13. Jochebed
One of the greatest Biblical stories of cleverness and love is that of Jochebed, mother of Moses. In an era where the Pharaohs of Egypt were oppressing the descendants of Israel, the Pharaoh decreed that all Israelite sons were to be thrown in the Nile, as he feared they would grow up to be strong enough to overthrow his line. Jochebed, who dearly loved her youngest son Moses, managed to hide him for three months but knew the ruse couldn’t hold up much longer. She made the agonizing decision to send him down the Nile in a basket made of reeds.
Her daughter, Miriam, watched her younger brother float down the water. His basket was found by the kind, caring daughter of the Pharaoh. Miriam jumped out and offered to help her find a nurse for the boy, whom the daughter of the Pharaoh quickly loved as a brother. Jochebed’s cleverness and faith in the love of God to protect her son enabled the savior of the Israelites to grow to adulthood, at which point he would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and oppression.