Exo 2:1-10 | KingComments | STEP | As an introduction to Exodus 2 it is good to read first the verses in Acts 7 and Hebrews 11 which refer to these verses: 17 But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19 It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. 20 It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21 And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23 But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one [of them] being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25 And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26 On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ 27 But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28 YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ 29 At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons. Hebrews 11:23-27 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. While the people sigh under the hard slave labor, God starts to work for their deliverance. Without the people being aware of this, the savior is born. Moses is born into the family of Amram and Jochebed ( ), both of whom are from the family of Levi. This is an important lesson for anyone who desires a spouse: it can only become a marriage that is to God’s glory if both are children of God, that is, they are both members of God’s family. It is an act of faith in that time, when every little boy is a child of death, to conceive a child. But this couple does not fear the king’s commandment ( ). When Moses is born, Jochebed sees with the eye of faith that this is a special child, that God has a plan for this child ( ). In this way we also may see our children whom we receive from God.

‏ Exodus 2:1-10

Introduction

As an introduction to Exodus 2 it is good to read first the verses in Acts 7 and Hebrews 11 which refer to these verses:

Acts 7:17-29

17 But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19 It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. 20 It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21 And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23 But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one [of them] being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25 And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26 On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ 27 But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28 YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ 29 At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

Hebrews 11:23-27

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

Birth of Moses

While the people sigh under the hard slave labor, God starts to work for their deliverance. Without the people being aware of this, the savior is born. Moses is born into the family of Amram and Jochebed (Exo 6:20), both of whom are from the family of Levi. This is an important lesson for anyone who desires a spouse: it can only become a marriage that is to God’s glory if both are children of God, that is, they are both members of God’s family.

It is an act of faith in that time, when every little boy is a child of death, to conceive a child. But this couple does not fear the king’s commandment (Heb 11:23). When Moses is born, Jochebed sees with the eye of faith that this is a special child, that God has a plan for this child (Acts 7:20). In this way we also may see our children whom we receive from God.

Moses Dropped off

What is beautiful to God cannot remain hidden. Jochebed brings Moses just to the place where the king of Egypt wanted this child, the place of death! But how does she do that? Faith never lacks resources. She puts him in a wicker basket (or box) that she makes waterproof by covering it with tar and pitch.

The basket is reminiscent of Noah’s ark. The word for ‘basket’ and for ‘ark’ is the same word in Hebrew. Both the basket and the ark save those in them from the dangers of the water. The word for pitch, which is also used to seal the ark (Gen 6:14), has to do with reconciliation. With her action Jochebed acknowledges as it were the judgment of death that rests on her child. But in the basket she has made a provision, so that the judgment does not affect him. When Jochebed puts Moses in the basket, she puts a whole people in that basket and saves a whole people.

If we have to entrust our children to the world and have to let them go, we can pray for them, which is to entrust them to God. God has given the Lord Jesus for them to be safe in Him. Certainly the child must come to personal faith in the Lord Jesus. But as parents we can pray for it.

Exactly according to God’s planning, the daughter of Pharaoh comes down to the river. He uses the tears of the baby to arouse pity in the daughter of Pharaoh.

Moses Comes to Court

Miriam, Moses’ sister, plays an indispensable role. It is also striking how many women play a role in God’s plan for Moses. First the midwives. Then the mother of Moses who prepares everything to put Moses in the Nile. Then Miriam goes on guard for her little brother and brings him back to his mother. Finally, the daughter of Pharaoh who finds Moses when she has gone to the Nile with her servants. She lets one of her maidens take him out of the water.

Miriam supports the purpose of her parents and can be used by God to fulfill His plan for Moses. Through her efforts, Moses received his first years of upbringing from his God-fearing parents. This upbringing does not miss its purpose: later Moses refuses to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Heb 11:24).

Moses is accepted as a son by the daughter of Pharaoh. She wants to raise him up as her own son (Acts 7:21). In the same way the world asserts a right on our children and wants to shape them according to its own model. But God makes sure that Moses is formed by his own parents before the daughter of Pharaoh can exert her influence. It shows how important the first years of a child's upbringing are.

God in this way mocks all the power of Pharaoh. He makes the wisdom of the world foolish (1Cor 1:20b). He uses Pharaoh’s wicked command to bring Moses to his court. That is God’s wisdom. God’s plan for His people is fulfilled not only in spite of Pharaoh, but even with the cooperation of Pharaoh, without his will or knowledge.