Exodus 2
Exodus 2:1-4: The Birth of Moses This passage tells how Moses, who would become Israel’s deliverer, was born into the tribe of Levi. His birth happened during a time of great danger for Hebrew boys in Egypt because of Pharaoh’s cruel orders. God’s timing is seen in Moses’ birth, just as the Israelites’ troubles were greatest. Moses’ parents showed faith and courage by trying to protect him, and their actions set the stage for God’s plan to save His people.v. 1: Moses was born to parents from the tribe of Levi (v. 1 a). This is important because Levi’s tribe had been marked by Jacob for trouble (Gen. 49:5 b), yet God chose Moses from this tribe to do something great. This points forward to Jesus, who also came in humble circumstances. v. 2: Moses’ mother had a baby boy and saw that he was a special and beautiful child (v. 2; Acts 7:20 c). She hid him for three months, risking her own life. This happened because Pharaoh’s law ordered all Hebrew boys to be killed. Sometimes, what we fear most can become our greatest blessing. God often gives early signs that He will use someone for a special purpose, as He did with Samson (Judg. 13:24,25 d), Samuel (1 Sam. 2:18 e), and David (1 Sam. 17:37 f), and Timothy (1 Tim. 3:15 g). Moses’ parents acted in faith, trusting God’s promise for Israel (Heb. 11:23 h). Like Jesus, Moses was hidden as a baby to escape a ruler’s cruelty (Matt. 2:13 i). v. 3: When Moses’ mother could no longer hide him, she made a basket from bulrushes, coated it with tar and pitch, and placed the baby in it by the river’s edge (v. 3 j). This was a difficult choice, but it was done in faith. Sometimes, we must trust God’s care when we have no other options. v. 4: Moses’ sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him (v. 4 k). God led the family to do this so that Moses would be found by Pharaoh’s daughter, which would fulfill God’s bigger plan to save Israel. God cares for those who are abandoned and protects them, as seen in other parts of Scripture (Ps. 147:2; Isa. 16:4 l; Ps. 27:10 m). In times of trouble, it is good to trust in God’s providence. When we cannot do anything else, we should leave things in God’s hands and trust Him for the outcome. Exodus 2:5-10: The Deliverance of Moses This passage tells how Moses was rescued from danger and raised in Pharaoh’s household. God’s providence is clear in every detail—Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter, cared for by his own mother, and given a place of honor in Egypt. Even though Pharaoh wanted to destroy the Hebrew boys, God used Pharaoh’s own family to save the one who would later deliver Israel. This story shows how God can use unexpected people and situations to fulfill His plans.vv. 5-6: Pharaoh’s daughter came to the river to wash, and her servants walked along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to get it. When she opened it, she saw the baby crying and felt compassion for him, realizing he was a Hebrew child (vv. 5, 6 n). God moved her heart to pity the helpless baby. This shows that even people who seem like enemies can become helpers when God is at work (Ezek. 16:5,6; Ps. 22:9,10 o). – vv. 7-9: Moses’ sister quickly offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby, and Pharaoh’s daughter agreed. The girl brought Moses’ own mother, who was then paid to care for her own son (vv. 7-9 p). This was a great blessing for Moses’ family. God often arranges things so that those who trust Him are rewarded, just as Moses’ mother was able to care for her child without fear (1 Kings 3:27 q). – – v. 10: When Moses grew older, his mother brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her son. She named him Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water” (v. 10 r). Moses was raised in the Egyptian court, which gave him the education and experience he would need to lead Israel later (Acts 7:22 s). God sometimes lifts people from humble beginnings to places of great honor (Ps. 113:7,8 t). Moses’ Egyptian name and royal upbringing also pointed to a future when people from all nations would be blessed by God’s work (Isa. 19:25; Isa. 49:23 u). Exodus 2:11-15: Moses Slays an Egyptian; Rebukes a Contentious Hebrew This passage describes a turning point in Moses’ life. After growing up in Pharaoh’s palace for forty years, Moses decided to stand with his own people, the Israelites, instead of enjoying the privileges of Egypt. By defending a Hebrew slave and trying to settle a dispute between two Hebrews, Moses showed the character and leadership that God would later use to deliver Israel. However, his actions forced him to flee Egypt and find safety in Midian, where God would continue to prepare him for his future mission.v. 11: When Moses was grown, he went out to see the hard work his fellow Israelites were forced to do. