out and what God might be saying. Next, apply these truths to your life through Application, and finally, engage in Prayer, bringing your reflections before God. This method not only enriches your understanding but also equips you to live out the Word in your daily life.