At the end of chapter 1,
1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “All sons that are born you must throw into the river, but all daughters you may let live.”
Who won? God or Pharaoh? At the surface, it seemed that Pharaoh won because the midwives were skipped. All the people were commanded. The Hebrew baby boys would have no escape and were killed. God did spare at least 1 of them, and he was so important in the exit of the whole Hebrew race from Egypt. Once again, the main characters in the narrative of the rescue of Moses were all women:
Who won? God or Pharaoh? At the surface, it seemed that Pharaoh won because the midwives were skipped. All the people were commanded. The Hebrew baby boys would have no escape and were killed. God did spare at least 1 of them, and he was so important in the exit of the whole Hebrew race from Egypt. Once again, the main characters in the narrative of the rescue of Moses were all women:
(NET) The Bible has several stories about miraculous or special births and deliverances of those destined to lead Israel. Their impact is essentially to authenticate the individual’s ministry. If the person’s beginning was providentially provided and protected by the LORD, then the mission must be of divine origin too. In this chapter the plot works around the decree for the death of the children—a decree undone by the women.
2:2b When she saw that he was a healthy child, she hid him for three months.
[healthy] (NET) Or “fine”... The construction is parallel to phrases in the creation narrative (“and God saw that it was good,” Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 17, 21, 25, 31)... “She looked upon her child with a joy similar to that of God upon His creation.”
[healthy] (NET) Or “fine”... The construction is parallel to phrases in the creation narrative (“and God saw that it was good,” Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 17, 21, 25, 31)... “She looked upon her child with a joy similar to that of God upon His creation.”
2:3 But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and set it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile.
Obviously, no mother wanted her child to be killed by others. However, Pharaoh had already given out that command and it took a lot of courage to resist the king. From v.3, "no longer able to hide him..." we are confirmed that it was not easy to hide a crying baby for those 3 months. Moses' mother was brave. She was also clever and set him along the edge of the river Nile.
(NET) the idea of a mother putting a child by the river if she wants him to be found would have been fairly sensible, for that is where the women of the town would be washing their clothes or bathing. If someone wanted to be sure the infant was discovered by a sympathetic woman, there would be no better setting.
Reflection: Women might be overlooked, especially, in the ancient world. But God has reserved special places for women. In today's sermon, pastor quoted Titus 2, the passage that Paul reminded older women to mentor younger women. Whom do you mentor? In this new year, can you think about the special person(s) that God puts in your life so that you can mentor her (them)?
(2) The compassionate daughter of Pharaoh v.6
v.6 opened it, and saw the child—a boy, crying!—and she felt compassion for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
When Pharaoh's daughter opened the basket and saw baby Moses, she commented that, "This is one of the Hebrew's children" v.6, and then she stopped and did not say anything more. Perhaps she was contemplating whether she should defy the orders of Pharaoh.
(NET) What she felt for the baby was strong enough to prompt her to spare the child from the fate decreed for Hebrew boys. Here is part of the irony of the passage: What was perceived by many to be a womanly weakness—compassion for a baby—is a strong enough emotion to prompt the woman to defy the orders of Pharaoh.
Reflection: Do not underestimate the role of your compassion, it motivates us in a great way. In other words, we need to be careful about what we are compassionate about. Are we desiring God or are we desiring the world?
(3) The sister who solved the practical problem for the princess and made it easier for her to adopt Moses v.7.
Between the time of her contemplating and the princess' final decision to defy her father, 1 person helped to push her to adopt Moses, who was Moses' sister. From her suggestion, one can guess that was the practical issue that made the princess hesitate,
2:7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get a nursing woman for you from the Hebrews, so that she may nurse the child for you?” 2:8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes, do so.
Once the nursing mother was found, the decision was a done deal.
Why did that final push happen to be done by Moses' sister? Because she kept watched for him v.4. She was there all the time.
2:4 His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.
2:4 His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.
Reflection: In-zu encouraged us this morning (in children's message) about being faithful in little things (luke 16:10). Someone used to tell us, being there and you got 95% of the ministry done. Sometimes, you just need to be there. Attending your Sunday school. Being the assistance of the Children Sunday school teachers. Visiting or calling someone and being on their side. Or keeping someone in your prayer. Be there, stationed yourself there and see.
Audrey
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