The story of Moses' early life in Exodus 2 is a captivating narrative that weaves themes of divine providence, human courage, and the unfolding of God's plan for His people. It begins in a time of great peril for the Israelites, who were living under the oppressive rule of Pharaoh in Egypt. The Israelites had grown numerous, and Pharaoh, fearing their increasing numbers, ordered that every newborn Hebrew boy be thrown into the Nile River to curb their population growth (Exodus 1:22).
Amidst this backdrop of fear and oppression, a Levite woman named Jochebed gave birth to a son. Recognizing that her child was special and beautiful, she hid him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's edict (Exodus 2:2). However, as the child grew, it became increasingly difficult to conceal him. In a desperate and courageous act of faith, Jochebed crafted a basket out of papyrus reeds, coated it with tar and pitch to make it waterproof, and placed her baby inside. She then set the basket among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River, entrusting her child to God's care (Exodus 2:3).
This poignant scene is a testament to Jochebed's faith and the lengths to which she went to preserve her son's life. The basket, floating on the waters of the Nile, symbolizes both the peril and the providence that would characterize Moses' life. The Nile, which was meant to be an instrument of death for the Hebrew boys, instead became the means of Moses' deliverance.
As the basket drifted, it was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, who had come to the river to bathe. Upon seeing the crying baby, she felt compassion for him, recognizing that he was one of the Hebrew children (Exodus 2:6). This moment is crucial, as it highlights the unexpected ways in which God works. Pharaoh's own daughter, a member of the very household that sought to destroy the Hebrew boys, became the instrument of Moses' salvation.
Pharaoh's daughter decided to adopt the baby as her own, but she needed a nurse to care for him. At this point, Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, bravely approached Pharaoh's daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. With her consent, Miriam fetched her mother, Jochebed, who was then able to care for her own son under the protection of Pharaoh's household (Exodus 2:7-9). This remarkable turn of events not only ensured Moses' survival but also allowed him to be nurtured by his biological mother during his formative years.
When the child grew older, Jochebed brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son and named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). The name Moses, which means "drawn out," is profoundly significant. It foreshadows Moses' future role in drawing the Israelites out of the waters of oppression in Egypt and leading them towards the Promised Land.
Moses' upbringing in Pharaoh's court provided him with a unique position and perspective. He was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action (Acts 7:22). Yet, despite his privileged position, Moses never forgot his Hebrew roots. This dual identity would later become a source of inner conflict and a catalyst for his mission.
As Moses grew into adulthood, he became increasingly aware of the suffering of his people. One day, he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. In a moment of righteous anger, Moses intervened and killed the Egyptian, hiding his body in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12). This act of violence, though driven by a sense of justice, forced Moses to flee from Egypt when Pharaoh sought to kill him for his actions (Exodus 2:15).
Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he encountered the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), the priest of Midian. After defending them from shepherds who were harassing them, Moses was welcomed into Reuel's household and eventually married his daughter, Zipporah (Exodus 2:16-21). Moses' time in Midian was a period of transformation and preparation. He became a shepherd, tending the flocks of his father-in-law, and started a family. This phase of his life was marked by humility and obscurity, in stark contrast to his earlier years in Pharaoh's court.
The chapter concludes with a poignant reminder of the larger narrative at play. During Moses' time in Midian, the king of Egypt died, but the Israelites continued to groan under their bondage and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery reached God, who remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:23-24). This sets the stage for the next phase of Moses' life and mission, as God prepares to call him to deliver His people from their oppression.
The story of Moses' early life in Exodus 2 is a profound testament to God's providence and the intricate ways in which He orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes. From the faith and courage of Jochebed to the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter, and from Moses' privileged upbringing to his exile in Midian, every detail is woven together to prepare Moses for his ultimate calling. This narrative invites us to reflect on the ways in which God works through ordinary people and circumstances to bring about extraordinary outcomes. It challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty and to recognize that even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, He is at work, drawing us towards His greater plan and purpose.
