Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 2

Chapter 1 explained why Israel needed rescue. Chapter 2 shows how God prepared Moses, the rescuer. God used the threat to Hebrew baby boys to ensure that Moses was ready for his mission (see study note on 2:10).

• The man and woman were named Amram and Jochebed (6:20).

• Levi was Jacob’s third son by his wife Leah (Genesis 29:34).

a special baby (literally he was good): This is probably a reference to his appearance: He was a “perfect” baby.

Papyrus reeds grew plentifully along the many streams into which the Nile River divided in the delta region of northern Egypt. They were light and flexible, well-suited for basket weaving. It is possible that the mother of Moses placed the basket in the water exactly where it was most likely to be found by the Egyptian princess.

The Egyptians believed that the Nile River was a goddess. They thought she gave life and healing. In this way, the Nile was similar to how some people in modern India view the Ganges River.

When Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the river, she was doing more than washing herself. She was likely taking part in her morning religious practice.

When she found the baby floating on the river, she may have seen this as a sign from the Nile goddess. In her view, the child was in the care of the goddess. This would have made the discovery very important to her.

It is also natural for someone to feel compassion for a crying baby. These reasons together may explain why she rescued the child. She understood that he was a Hebrew boy. Hebrews and Egyptians practiced circumcision in different ways, which likely helped her recognize this.

These factors may explain why she rescued the child, even though she could tell he was Hebrew. Hebrews and Egyptians had different circumcision practices.

This event shows God’s grace (his undeserved kindness) and sovereignty (his complete rule and control). Pharaoh had ordered that Hebrew baby boys be killed. Yet Pharaoh’s daughter paid the mother of Moses to nurse him instead.

The story may suggest that the princess understood who the baby’s mother was. She did not ask questions that would have caused trouble. If this is correct, both women may have quietly understood the situation without speaking about it directly.

Moses was saved because God was working behind the events. He was not saved because someone was tricked or deceived.

• God did more than save the life of Moses for his future calling. He also placed Moses in a position to receive training. Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household. There, he likely received an education in administration, military matters, and leadership.

  In Egypt, a pharaoh was expected to father many children. This showed his strength and power. His sons were often given important civil and military roles. An adopted son of a princess would likely have received this kind of training (see Acts 7:22).

• Moses: The princess gave the child an Egyptian name. This name appears in the longer names of many important Egyptians. These include the 18th Dynasty pharaohs Ahmose (1550–1525 BC) and Thutmose (1504–1390 BC).

  The name Moses may mean “to give birth” in Egyptian. By using this name, the princess may have suggested that the Nile, which Egyptians honored as a source of life, had given birth to the child.

  The Israelites later connected the name Moses with a similar Hebrew word, mashah. This word sounds like the name Moses and means “to lift out.” This connection recalls how the baby was lifted out of the water.

Moses grew up with many advantages. He lived in comfort, unlike his own people, the Hebrews, who suffered hard labor and pain.

Even so, Moses chose to identify with them. He decided to stand with his people. He was willing to risk his position and comfort in order to help them.

This section describes the first failed attempt of Moses to rescue Israel. He acted in his own strength instead of waiting for God’s direction.

This event shows the courage and quick action of Moses. However, it also shows that he sometimes took responsibility on himself instead of trusting God’s plan. Later in his life, this same pattern led to serious consequences (Numbers 20:1–13).

Moses cared deeply about his people’s well-being. His desire to help was good. But the time and the way he acted did not match God’s plan.

Moses, who had put himself at risk to prevent an Egyptian from beating a Hebrew, must have been especially angered to see a Hebrew beating up a fellow Hebrew.

“Who made you ruler and judge over us?”: The Hebrew man's arrogant question hints at how others would later treat Moses. They would not appreciate his efforts. For Moses to succeed, he would need to rely only on his belief in God's calling.

• Moses fled: Moses tried to rescue Israel by himself instead of relying on God. This made him a fugitive in Egypt, delaying God's plans for him. His actions dramatically changed his life (compare Numbers 20:9–13; Deuteronomy 3:23–29).

• Midian was on both sides of the Gulf of Aqaba, in the southern Sinai peninsula and the western edge of the Arabian peninsula. A major trade route from southern Arabia went through this dry and barren area. The people there were probably nomadic shepherds and traders (see Genesis 37:28). It was a good place for a fugitive to hide.

This passage shows the concern Moses felt for the oppressed. It describes his move to a new land (2:18–22). He married, had a child, and lived there for 40 years (Acts 7:30).

From a human perspective, rescuing the Israelites through Moses seemed impossible. But what God's perspective is what matters. The end of this section tells us that God had not forgotten his people (Exodus 2:23–25). He was only waiting for the right time to act (2:25).

the priest of Midian: His name was Reuel (2:18), but Scripture later calls him Jethro (18:1). It was common for a person to have both an official and a personal name. But it is unclear which one is in view here.

Perhaps, like Melchizedek, he was part of a local religious group that did not follow a pagan religion (Genesis 14:18). Reuel’s actions in bringing an offering and sacrifices to God support this idea (Exodus 18:12).

rose up to help: Moses, now in a foreign land, still could not ignore oppression. He was, by nature, a rescuer.

The father of seven daughters did not want to miss meeting a generous and brave man, who would make an excellent husband. We see here the famous hospitality of the region's residents, which continues today (see also Genesis 18:1–8).

The verbs here describe a God who understands his people's needs (heard … saw) and who is faithful and reliable (remembered His covenant). He fulfills his responsibilities in a relationship (took notice).