◄ What Does Exodus 2:10 Mean? ►

Exodus is the second book of Moses, continuing the story of God's chosen people, the children of Israel, which began in Genesis. However, huge changes took place between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus. Many years had passed, and no longer do we find the Israelites prospering and enjoying their sojourn in Egypt. Joseph, whom God used to save many people from the terrible seven-year famine that struck the area, had died years before, and the Israelites were no longer highly favoured by Pharoah. No longer did they have access to the best Egypt could offer. Instead, we find God's people being subjugated and living in bondage under a cruel Pharoah who had enslaved them, making their lives bitter with difficult labour, and ruthlessly imposing all manner of work on them.

The new Egyptian king became so concerned about the increasing numbers and strength of the Israelites, that he eventually ordered all their baby boys to be thrown into the River Nile. In chapter 2, we are introduced to Moses, a Hebrew baby boy from the tribe of Levi, whose mother, Jochebed, managed to keep him hidden from the Egyptian soldiers for three months. Hebrews 11 gives us additional insight: "By faith," we read, "after Moses was born, he was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict."

It is interesting that his parents chose the waters of the Nile (where many Hebrew babies must have been drowned) to be the very place they hid him. This place of death became his place of deliverance. No doubt his parents intended to rescue him when it was safe, but God had other plans for this baby and He intervened in an amazing way. At the very moment Pharoah's daughter came to bathe in the water, the baby began to cry and was discovered by this important Egyptian lady. Her womanly heart softened and was filled with deep compassion towards the baby and she claimed him as her son. 

As the story progresses, we not only see the wonderful way God overruled the edict of the Egyptian king, but we recognise the irony, for the very victim of Pharoah's barbaric decree was to become his grandson whom God would one day use to save His people from their Egyptian overlords. To equip Moses for his future role in God's plan of redemption, we read in Acts 7: "Moses was beautiful in God’s sight. He was cared for in his father’s home for three months and when he was left outside, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted and raised him as her own son. So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his speech and actions." We see how God had ordained that his servant, Moses, would receive all the training he needed to perform the work that God had prepared for him to do. God equips each of us for the work he has for us if only we will trust him in ALL things.

But the Lord also saw the faith of Moses' parents, and their faith was rewarded for the princess gave the baby back to Jochebed and her husband, instructing her to nurse the child for her until he was older, and paying her to look after him. What joy it must have been for this mother to receive her baby back into her arms, to be able to care for him in safety for a season, and train him up in the way he should go. We read: "The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, 'Because I drew him out of the water.'"

What a vital role a mother has on the emotional and spiritual development of her children. No doubt these early childhood days with his mother, enabled Moses to be taught about his Jewish ancestry and to learn about the purpose and promises of God, before being educated in every aspect of Egyptian culture in preparation for his life's work. Before being given back to the princess, Moses not only grew physically, but he would grow in a knowledge of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel. As one theologian commented: "Thus the wisdom of Egypt was employed by the wisdom of God for the establishment of the kingdom of God." How wonderful it is to see God's plans and purposes being fulfilled in ways we least expect.

How important to remember that God is sovereign and He knows the way ahead far better than we do, especially when we are faced with an impossible task or a heartbreaking situation. May we be encouraged today by the reminder that God is our Almighty Lord who holds the universe in the palm of His hands, that He is in control of every situation, and that we can trust Him to work everything out for our good. May we be willing and ready to trust in Him in all things from this day forward knowing that He will take care of us and provide for us according to His will.

Loving Heavenly Father, how I thank You for Your Word, the truths within its pages, and the many lessons I can learn from both the Old and New Testaments. Thank You that You schedule every day of my life and that You know the end before the beginning. Help me to trust You in every area of my life, especially during those times when things appear to be out of control. Thank You for the lessons I can learn from the action and faith I see in the parents of Moses, who trusted their baby son into Your hands. What a comfort it is to know that You are my sovereign God Who holds the universe in the palm of Your hands. Thank You for Your love and grace towards me. In Jesus' name, AMEN.