Exodus 2:8
And Pharaohs daughter said to her, Goe: And the mayd went and called the childs mother. Exodus 2:8 (KJV)
Exodus 2:8 belongs to the early narrative of Moses’ life. In this verse Pharaoh’s daughter, having found the infant among the reeds, commands the maid to go, and the maid promptly calls the child’s mother, Jochebed. The scene underscores God’s providential care for Moses even amid the deadly decree of Pharaoh to kill Hebrew male infants. Though the political climate was hostile, God orchestrates events so that the baby is rescued and ultimately placed in the household of the very ruler who sought his destruction.
Pharaoh’s daughter displays unexpected compassion. Rather than obeying her father’s order to eliminate the Hebrew child, she chooses to protect Moses and raise him as her own son. Her mercy becomes a pivotal instrument in God’s redemptive plan, setting the stage for Moses to become the deliverer of Israel.
Jochebed’s response illustrates profound obedience and trust. When instructed by the princess, she relinquishes her son, trusting that God will work through the circumstances. Her willingness to surrender the child, despite knowing he would be raised in an enemy’s palace, demonstrates a faith that aligns with God’s larger purpose for Moses.
The verse also portrays a divine reversal: what Pharaoh intended for destruction is turned by God into a means of deliverance. The Egyptian princess, a member of the ruling class, unwittingly becomes a conduit for God’s plan to raise a leader who will lead the Israelites out of bondage.
Symbolically, the passage points forward to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. Moses, drawn from the water and saved from death, foreshadows Christ, the ultimate Deliverer who rescues humanity from sin.
Application for today includes trusting God’s providence even when circumstances seem adverse, extending compassion and mercy to those in need, and submitting to God’s leading, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Believers are encouraged to study the surrounding verses to deepen their understanding of how God can work through unexpected people and situations to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
