And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Exodus 2 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's liberation, introducing Moses, the key figure God would use to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. After the grim decree of Pharaoh to eliminate Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22), this chapter unfolds a story of divine irony, hidden faith, and the early preparation of a leader. It's a chapter brimming with hope, demonstrating God's providential care even in the darkest of times, and setting the stage for the dramatic events to follow. This chapter is rich with SEO keywords like Exodus 2, Moses, Deliverance, Egypt, and Slavery.
A Hidden Life (Exodus 2:1-4)
The chapter opens with the birth of Moses to Amram and Jochebed, members of the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:20). In defiance of Pharaoh's cruel edict, Jochebed hides her son for three months, showcasing remarkable faith and courage (Hebrews 11:23). When she could no longer conceal him, she crafted a papyrus basket, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in the Nile River. This "ark" becomes a symbol of God's protection, reminiscent of Noah's ark, providing safety amidst a context of intended death.
Crucially, this was not a desperate act of abandonment. Moses' sister, Miriam (Exodus 15:20; Numbers 26:59), strategically watched from a distance, indicating a deliberate plan to ensure the baby's safety and potential rescue.
Providence at the Riverbank (Exodus 2:5-10)
Divine providence orchestrates the arrival of Pharaoh's daughter at the river to bathe. Discovering the infant, she recognizes him as a Hebrew child and is moved with compassion. Miriam seizes the opportunity, offering to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Unknowingly, Pharaoh's daughter agrees to pay Moses' own mother to care for him, a beautiful demonstration of God's sovereignty.
This act highlights how God can use even those in positions of power, like Pharaoh's daughter, to further His purposes. These women – the midwives, Moses' mother and sister, and even Pharaoh's daughter – were all instruments in God's hand, protecting and nurturing the child destined to bring about His kingdom purposes.
When Moses grew older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son and named him Moses, a name that likely connects to the idea of being "drawn out" of the water. Thus, the very decree intended to destroy Hebrew children became the means by which Moses was raised in the heart of the Egyptian court, receiving an education in "all the wisdom of the Egyptians" (Acts 7:22). The irony is profound: the future deliverer of Israel was being nurtured under the nose of the oppressor. It's important to note that, contrary to some depictions, the biblical text suggests that Moses was always aware of his Hebrew heritage.
Choosing Sides (Exodus 2:11-15)
As an adult, Moses went out to observe the suffering of his people. Seeing an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, Moses, around the age of forty (Acts 7:23), intervened and killed the Egyptian. He buried the body, likely believing his actions were concealed. However, the next day, when he attempted to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, one of them questioned his authority and alluded to the killing of the Egyptian.
The exposure of his deed led to fear, and when Pharaoh learned of it, he sought to kill Moses. Moses fled to Midian, a land east of the Gulf of Aqaba in modern-day Saudi Arabia, marking a significant turning point in his life. Moses had miscalculated, attempting to do a right thing in the wrong way, lacking God's timing and perspective. His well-intentioned but impulsive act resulted in him becoming a fugitive.
A Shepherd in Exile (Exodus 2:16-22)
In Midian, Moses demonstrated his character by defending the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), a priest, from abusive shepherds. Reuel invited Moses to stay with them, and he eventually married Zipporah, Reuel's daughter. They had a son, Gershom, whose name reflects Moses' status as a "stranger in a foreign land."
From being raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses' life took a dramatic turn. He became a shepherd in the wilderness, a seemingly insignificant role compared to his previous position. However, God was working behind the scenes, using this time of obscurity to prepare Moses for his future calling. Sometimes, God needs to take us low before He can take us high, humbling us and refining our character.
God Hears and Remembers (Exodus 2:23-25)
After a long period, the Pharaoh who had sought Moses' death died. However, the Israelites' suffering continued. Their cries of anguish reached God, and He "heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob" (Exodus 2:24).
This verse underscores the faithfulness of God to His promises. Despite the passage of time and the apparent hopelessness of the situation, God had not forgotten His covenant. He saw the plight of His people and knew their suffering. Their cries connected with God's word of promise, setting the stage for divine intervention. Even as they cried out, God was preparing a deliverer in Moses. This chapter ends with God "saw the people of Israel—and God knew" (Exodus 2:25), a powerful affirmation of His active involvement in their lives and His imminent action to fulfill His covenant. The Israelites' bitter bondage forced them to cry out, and sometimes that's what it takes for us to call on God.
Exodus 2 is a testament to God's providential care, His faithfulness to His promises, and His ability to use ordinary people in extraordinary ways. It's a story of hope, resilience, and the dawning of deliverance for a people in desperate need.