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people (v. 11 v). Moses chose to care for his people instead of enjoying life as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Heb. 11:24-26 w). He showed great love and sympathy for the Israelites. v. 12: Moses looked around to make sure no one was watching and then killed the Egyptian who was hurting the Hebrew. He hid the body in the sand (v. 12 x). This act was a first sign of what Moses would do later against Egypt. He acted with caution and perhaps some fear, but God was beginning to use him to protect His people. v. 13: The next day, Moses saw two Hebrews fighting. He tried to stop the argument by speaking to the one who was wrong, asking why he was hitting his fellow Hebrew (v. 13 y). Moses was trying to make peace among his people, just as Jesus later taught His followers to do (Luke 9:46-50 z). v. 14: The man who was in the wrong replied, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses became afraid and realized that his action was known (v. 14 aa). Sometimes, even when we try to help, people do not accept correction or leadership. Moses now knew he was in danger. v. 15: When Pharaoh heard what Moses had done, he tried to kill him. So Moses fled to the land of Midian and sat down by a well (v. 15 ab). God used this time in Midian to prepare Moses for leading Israel later. Moses’ escape was not just for his safety, but also part of God’s plan. Even though he had left the palace, God was still guiding his life (Heb. 11:27 ac). Exodus 2:16-22: The Marriage of Moses This section describes how Moses found a new life in Midian after fleeing Egypt. Like his ancestor Jacob, Moses came as a stranger to a foreign land and was cared for by God’s providence. What seemed like a small event—helping some young women at a well—led to a great change in his life. God used this to give Moses a safe place and prepare him for his future mission. Sometimes, ordinary events become very important in God’s plan.v. 16: The priest of Midian, named Reuel, had seven daughters who came to draw water for their father’s sheep (v. 16 ad). Even though their father was a leader, his daughters were humble and hardworking. Their example shows that it is good for everyone, even those from important families, to do useful work. v. 17: When some shepherds tried to drive the women away from the well, Moses stood up for them and helped water their flock. Moses did not look down on simple work, even though he had grown up in a palace. He showed kindness and a love for justice by helping people in need. v. 18: When the daughters returned home earlier than usual, their father Reuel was surprised and asked how they finished so quickly (v. 18 ae). v. 19: The daughters explained that an Egyptian (Moses) had saved them from the shepherds and had helped water the flock (v. 19 af). Moses was mistaken for an Egyptian because of his appearance, which shows that strangers are often misunderstood. v. 20: Reuel asked his daughters why they left the man at the well and told them to invite him to eat with them (v. 20 ag). God used this act of kindness to reward Moses for helping his daughters. v. 21: Moses agreed to stay with Reuel, who later gave him his daughter Zipporah as a wife (v. 21 ah). God provided Moses with a safe home and a family in a new land. v. 22: Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have been a stranger in a strange land” (v. 22 ai). This name helped Moses remember his journey as a foreigner. Living as a shepherd in Midian taught Moses humility and trust in God, which prepared him for future leadership and for meeting with God on Mount Horeb. Exodus 2:23-25: Cry of the Oppressed Israelites This passage tells how the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt continued for a long time, even as one king died and another took his place. Their harsh slavery did not end, and the people finally cried out to God for help. God listened to their prayers, remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and began to act on their behalf. This moment prepares for the great deliverance that is about to take place, showing that God cares for His people and keeps His promises.v. 23: The Israelites’ bondage in Egypt continued, even after the death of the old Pharaoh. The people groaned under their heavy work and finally cried out to God because of their suffering (v. 23 aj). The Egyptians no longer killed their babies, but they kept the Israelites as slaves to profit from their labor. Every new king followed the same cruel ways. Sometimes, God allows suffering to last a long time for reasons we may not understand. When Moses was tempted to feel sorry for himself in Midian, he could remember that being a shepherd was better than being a slave in Egypt. v. 24: God heard the Israelites’ groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v. 24 ak). Although it seemed like God had forgotten them, He was always mindful of His promise (Lev. 26:42 al). God does not help His people because they deserve it, but because of His faithful promise. v. 25: God looked at the Israelites and cared deeply for them (v. 25 am). Moses had once looked with pity on the people (v. 11 an), but now God Himself was watching over them and preparing to help. The use of God’s name again and again in these verses shows that something great was about to happen. God was ready to act in a way that would show His power and love to everyone.
Copyright information for
MHM