Exodus 2 - The Birth and Early Life of Moses
Old TestamentIsrael in Egypt

Exodus 2: The Birth and Early Life of Moses

Exodus Chapter 2 narrates the birth, early life, and formative experiences of Moses, the central figure through whom God will deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. The chapter opens with Moses’ miracu...

25

Verses

~4 min

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Moses

Author

Timeline

c. 1446 BC - The Birth and Early Life of Moses during Israelite bondage in Egypt

Overview

Exodus Chapter 2 narrates the birth, early life, and formative experiences of Moses, the central figure through whom God will deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. The chapter opens with Moses’ miraculous preservation as an infant, hidden by his mother and then saved by Pharaoh’s daughter. It follows his growth, his identification with his Hebrew brethren, and his flight to Midian after killing an Egyptian oppressor. The chapter concludes with God hearing Israel’s cries and remembering His covenant. This chapter sets the stage for God’s redemptive plan by introducing Moses’ unique calling and God’s faithfulness to His promises despite Israel’s suffering.

Structure & Organization

Verses 1-10: The Birth and Preservation of Moses. This section details Moses’ birth to a Levite family, his mother’s protective actions, and his adoption by Pharaoh’s daughter, highlighting God’s providential care.

Verses 11-15: Moses’ Early Adulthood and Flight. Moses, now grown, identifies with his oppressed people, kills an Egyptian, and flees Egypt to escape Pharaoh’s wrath.

Verses 16-22: Moses in Midian. Moses defends Reuel’s daughters, gains favor with their father, and marries Zipporah, establishing a new life in exile.

Verses 23-25: God’s Response to Israel’s Oppression. The chapter closes with Israel’s suffering under bondage, their cries to God, and God’s remembrance of His covenant, setting the theological foundation for the Exodus.

Characters, Events & Symbols

M

Moses

The central figure of the chapter, born to a Levite family, preserved by God through his mother and Pharaoh’s daughter, and later fleeing to Midian after defending his people. He is the future deliverer of Israel.

P

Pharaoh’s Daughter

The Egyptian princess who finds Moses in the river, shows compassion by adopting him, and unknowingly preserves God’s chosen deliverer.

M

Moses’ Mother

A courageous Levite woman who hides Moses to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree and later becomes his nursemaid, demonstrating faith and maternal devotion.

G

God

Though not speaking directly, God’s providence and faithfulness are evident throughout, preserving Moses, hearing Israel’s cries, and remembering His covenant.

R

Reuel (Jethro)

The priest of Midian who receives Moses as a son-in-law, providing refuge and a new beginning during Moses’ exile.

Key Terms

Ark of bulrushes
A small basket made from reeds (bulrushes) waterproofed with pitch and slime, used to protect Moses as an infant in the river.
Pharaoh’s daughter
The unnamed Egyptian princess who adopts Moses, representing God’s providential use of even foreign rulers in His plan.
Midian
A region east of the Gulf of Aqaba inhabited by nomadic tribes; the place where Moses fled and found refuge.
Daubed
To coat or smear with a sticky substance; here referring to coating the ark with slime and pitch to make it waterproof.

Chapter Outline

The Birth and Preservation of Moses

Exodus 2:1-10

Moses is born to a Levite family and hidden by his mother to escape Pharaoh’s decree. He is placed in an ark in the river and found by Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopts him, demonstrating God’s providential care.

Moses’ Early Adulthood and Flight

Exodus 2:11-15

Moses witnesses the oppression of his people, kills an Egyptian oppressor, and flees Egypt to escape Pharaoh’s wrath, marking a turning point in his life.

Moses in Midian

Exodus 2:16-22

Moses defends Reuel’s daughters, gains favor with their father, marries Zipporah, and begins a new life in Midian, preparing for his future calling.

God’s Response to Israel’s Oppression

Exodus 2:23-25

The chapter closes with Israel’s cries under bondage and God’s remembrance of His covenant, assuring His faithfulness and setting the stage for deliverance.

