1526 BC, Goshen

Jochabed got up early to make her husband's breakfast. A few minutes later, Amram got up to yet another long day of slavery. Today, however, as for the last few days, he had more than his usual troubles on his mind.

His wife was 9 months pregnant. Due any day now. He prayed almost constantly for God's protection.

"Good morning," Jochabed greeted.

"Morning," Amram replied. "How are you?"

"Alright," she replied.

After eating his breakfast – some bread, with a boiled egg – he got up to go to work like he always did. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Amram, I'm fine," was his wife's response. He smiled, kissed her on the cheek, and walked out the door.

"I'd better go wake Miriam and Aaron up," she muttered to herself.

Just then, she heard a couple of groggy "good morning"s from behind her. She turned and smiled as her two children sleepily emerged from the bedroom.

"Good morning, sleepyheads," Jochabed cheerfully greeted them. "Ready for breakfast?"

"I suppose," Miriam replied. Jochabed started to prepare it.

"Mum," Aaron piped up, "tell Miriam not to roll on me during the night!"

"Well, tell Aaron not to snore!" Miriam responded.

"You two!" their mother said in exasperation as she laid their breakfasts on the table. Then she frowned and felt her large tummy.

"What is it, Mum?" Miriam asked.

"Nothing," Jochabed replied, and went to get her own breakfast.

Later that morning, Jochabed was giving her children a lesson from the Scriptures. "'"Behold now the Behemoth, which I made along with you..."' Do either of you know what the Behomoth is?"

Before either one could answer, Jochabed suddenly lurched, and water spilled on the floor. Her water had broken!

"Mummy?" asked a concerned Miriam.

"I'm fine, darling," her mother responded. "Why don't you two go outside and play for awhile? I'll clean up here."

Aaron immediately jumped up and ran out the door gleefully. Miriam was a little slower, however, eyeing her mother worriedly.

Jochabed smiled at her reassuringly. "I'll be fine, dear. Now go and have fun." With that, Miriam turned and left.

Jochabed cleaned up the water. But she was puzzled. She was clearly going into labour. She could feel the baby moving. But she felt practically no pain! It was almost as if she was having a painless birth.

Suddenly, it hit her. That's EXACTLY what was happening! Yehovah was giving her a near-painless birth!

Jochabed almost laughed out loud. God was protecting herself, her baby, and her family!

Jochabed rested as much as she could during the morning. She could feel the contractions. She could feel the baby coming. But she still felt practically no pain! She spent most of the morning reading the Book of Enoch, which made her feel at peace.

At midday, while having lunch, there was a knock at the door. Jochabed – who could easily walk - went to the door and answered it. "Hello, Hannah."

"Hello, Jochabed," Hannah, the family's neighbour, replied. "I brought you some grapes."

"Oh, thank you," Jochabed replied as she accepted them. "Won't you come in?"

"No," she said after a pause. "I'd better not."

"Are you sure?" Jochabed asked.

Hannah's face was set. "No." and with that, she turned and left.

Jochabed looked after her with concern. A few months ago, Hannah had given birth to a boy, who was thrown in the Nile almost immediately afterward. Neither she nor her husband had resisted, for the sake of their 5 older children. But it had scarred them more than anyone could know. Ever since then, Hannah had been rather funny around Amram and Jochabed, knowing they were expecting. Jochabed prayed daily for her and her family.

As late afternoon approached, Jochabed knew that birth was near. While not painful, the contractions were more and more frequent and intense. As she set out dinner, she knew it was time. As her children sat down to eat, she went into the bedroom to prepare blankets etc.

A few minutes later, Amram came home. His children ran up to him yelling "Daddy!"

Amram, tired as he was, hugged his children. He then called out, "Jochabed!"

"I'm here," she called from the bedroom.

He walked in. "How was your day?"

"Dear..." Jochabed replied, lying on the bed, "it's happening."

It took Amram a couple of seconds to comprehend. His eyes widened, and he quickly knelt down beside her and asked, "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes, Amram, I'm fine," Jochabed smiled. "Yehovah has been keeping away the pain. But he's about to come out."

Half an hour later, Jochabed was pushing hard. The kids were in the other room, reading and playing, completely oblivious to what was going on. Being a virtually painless birth, Jochabed was able to keep fairly quiet.

The baby was almost through! Just a few more pushes. Jochabed couldn't help but give a groan. Amram promptly placed his hand over her mouth so that no-one would hear.

One more push.

The baby came out.

Amram picked up his newborn child. "It's a boy," he said happily. He handed the child to his mother.

Jochabed held her newborn son lovingly. Amram went into the other room and quietly whispered, to Miriam and Aaron, "Come and meet your new baby brother." They came in quietly but excitedly.

"What are we gonna call him?" Aaron asked.

"I honestly don't know," Amram replied, then smiled at his wife. "But I'm sure Yehovah will show us in His good time."