“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.”
This verse is part of the narrative of the birth and early life of Moses, one of the central figures in the Old Testament and a key figure in the story of the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
Context:At the time of Exodus 2:9, the Israelites were living in Egypt under oppressive conditions. Moses was born during a period when Pharaoh had commanded that all Hebrew baby boys be killed. In an act of faith and love, Moses’ mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a waterproofed basket and set it adrift on the Nile River.
Divine intervention:By God’s providence, Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the baby Moses while she was bathing in the Nile. It is important to note that Pharaoh’s daughter was not aware of Moses’ Hebrew heritage at this point.
Compassion and adoption:Pharaoh’s daughter was moved with compassion when she saw the baby and recognized him as a Hebrew child. Instead of following her father’s decree to kill Hebrew male infants, she decided to adopt Moses as her own son. In Exodus 2:9, she instructs Moses’ biological mother, who was called to the scene by Moses’ sister Miriam, to nurse the child on her behalf.
Divine irony and God’s plan:It is fascinating to observe how God works through unexpected circumstances and individuals to fulfill His plans. In this case, Moses’ mother had the opportunity not only to save her son’s life but also to nurse him and raise him in his early years. God orchestrated events in such a way that Moses received both the care and nurture of his biological family and the benefits of growing up in Pharaoh’s household, which would equip him for his future role as the deliverer of the Israelites.
Foreshadowing:Exodus 2:9 foreshadows Moses’ future role as the leader of God’s people. Despite growing up in Pharaoh’s household and enjoying the privileges of royalty, Moses would eventually identify with the Hebrews and lead them out of Egypt towards their liberation.
Overall, Exodus 2:9 highlights the compassion and intervention of God in preserving Moses’ life, as well as the unexpected ways in which God fulfills His purposes. It also sets the stage for Moses’ unique upbringing, which would play a significant role in his eventual calling as the deliverer of the Israelites.
