Bad Time! Right Time!

Exodus 2:1-25

Moses was born in a good family, but at a bad time. The king of Egypt had no success with the Hebrew midwives in his attempt to kill all of the Jewish male children. So he turned to the Egyptian people, and issued a broad command, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive." From the moment he was conceived Moses' life was in danger.

His godly parents feared for his life. They hid him for three months. In Acts 7:19, 20 Stephen said, "This man (Pharaoh) dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months."

Infants have a tendency to cry, and make a lot of noise. Moses' parents realized that they could no longer keep him hidden, so his mother "took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank." His sister, Miriam, watched and waited to see what would happen.

Pharaoh's daughter, Hatshepsut, came down to the river to bathe. As she walked with her maidens along the river bank, she saw the ark among the reeds. A maid was sent to fetch it, and the ark was carried to her. "And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept." A three month baby boy cried. And the Bible says, "So she had compassion on him."

Miriam came up to Pharaoh's daughter and asked, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?" Hatshepsut told her to go and bring a nurse. Moses' sister brought Moses' mother, who was told by Pharaoh's daughter, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." Imagine, getting paid to nurse your own child!

Moses learned that he was a Hebrew, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through the loving care and nurturing of his family, especially his mother, he came to know the God of the patriarchs.

Moses was born at a bad time. Moses' parents had done all they could to protect their little one. In the providence of God they placed that little ark with Moses in it among the reeds in the right place at the right time. There was nothing left but God. He is enough. Our times are in His hands. Psalm 31:15.

Lord, we don't believe in luck. Our faith is in You. Thank You for causing the light to shine in the darkness. Help us to see You in every circumstance. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Who Am I? - Exodus 3

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