Reading: Exodus 2:1-10

Egypt’s king is afraid of the Israelites (Ex 1:8), so he afflicts them with heavy burdens. “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.” (Ex 1:12). So Pharaoh makes a terrible decision: the murder of Israelite baby boys. The future of Israel, and the road to Jesus Christ, is in real danger. Pharaoh challenges God. But God also has a plan; He causes a baby to be born to do just the opposite. God will use this baby (Moses), not only to save Israel from slavery in Egypt, but also to triumphantly lead Israel out of Egypt.

This baby is threatened with death. His mother places him in a sealed basket of bulrushes and places it in the river Nile. And see now what happens. By God’s secret providence Pharaoh’s daughter is led to the baby. She is brave; although her father condemns this Hebrew child, she rescues it. Moses is brought into the palace where he is educated in the culture of Egypt and trained in leadership. By this miracle God prepares Moses to become, at God’s time, the saviour of Israel. What great irony! Pharaoh tries to kill the Hebrew babies and destroy their nation. But God puts Moses into Pharaoh’s own house to prepare him for the rescue of this nation!

However, Moses needs more than a good Egyptian education; he also needs training for the very difficult task of leading Israel in the desert for over 40 years. Again God provides in an amazing way. Moses is forced to flee from Egypt (Ex 2:15). He becomes a shepherd in Midian and so spends 40 years in the “desert” school.

We learn this principle: God directs all things and thereby honours His great name and preserves His church at all times. This is a great comfort for us in difficult times.

Key text: Ex 2:5 “Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it.”

Question: How does God prepare Moses, in Egypt and in Midian, for his future leadership tasks?