INTRODUCTION

FAITH BEGETS FAITH - faith in families is evident in Scripture and history.

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." (KJV)

Amram's and Jochebed's faith produced a ministering family. (Acts 7:17-22 ). God reminded Israel of a striking fact regarding their deliverance from Egypt.

Micah 6:4 "... I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (KJV)

	MOSES - was a prophet - he delivered precepts.
	AARON - was a high priest - he came in prayer before God.
	MIRIAM - was a prophetess - she led praises before God.

Parents provided the background teaching to develop this leadership. Between them their children supplied all the spiritual needs of the pilgrim nation:

	Precepts to guide.
	Prayers to gladden.
	Praises to glorify God.

1. THEIR FAITH PRODUCED A PROPHET THAT GUIDED GOD'S PEOPLE

He was a divinely chosen person, to be a speaker for, and of God. Like Ezekiel later described his own prophetic ministry.

Ezekiel 7:1 "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," (KJV)

A prophet is one speaking forth truth for another. Just as Aaron was Moses' "prophet" or spokesman.

Exodus 7:1 "And the LORD said unto Moses, ... Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet." (KJV)

A prophet sees and speaks God's mind and will and purpose, who inspires and exhorts God's people with God's word to do God's word.

Hebrews 1:1 "God, ... spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," (KJV)

Among the ascended Lord's gifts to the church today.

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (KJV)

Prophets who speak words which do not originate in their own minds.

2 Peter 1:21 "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (NKJV)

Today the ministry of prophecy edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:3-5 "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." (KJV)

All who are truly used by the Holy Spirit never exhort at variance with the Scriptures.

Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (KJV)

Moses was outstanding as the spokesman of God - for God. Remember the school for this prophetic ministry was the home of Amram and Jochebed. That Moses parents received revelation concerning him is clear from:

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." (KJV)

Not by sentiment or natural reasoning, but- "by faith".

Now Romans 10:17 teaches us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God", therefore revelation must have been received. The word of God formed the foundation of their confidence. They knew ABRAM'S PROPHECY of Genesis 15. God's covenant that He would give the land of Canaan to his seed (Genesis 15:7, 13, 14, 18 ). They knew Joseph's prediction:

Genesis 50:24 "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." (KJV)

Though unrecorded, they must have received definite word from the Lord regarding Moses.

Acts 7:20 "In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, ..." (KJV)

Beauty in itself is no sign of excellence:

1 Samuel 16:7 "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (KJV)

Moses was pleasing therefore, "beautiful to God" - his parents discerned by faith the purpose of the Lord. When children are exposed to such inspired teaching in the home, they are vessels prepared for the Master's use. Precepts of God were passed on to the child Moses. Precepts from God were passed on by Moses to God's people.

Schooling our children in the prophetic ministry:-

	By teaching them (through example) to expect direct communication from heaven.
	By bringing them early into a release of the Spirit's power.
	By practicing in family devotions - listening to God and sharing what the Lord is revealing.
	By checking all that is received, by the written word of God.
	By teaching them to accept that God uses people of "like passions as we are" (James 5:17 KJV ).

2. THEY PRODUCED AARON THE PRIEST WHO GLADDENED BY PRAYER

At Sinai God instructed Moses to tell His chosen people that He had chosen them to be,

Exodus 19:6 "... a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation ..." (KJV)

But afraid of close nearness to God, Israel renounced such a high calling and God accepted their renunciation of priestly obligation. Thus the Aaronic priesthood became the temporary depository of Israel priesthood until Christ the anti-typical High Priest came. The Lord Jesus today is the High Priest upon His throne.

Zechariah 6:13 "... and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; ..." (KJV)

And His people like Him are a kingdom of priests.

1 Peter 2:9 "... a royal priesthood, ..." (KJV)

The royal priesthood are those to whom Jesus Christ is precious - who are chosen to declare the praises of the one who has called them from darkness to light. As priests they offer the sacrifices of praise continually to God. The Aaronic priesthood characteristics set forth our own.

	He was chosen of God.
	He was the property of God.
	He was to be holy unto God.
	He offered sacrifices and gifts to God: Hebrews 5:1-5 "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: ... And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; ..." (KJV)
	He taught the people about God.
	He prayed for the people of God: "Offering incense" - symbolising prayer, was exclusively the priest's duty. (2 Chronicles 26:18; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 18:13 ).

Whereas we are all priests, there are those specially used in prayer and intercession. Again, we can help produce Aarons in our homes, for God. Amram and Jochebed were clearly people of prayer - we must teach our children to pray.

	By seeing our love for prayer.
	By turning every happening to prayer.
	By turning every need to prayer.

We need to school this generation in prayer that we might break the bands of wickedness.

3. THEY PRODUCED MIRIAM THE PROPHETESS WHO GLORIFIED BY PRAISES

Miriam heralded forth the victory of the Lord over Pharaoh and his hosts.

Exodus 15:20,21 "And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." (KJV)

	She led the women in praise (What greater blessing today?)
	She led praise to the Lord (praise was Lord-centered).
	She led praise that He had triumphed gloriously. (Calvary's victory will be celebrated eternally).
	She led praise of the Lord's overthrow of evil (Satan will be cast into the lake of fire).

Did Miriam learn to praise at the thanksgiving service held in the home by the parents, after Moses was saved and given to them to nourish? How wonderful to be able to produce leaders of praise to glorify God, even in our homes. Is your home filled with praise to God?

God used families in the New Testament: Peter and Andrew. James and John. Matthew and his twin Thomas. Two brothers after the flesh, of our Lord, James and Jude. Aquila and Priscilla. Andronicus and Junia. Tryphena and Tryphosa. (twin sisters).

In modern times:- The Wesley family - the Booth family - the Jeffries family. My eldest is the fifth generation of our family serving full time.

An open secret: Behind Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, was the faith of Amram and Jochebed, parents whose faith placed them in the gallery of heroes.

Begin now to prepare your children to become leaders in serving the Lord, by:

	Surrounding them with love.
	Supporting them with prayer.
	Instructing them in God's Word.
	Enlightening them in God's ways.
	Inspiring them with a noble example of faith and commitment.

As Exodus gives emphasis to the part the mother of Moses played, mother's remember, a special trust is committed to you. Eternity will reveal what has been accomplished by godly mothers.

Dr Campbel Morgan had four sons - all of whom became ministers. A friend at the family re-union asked, "Which of you Morgans is the best preacher?" The eldest son, with a sly look at his father promptly replied, "Mother."

Faith in families is God's plan by which He accomplishes His purposes.