Key Verses

And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
Exodus 2:2
This verse highlights the mother’s faith and courage in protecting Moses, emphasizing God’s providence in preserving the deliverer of Israel.Study this verse →
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Exodus 2:10
Moses’ naming and adoption signify God’s sovereign hand in his life, foreshadowing his role as the one who will draw Israel out of bondage.Study this verse →
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Exodus 2:15
This verse marks a turning point where Moses must leave Egypt, illustrating the cost of obedience and the preparation period before God’s calling is fulfilled.Study this verse →
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exodus 2:24
God’s remembrance of His covenant assures the reader of His faithfulness and sets the theological foundation for Israel’s deliverance.Study this verse →

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Practical Application

  • 1

    Trust God’s providence even in difficult circumstances, knowing He is working behind the scenes for His purposes.

  • 2

    Have courage to protect and nurture faith within your family, as Moses’ mother did.

  • 3

    Identify with the suffering of others and act justly, as Moses did when defending his brethren.

  • 4

    Recognize that God’s calling often involves preparation and testing, requiring patience and obedience.

  • 5

    Remember God’s faithfulness to His promises when facing trials, and respond with prayer and trust.

  • 6

    Embrace new seasons of life, like Moses in Midian, as opportunities for growth and God’s provision.

Main Themes

Divine Providence

God’s unseen hand preserves Moses’ life and orchestrates events to prepare him for his future role, demonstrating His sovereign care over His people.

Deliverance and Redemption

The chapter foreshadows Israel’s coming deliverance through Moses, beginning with his rescue from death and culminating in God’s remembrance of His covenant.

Identity and Calling

Moses’ struggle with his identity as a Hebrew raised in Egypt and his eventual flight to Midian reflect the preparation and testing involved in God’s calling.

Oppression and Suffering

Israel’s bondage under Egypt is emphasized, highlighting the reality of suffering that prompts their cry to God and His responsive faithfulness.

Faithfulness of God’s Covenant

God’s remembrance of His covenant with the patriarchs assures that despite Israel’s suffering, God remains committed to His promises.

Historical & Cultural Context

Exodus 2 is set during the period of Israelite slavery in Egypt, traditionally dated around the 15th to 13th century BC. The Israelites, descendants of Jacob (Israel), had grown numerous but were oppressed by a Pharaoh who feared their increasing population. Egyptian society was highly stratified, with Pharaoh as the absolute ruler. The custom of exposing unwanted infants was practiced, making Moses’ preservation extraordinary. The land of Midian, where Moses flees, was located in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula, inhabited by nomadic tribes and priests like Reuel. This context underscores the political oppression Israel faced and the cultural milieu surrounding Moses’ early life.

Theological Interpretations

Reformed View

Emphasizes God’s sovereign providence in preserving Moses and orchestrating history to fulfill His covenant promises. Moses’ life is seen as a typology of Christ, the ultimate deliverer.

Dispensational View

Highlights the literal historical fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel and the distinct roles of Moses as God’s appointed mediator for the nation during the Mosaic Dispensation.

Church Fathers

Often interpret Moses’ birth and preservation allegorically, seeing him as a figure of salvation and the Church, with the ark of bulrushes prefiguring the Ark of the Covenant and Christ’s salvation.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:23

References Moses’ mother’s faith in hiding him, affirming the theme of faith and God’s providence in his preservation.

Acts 7:20-22

Stephen recounts Moses’ early life, emphasizing his education and God’s preparation for his leadership.

Psalm 105:23-26

Speaks of God’s call on Moses and Aaron to lead Israel, connecting to the divine calling introduced in Exodus 2.

Isaiah 63:11

Mentions God’s remembrance of His covenant and His deliverance through a leader, echoing Exodus 2:24-25.

Numbers 12:7

Affirms Moses’ unique role as God’s faithful servant, a role beginning with his early life in Exodus 2.

Conclusion

Exodus Chapter 2 powerfully introduces Moses as God’s chosen instrument for Israel’s deliverance, highlighting themes of divine providence, faithfulness, and identity. Through Moses’ preservation, growth, and exile, the chapter reveals God’s sovereign hand working amidst oppression and suffering. It encourages believers to trust God’s timing and faithfulness, to act justly, and to remain faithful in preparation for God’s calling. This chapter lays the foundation for the unfolding redemption story, reminding believers that God remembers His covenant and will act to save His people.

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