|
Exodus 2:1-10
Our story begins with the exciting birth of a baby boy, but in the background lurks an
angry Egyptian king, also known as a pharaoh. At one time the Hewbrew people
(Israelites) had been welcomed guests in Egypt , but as their numbers grew, the mood in
Egypt changed. The new pharaoh felt threatened by the Hewbrews, so he ordered the
death of all their male children, saying "Every boy that is born. . .you shall throw into the
Nile, but you shall let every girl live." (Exodus 1:22)
Moses' mother faced Pharaoh's order with the strength of God and with a carefully thought
out plan, she used the waters of the Nile as a means of salvation, rather than a means of
death.
Moses' mother carefully waterproofed a basket with tar-like substances called bitumen and
pitch. She then placed her son inside and set the basket in the water among the reeds along
the river bank. She also asked her daughter ( Moses' sister) to stand at a distance and
watch as Pharaoh's daughter approached the river. When Pharaoh's daughter discovered
the basket, Moses' sister was anxious about what would happen. Forutnately, Pharaoh's
daughter took pity on the crying baby. Even though the baby was Hebrew, she wanted the
boy to live. Immediately Moses' sister offered a plan; she just happened to know of a
woman who could serve as the child's nurse. With a twist of what can only be called God's
providence, Pharaoh's daughter hired Moses' mother to nurse him for her. Pharaoh's
daughter stood ready to claim him as her child. Taking him to Pharaoh's household, she
named him Moses, which means "one who was drawn from". The name was true enough,
he was not only drawn from the waters of the Nile, but also away from his family.
Next Week:
God Calls Moses |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
