The birth of Moses
Exodus 2:1-10; 9/28/2025; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Moses’ birth itself is full of peculiar colors, thrilling and incredible, reasonable yet inexplicable. The Bible paints a face for Moses’ birth: a Levite, a Hebrew, and the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Let’s look at the first point:
A child born to Levites
Moses defined himself as a child of Levites. This was crucial to Moses, reflecting his self-identity and self-worth. First, he was a member of the house of Levi. The roots of the Levitical family reveal a strife-filled character from birth. He was Leah’s third child. His mother named him Levi, hoping for a closer union with Jacob and to win her husband’s heart away from Rachel. Before his death, Jacob declared that the Levites should be scattered among the tribes, lest their anger and fierceness be cursed, and their wrath and cruelty be cursed. Over four hundred years later, by Moses’ final blessing, the Levites had become a family that faithfully observed God’s word, safeguarded His covenant, and taught His laws and ordinances, chosen and highly used by God. Moses’ birth into the house of Levi was no accident; it reflected God’s providential wisdom.
Second, those who surrender sovereignty. Secondly, who were the parents of Moses? The book of Numbers explains: “The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. (Numbers 26:59)” What should they do when faced with a handsome boy? Under pressure from Pharaoh to kill the baby boy, Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, chose to surrender Moses’ life to God. After hiding him for three months, they realized they had no more room to hide him. So, they placed Moses in a papyrus basket and let him drift down the Nile. One wonders what price this decision cost their family. Imagine their worry and fear for what might happen.
Finally, there are those who care. Of course, this family did not choose to obey Pharaoh’s evil laws, but chose to do the right thing within their ability. The first reaction is of course to hide until they can no longer hide, then let go and give it to God! “she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.” This bulrush basket was no ordinary basket; it contained the love and care of the entire family. Furthermore, Moses’ sister, Miriam, followed closely behind, eager to see what would become of the basket containing her brother, Moses. Miriam, over ten years older than Moses, seemed to have a motherly feeling about her older sister, a feeling she maintained throughout her life. Let’s look at the second point:
One of the Hebrews’ children
If Moses’s Levite birth was based on God’s powerful choice, then his Hebrew birth was a national stamp placed upon Moses by God’s hand. First, certification of the Pharaoh’s daughter. A declaration of one’s identity is less effective than the certification of one’s adversary. This is the biblical approach. Moses, speaking through the mouth of his adoptive mother, Pharaoh’s daughter, said: “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” The contrast in this situation is profound. Behind Pharaoh’s daughter lies the power of Pharaoh, the power of infanticide, the power of authority, and the power of darkness. Moses, then a weak infant, could be killed by anyone. Yet, in Moses’ life, there was God’s choice, God’s mission, God’s calling, God’s protection, and God’s presence! Others dared not adopt a Hebrew baby boy, but Pharaoh’s daughter could!
Next,the seal of Jochebed’s milk. If the story had simply stopped at Pharaoh’s daughter adopting Moses and bringing him back to the palace, it’s hard to say what kind of person Moses would have become. He would most likely have been a “second-generation prince” in Egypt, a playboy who lived a life of debauchery and helped the tyrant to commit evil! However, God’s mighty hand enabled his own mother to become his wet nurse and accompany him throughout his life. Such an opportunity would have been impossible without God’s gift. Jesus said that if one wants to gain life, one must first give it up. Faced with the pressure of Pharaoh’s infanticide order, Jochebed chose to send Moses into the Nile, effectively handing over the sovereignty of his life. However, she ultimately gained Moses’ life.
Finally, evidence of the growth environment. With the endorsement of Moses’ mother, the “wet nurse,” Moses was free to move freely between Pharaoh’s palace and the Israelites. At the time, Egypt was the most developed and civilized nation in the world. Its libraries boasted rich collections of books and artwork. The adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter could be considered a prince of Egypt. Therefore, the Bible says: “And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. (Acts 7:22)” At the same time, Moses learned from his mother and family that he was a Hebrew, a Levite, and God’s chosen people. More importantly, Moses’ core value was that being God’s chosen people far outweighed being an Egyptian prince. Let’s look at the third point:
Son of Pharaoh’s daughter
Being adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter is something many people dream of! The story of how Moses became adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter was also incredible. First, Pharaoh’s daughter. Who is she? There has never been a definitive answer to this question in history. Some say she was Hatshepsut, the queen of Thutmose II during the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt, while others believe she was the daughter of Ramses II. Perhaps because she was a daughter, her record in history is less likely. Some say this female pharaoh was once Egypt’s regent, reigning for 20 years and considered the greatest queen in Egyptian history. Her reign likely coincided with Moses’ 40 years in the wilderness, and she likely missed him in history. The fact that they didn’t come into direct conflict was perhaps a stroke of divine mercy.
Secondly, the work of God. There aren’t many coincidences in the world, are there? Why did Pharaoh’s daughter bathe in the Nile River exactly when Jochebed, Moses’ mother, placed him there? The whereabouts of royal family members shouldn’t be easily discovered, and Moses’ mother wouldn’t have been able to know, right? Why did Pharaoh’s daughter feel pity when she saw little Moses? Seeing a Hebrew child and then a Hebrew girl immediately following—why wouldn’t she be suspicious? Furthermore, a Hebrew wet nurse also happened to appear—wouldn’t she be suspicious? A single coincidence isn’t surprising. It is not easy to appear continuously without causing doubt. Unless God removed the suspicion from Pharaoh’s daughter’s heart.
Finally, Moses’ name. Moses’ nursing period may have lasted three to five years, a period long enough for him and his mother, Jochebed, to develop a deep bond and understanding. His nickname is unknown, but when Jochebed brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, she named him Moses, meaning “Because I drew him out of the water.” Little did Pharaoh’s daughter know that even the naming of Moses was divinely orchestrated. Because God wanted to call Moses to pull the Israelites out of the waters of Egypt, which belonged to this world. Moses’ name seemed to epitomize his entire life. God’s power can even manipulate the Antichrist’s regime. Pharaoh, his daughter, and all others became pawns on God’s chessboard to save the world.
Conclusion
Thank God! The birth of Moses demonstrated God’s power! Pharaoh clearly intended to destroy the Israelites, but instead he allowed them to prosper and multiply! God even used just a few ordinary women: first, God-fearing midwife; second, strong Hebrew women; third, Moses’ mother and sister; fourth, Pharaoh’s daughter. Just as Satan thought that by killing Charlie Kirk, he could prevent the revival of faith in America, they were wrong! God even used this bullet of hatred and jealousy to raise up thousands and millions of Charlie Kirk!
Let us pray together……
1Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.
2The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.
3When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.
4And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.
5Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it.
6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?”
8And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother.
9And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.
10When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
