Exodus 2
The Birth and Call of Moses
Overview
Exodus 2 tells the remarkable story of Moses' birth, rescue from the Nile, upbringing in Pharaoh's palace, flight to Midian, and God's attention to Israel's suffering.
Introduction
Exodus 2 introduces Moses—the man who will confront Pharaoh, lead Israel through the sea, and receive the Law at Sinai. From a basket in the reeds to Pharaoh's palace to exile in Midian, Moses' early life prepares him for the enormous task ahead while God's people groan under slavery.
Moses' Birth and Rescue
[1-10] Providence works through ordinary people.
- A Levite marriage [1]: A man from the tribe of Levi marries a Levite woman
- A beautiful son [2]: She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son. Seeing that he is a fine child, she hides him for three months
- The basket [3]: When she can hide him no longer, she gets a papyrus basket, coats it with tar and pitch, places the child in it, and puts it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile
- Miriam watches [4]: His sister stands at a distance to see what will happen
- Pharaoh's daughter finds him [5-6]: She comes to bathe in the Nile, sees the basket, sends her slave to get it, opens it, and sees the baby crying. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she says, yet she has compassion
- Miriam's boldness [7]: His sister asks Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"
- Moses' mother nurses him [8-9]: Pharaoh's daughter agrees. The baby's own mother nurses him and is paid for it
- Named Moses [10]: When the child grows older, she takes him to Pharaoh's daughter, who adopts him and names him Moses (sounds like Hebrew for "draw out"): "I drew him out of the water."
Moses Kills an Egyptian
[11-15] A failed attempt at justice.
- Moses goes out [11]: After Moses grows up, he goes out to where his own people are and watches them at their hard labor. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew
- The killing [12]: Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he kills the Egyptian and hides him in the sand
- Discovery [13-14]: The next day, he sees two Hebrews fighting and asks the one in the wrong why he is hitting his fellow Hebrew. The man replies, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Moses is afraid: the matter is known
- Flight to Midian [15]: Pharaoh hears and tries to kill Moses, but Moses flees to Midian
Moses in Midian
[16-22] A new life begins.
- At the well [16-17]: A priest of Midian has seven daughters who come to draw water. Shepherds drive them away, but Moses rescues them and waters their flock
- Reuel's invitation [18-20]: Their father (also called Jethro) asks why they're back so early. "An Egyptian rescued us," they say. He invites Moses to eat
- Marriage and son [21-22]: Moses agrees to stay with the man, who gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She gives birth to a son whom Moses names Gershom ("foreigner there"): "I have become a foreigner in a foreign land."
God Hears Israel's Groaning
[23-25] The turning point.
- Years pass, king dies [23a]: During that long period, the king of Egypt dies
- Israel cries out [23b]: The Israelites groan in their slavery and cry out. Their cry for help rises up to God
- God hears, remembers, looks, is concerned [24-25]: God hears their groaning. God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looks on the Israelites. God is concerned about them
- Four verbs: Heard, remembered, looked, was concerned—God is about to act
Key Takeaways
- Providence uses unlikely means [5-6]: Pharaoh's own daughter saves the Hebrew deliverer
- Human methods fail [12-14]: Moses' attempt to deliver by violence doesn't work
- Preparation takes time [15-22]: Moses spends decades in the desert being shaped
- God hears the oppressed [24-25]: Israel's groaning rises to heaven
Reflection Questions
- How has God worked through unlikely circumstances in your life?
- When have your own attempts to "fix" things failed, requiring you to wait on God's timing?
- What cries is God hearing from you right now?
Pause and Reflect
"God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant." — Exodus 2:24
Take 5 minutes to bring your groaning to God. Whatever burdens you carry, know that God hears. He has not forgotten His promises to you. Rest in the assurance that He is about to act—in His perfect timing.
This Bible study was written by Claude AI to help you engage with God's Word while our team prepares in-depth studies.