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Exodus 2 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's liberation, introducing Moses, the key figure God would use to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. After the grim decree of Pharaoh to eliminate Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22), this chapter unfolds a story of divine irony, hidden faith, and the early preparation of a leader. It's a chapter brimming with hope, demonstrating God's providential care even in the darkest of times, and setting the stage for the dramatic events to follow. This chapter is rich with SEO keywords like Exodus 2, Moses, Deliverance, Egypt, and Slavery.
A Hidden Life (Exodus 2:1-4)
The chapter opens with the birth of Moses to Amram and Jochebed, members of the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:20). In defiance of Pharaoh's cruel edict, Jochebed hides her son for three months, showcasing remarkable faith and courage (Hebrews 11:23). When she could no longer conceal him, she crafted a papyrus basket, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in the Nile River. This "ark" becomes a symbol of God's protection, reminiscent of Noah's ark, providing safety amidst a context of intended death.
Crucially, this was not a desperate act of abandonment. Moses' sister, Miriam (Exodus 15:20; Numbers 26:59), strategically watched from a distance, indicating a deliberate plan to ensure the baby's safety and potential rescue.
Providence at the Riverbank (Exodus 2:5-10)
Divine providence orchestrates the arrival of Pharaoh's daughter at the river to bathe. Discovering the infant, she recognizes him as a Hebrew child and is moved with compassion. Miriam seizes the opportunity, offering to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Unknowingly, Pharaoh's daughter agrees to pay Moses' own mother to care for him, a beautiful demonstration of God's sovereignty.
This act highlights how God can use even those in positions of power, like Pharaoh's daughter, to further His purposes. These women – the midwives, Moses' mother and sister, and even Pharaoh's daughter – were all instruments in God's hand, protecting and nurturing the child destined to bring about His kingdom purposes.
When Moses grew older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted him as her son and named him Moses, a name that likely connects to the idea of being "drawn out" of the water. Thus, the very decree intended to destroy Hebrew children became the means by which Moses was raised in the heart of the Egyptian court, receiving an education in "all the wisdom of the Egyptians" (Acts 7:22). The irony is profound: the future deliverer of Israel was being nurtured under the nose of the oppressor. It's important to note that, contrary to some depictions, the biblical text suggests that Moses was always aware of his Hebrew heritage.
Choosing Sides (Exodus 2:11-15)
As an adult, Moses went out to observe the suffering of his people. Seeing an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, Moses, around the age of forty (Acts 7:23), intervened and killed the Egyptian. He buried the body, likely believing his actions were concealed. However, the next day, when he attempted to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, one of them questioned his authority and alluded to the killing of the Egyptian.
The exposure of his deed led to fear, and when Pharaoh learned of it, he sought to kill Moses. Moses fled to Midian, a land east of the Gulf of Aqaba in modern-day Saudi Arabia, marking a significant turning point in his life. Moses had miscalculated, attempting to do a right thing in the wrong way, lacking God's timing and perspective. His well-intentioned but impulsive act resulted in him becoming a fugitive.
A Shepherd in Exile (Exodus 2:16-22)
In Midian, Moses demonstrated his character by defending the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), a priest, from abusive shepherds. Reuel invited Moses to stay with them, and he eventually married Zipporah, Reuel's daughter. They had a son, Gershom, whose name reflects Moses' status as a "stranger in a foreign land."
From being raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses' life took a dramatic turn. He became a shepherd in the wilderness, a seemingly insignificant role compared to his previous position. However, God was working behind the scenes, using this time of obscurity to prepare Moses for his future calling. Sometimes, God needs to take us low before He can take us high, humbling us and refining our character.
God Hears and Remembers (Exodus 2:23-25)
After a long period, the Pharaoh who had sought Moses' death died. However, the Israelites' suffering continued. Their cries of anguish reached God, and He "heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob" (Exodus 2:24).
This verse underscores the faithfulness of God to His promises. Despite the passage of time and the apparent hopelessness of the situation, God had not forgotten His covenant. He saw the plight of His people and knew their suffering. Their cries connected with God's word of promise, setting the stage for divine intervention. Even as they cried out, God was preparing a deliverer in Moses. This chapter ends with God "saw the people of Israel—and God knew" (Exodus 2:25), a powerful affirmation of His active involvement in their lives and His imminent action to fulfill His covenant. The Israelites' bitter bondage forced them to cry out, and sometimes that's what it takes for us to call on God.
Exodus 2 is a testament to God's providential care, His faithfulness to His promises, and His ability to use ordinary people in extraordinary ways. It's a story of hope, resilience, and the dawning of deliverance for a people in desperate need.