'The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, 'When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools (2 large rocks), if it is a son, kill him; but if a daughter she shall live. Moses' mother conceived, 'When she saw he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch (means atonement or covering even as Christ has covered our sins) and put the child in it and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.' (Exodus 1:17-22)

'Miriam, with child-like insight, spoke to Pharaoh's daughter; 'Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you.' (2:7) Then the Princess commanded, 'Take this child (this potential national leader and deliverer) and nurse him for me, and I will give you wages. ' The woman took the child and nursed him.' Moses' mother taught him about the true eternal God; shaping the eager child, in his praying and thanking God. (2:7.8)

Hannah longed for a son, to devote him to the Lord. Elkanah her husband said, 'Why do you suffer from anorexia nervosa: why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart grieved? 'She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.'' 'Oh Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.' 'In the process of time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name, Samuel, 'Because I have asked him from the Lord.' (v20)

Hannah confirmed God's glorious overruling, 'For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of HIM. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord. They worshipped the Lord there.' In conception, the eternal God foresaw an awe-inspiring life. It is a physiological wonder, God- ordained in every phase of intra-uterine development.

In that delightful book, Ruth, we discover the marvellous truth of 'Goel', the Kinsman Redeemer, pointing to ultimate fulfilment in Christ as our Kinsman.(4:14 ) 'Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and may his name be famous in Israel.' He was the illustrious King David firstly: and finally the King of Kings, at whose feet, we willingly worship.

David, faithfully taught as a child by Jesse, asked. 'What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who should defy the armies of the living God?' This youth had the glorious distinction of routing the Philistines, and slaying the giant Goliath.

Josiah was a remarkable eight year old boy, who became king, and reigned 31 years in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 34:1-3) King David was his role model as 'he walked in his ways. He did not deviate to the right or the left. ' At 16 years, this spiritual teenager began to seek the ways of his father David, and in his 20th year, he reformed Judah and Jerusalem from the high places , wooden images, carved images, and moulded ones.' At this age, Josiah qualified for army life. As God's soldier, he reformed the worship of the nation. You are not too young for the Lord!

Queen Esther had been 'Brought up by Uncle Mordecai', who was a type of the Holy Spirit, who trained and guided his beloved niece. Esther was a type of our Lord Jesus, risking her life, when she informed the King that the evil Haman sought to do away with the entire Jewish race, from which our Lord Jesus would be born. Her cry, 'If I perish, I perish,' stirs hearts today. Only a teenager, mind you.

The youth Daniel underwent three intensive training years: and then served under 5 kings. He was prayerful, watchful, thankful and relieved when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace. Daniel remained resolute in old age resisting the king's decree to worship idols, enduring an unforgettable night with the starving but controlled lions. Faithful from boyhood until his 90's.

We anticipate the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:80) after Zechariah's prophecy, 'You, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins (vv 76, 77) The child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.' God's foretelling was strong, direct, and marvellously fulfilled in the birth of this special babe.

Jesus, the Son of God, was the son of Mary, and therefore, Son of Man. As a child in the Nazareth home, He was subject to them, while the whole universe was under His complete control. 'Simeon came by the Spirit into the temple. He took the child Jesus up in his arms, blessed God, saying, 'Lord now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word. My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.' (Luke 2:27-32) God's Salvation in the Babe.

Mother Eunice and grandmother Lois influenced young Timothy,' from a child you have known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation.' All scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. 'That the man of God may be complete.' The entire purpose of the Lord extends from childhood to full manhood.
Two generations of godly womanhood shaped Timothy's ministry: and the writer's.

Ian Bishop was a fast bowler for the famous West Indian cricket team. He devotedly loved the Lord Jesus. Every morning in the 5 day game on the Adelaide Oval, Ian prayed with his team mates that they would show the Spirit of Christ. He shared this extraordinary example to our grandsons and dear friends in our home. Young people need a role model, as Josiah. Who is yours? Are you a role model?