Bible Discussion Thread

Here we have the account of the life of Moses, covering his birth. He was to two Levite relatives Amram (father) and Jochebed (mother). Moses was born during the time that Pharaoh had ordered the midwives to kill the newborn Hebrew children. His mother was somehow able to ide her pregnancy, Moses' birth and first three months of life. Most likely these parents were devout. Perhaps, even, they had some revelation from God that Moses would be the deliverer. Who knows. But it seems they were led by God to secure safety for Moses in the way that they did.

They made and "ark" (basket of reeds) sealed with pitch with a lid. Set Moses inside and set it safely among the reeds near where the princess bathed. Older sister, Miriam, stood guard, ready to offer mother as a nursemaid, since the princess was not a lactating mother. The princess, recognizing that he was a Hebrew (perhaps from being circumcised) had compassion on Moses when he cried and readily agreed to have him be nursed and cared for in the home of the nursemaid, his mother. How providential. Jochebed was able to continue caring for Moses until he was weaned and a young child. It must have been hard for her to give him over to the princess. Pharaoh's daughter named him, Moses. We do not know what name his birth parents had given him. Moses means 'the one who draws out' , fittingly prophetic.

As Moses grew up as the princess' son, he was most likely schooled in all of the knowledge of the Egyptians. How much he knew about his Hebrew heritage is unknown, but he must have had some contact with his family, who would have instructed him on the history of their people and of God's "aloneness" as God. Moses had a sense of concern for his Hebrew brethren, because he was upset enough about an over the top mistreatment of Hebrew slaves that he slew the Egyptian task master. We don't hear in Scripture of him being outspoken about the slavery of the Hebrews, nor an agitator for their release.