Exodus 2:1-10

G-d is faithful to provide – according to His truth, and at His appointed times. Israel had been in bondage for many years, but because of the faithfulness of a few (who did things according to G-d’s will and not according to the threats of Pharaoh) G-d began to move in this generation so that they would experience His Redemption.

v1: Levi: Even though the Law had not yet been written down there was oral law that had been passed down from generation to generation (eg. Be fruitful and multiply, do not murder etc) G-d had also revealed truth to the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) which they would have also passed down. This tribe of Levi were going to be called for a unique purpose – to be spiritual leaders, servants, for the rest of the tribes. This call to be a Levite was a very stringent one. It was not an absolute mandate but a strong spiritual recommendation to marry a daughter of a Levite, as she would have been raised in a home with this call – therefore she would be more accustomed to what it meant to be a Levite. This man (Amram) took his call seriously. He didn’t see an end in his future, but rather he saw a beginning. He knew that G-d would be faithful, and therefore he didn’t view his lot in life with hopelessness. He went out with a desire to fulfil G-d’s command to be fruitful and multiply.

v2: Woman: This chapter opened with a man’s desire to walk in a right way, the emphasis of this chapter, however, is going to be on his wife.

· Conceived: Biblically when conception is mentioned it shows something supernatural is taking place. G-d is at work – He is moving and still blessing. He has a purpose.

The NKJV uses the word “beautiful” to describe Moses, but it is simply the word “good” in Hebrew. This word (good) relates to the will of G-d (Genesis 1- G-d saw it was good…).

v3: No longer hide: She reached the end of her own ability.

· Ark: The same word (although in much smaller measure) is used for the ark that Noah built. An ark speaks of G-d’s provision for salvation as well as new beginnings. Jochebed placed Moses in the ark with the same faith Noah had – G-d would protect and provide a way out from death.

· Asphalt – a sticky substance used for a sealer.

· Reeds: Just like Noah’s ark entered into water, so too did the ark that housed Moses (Matthew 3:16-17, 1 Peter 3:20-21)

v4: His sister stood – this is the same word as seen in Exodus 14:13. She was placed there as a witness of the salvation of the L-rd. This language foreshadows G-d’s faithfulness to His people.

v5: Many people would go down to the Nile but it “just so happened” (right time, right place) that Pharoah’s daughter arrived.

· Maidens: young women attending to her needs.

· She saw the ark: The ark captured her attention. She didn’t yet know that Moses was in it.

v6: Pharaoh’s daughter knew this baby boy was a Hebrew baby. She also knew the order to put these babies to death. Other women might have feared Pharoah and obeyed, but Pharoah’s daughter could get away with a lot more than other women could. When she heard Moses’ cry she had compassion/mercy on him. He touched her heart.

v7: His sister -this would be Miriam.

Pharoah’s daughter would have known, from Miriam’s accent, that she was also a Hebrew. The Hebrews all lived in Goshen. They learned the language of the Egyptians, but (according to tradition) they still spoke their own language.

v8: “Maiden” is the same word found in Isaiah 7:14 that refers to a “virgin”- it is a word used (and associated with) within the context of redemption. It is also a word that is used to refer to a woman of righteousness – this means a woman who is committed to the will and Word of G-d.

· Called the child’s mother: Jochebed is immediately brought back into the life of Moses. She was going to disciple him and be an influence in his life.

v9: Wages: Isaiah 48:17. When we make G-d our teacher and when He guides our lives He will guide us into prosperity. Not material prosperity alone, but He will equip us and provide for all that we need in our lives. G-d rewarded Jochebed relationally as well as financially, because she feared G-d (more than she feared Pharoah) and was obedient to His law.

v10: There is a change in this verse.

· Water: The ark was taken out of the water and placed on a high place. Moses was taken out of the water and placed in a high place – into the house/government of Egypt (see also Ephesians 2:4-6). Moses was being prepared to be a powerful leader. He was not called to be a leader of the Egyptians, but a leader of the Hebrews – for the purposes of G-d.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the L-rd is the beginning of wisdom. Like the midwives, Jochebed operated out of a fear of the L-rd. This fear motivated her to put truth into action – no matter what the consequences were going to be. Do we fear the L-rd?