Exodus chapter 2 presents the captivating story of the birth and youth of Moses, a man chosen by God to be the liberator of his people. In the midst of adversity, how does God prepare this instrument of His will? This account reveals not only Moses' miraculous birth and his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter, but also his escape to Midian after killing an Egyptian, as well as his marriage to Zipporah.
This chapter reaches its climax with the powerful cry of the Israelites to God, followed by God's response. It addresses essential themes such as divine providence, the identity of Moses, and God's timing for the deliverance of his people. In this reflection, we invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that shed light on the themes of preparation and calling present in this crucial chapter.
Acts 7:20-22: "At that time Moses was born, very handsome. For three months he grew up in his father's house. When he was abandoned, Pharaoh's daughter took him in and raised him as her own son. Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in word and deed." This passage summarizes the events at the beginning of Exodus 2, providing additional details about Moses' upbringing.
Hebrews 11:24-26: "By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing instead to suffer ill-treatment with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. For Christ's sake, he considered his dishonor greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward." This text interprets Moses' actions in Exodus 2 as acts of faith and identification with his people.
Acts 7:23-29: "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian and went to his defense. He killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. The next day, he returned and found two Israelites fighting. He tried to reconcile them, saying, 'You are brothers; why do they want to harm each other?' But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses and said to him, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'" Upon hearing this, Moses fled to Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and fathered two sons. This passage provides a detailed summary of the events of Exodus 2, including Moses' flight to Midian.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2: "Brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact that all our ancestors were under the clouds and all passed through the sea. In Moses, they were all baptized in the cloud and in the sea." Paul uses the events of the Exodus, which begin in Exodus 2 with the birth of Moses, as a foreshadowing of Christian baptism.
Psalm 106:19-23: "In Horeb they made a calf and worshipped a cast image. They exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wonders in the land of Ham, and fearful deeds at the Red Sea. Therefore, he threatened to destroy them, and he would have done it if Moses, his chosen one, had not stood before him in the gap, to prevent his wrath from destroying them." This psalm reflects the importance of Moses, whose story begins in Exodus 2, as an intercessor for the people of Israel.
The life of Moses reminds us that, even in the midst of trials, God prepares His servants and responds to the cries of His people. Let us reflect on how we, like Moses, can respond to God's call in our own lives.