The Israelites, God’s chosen people, had made their way to Egypt (Genesis 46) because a severe famine (Genesis 41) had struck the land of Canaan (1875 BC). God had given them divine protection through Joseph, son of Jacob, in order to fulfill the promise that He would make a great nation from Abraham descendants (Genesis 12:1-3, 7); however, the nation of Israel’s future was being threatened by the king of Egypt. Israel had experienced tremendous growth since Jacob had traveled to Egypt (from 70 men to approximately 2 million people), but Pharaoh began to fear that their growth would lead to them joining an enemy nation to overtake Egypt (Exodus 1:8-9). Pharaoh attempted to control Israel’s population and power by placing them under intense slavery, but God continued to bless them with more power and people (1:10-14). When Pharaoh’s first plan didn’t work, he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill any males being born (1:15-16), but they refused and God blessed Israel with more growth (1:17-21). Finally in desperation Pharaoh demanded that his people seek out newborn males and kill them by throwing them into the river (1:22).
In the midst of this chaotic time for Israel, the reader is introduced to a child who is born to parents of the house of Levi (2:1-2a). After seeing that this child was beautiful, she hid him for three months, but when he could no longer be hidden his mother made a small ark and hid him in the river in order to protect those seeking to kill the child (2:2b-3). The child’s sister stood at the river and watched what would happen to the child (2:4). One day the daughter of Pharaoh came to the river to bathe and discovered the child hidden in the river (2:5-6a). She immediately knew he was a child of the Hebrews, but she had compassion on him and decided to raise him as her own son, whom she named Moses (2:6b-10). Not many details are given concerning Moses being raised in the house of Pharaoh, but one can assume that he was given many privileges; however, Hebrews 11:24-26 reveals that “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Although Moses was formally educated and had a royal “family” he never lost sight of being a part of the Israelite nation. God supernaturally protected Moses and would eventually turn this seemingly bad circumstance into good for the nation of Israel.
Dear God, may I always remember that You are at work even when it may not be evident with my eyes.
