The Birth of Moses: The Example of a Believing Mother

Exodus 2:1-10

L/W-Story of Pharaoh’s oppression of the people of Israel and how they overcame it—God’s providence and the faithful fear of the Lord

Today: We learn of Moses’ birth, the circumstances surrounding his birth, and the example of the faith of Moses’ mother

Reminder as we get into our verses today:

The Book of Exodus is the great book of deliverance, of God delivering His people ---the nation of Israel from bondage---from oppression—from the yoke of Pharaoh’s evil.

The Book of Exodus bears biblically accurate symmetry to the purpose, aim, and theme of the gospel—God’s deliverance of man (salvation) of man from:

The bondage of sin

The oppression sin

The condemnation of sin

The entirety of the Bible has a singular focus—salvation

(2 Timothy 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”)

Throughout Scripture we read and learn of God’s faithfulness to bring about deliverance and restoration to mankind—this grace gift of salvation. Along the way, we see how God moves sovereignly and providentially in His work towards that end, in using faithful people who walk sincerely before Him. And in doing so, we are given the gift of seeing God acting upon His faithful promise to bring about restoration/deliverance.

Exodus 2:1-10 is one of these gifts in seeing God acting upon His faithfulness to bring about deliverance. And while we will learn and be reminded of this in the events surrounding Moses’ birth, we will also learn other valuable truths about faith, about our own deliverance, and about our Deliverer

(READ EXODUS 2:1-10)

If I were to ask each of you what the focus of these 10 verses, what would you say? Moses? His mom? Pharaoh’s daughter? It’s always vital that we slow scripture down (in our quiet times, in Bible studies, and in times of corporate worship), b/c it’s in these moments where God begins to teach us through His Holy Spirit the deep truths of His Word in the context of culture of the era it was written, so it serves as it should: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

And this is true of today’s message—these verses cover the birth of Moses—yet the focus is on Moses’ mother. In these verses, we learn:

How she saved Moses from being killed

How she trusted God to take care of her baby boy

She was godly woman who trusted God with all of her heart (it takes an undivided heart, surrendered to God, to do what she did to protect her son)

Godly mothers do exist in this world—mothers who

Truly believe in God

Have the courage to stand up for God and HIs demand for righteousness and purity

Exist in every generation, that have given all they are to God, and are totally committed to following after Him and His righteousness

This is the focus of today’s message: The Picture of a Believing, Faithful, and Courageous Mother, but there are truths for every person here today:

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I. (v.1) She was a Hebrew (Levite tribe); a slave of the lowest rank and position imaginable—Yet God chose to use her b/c of her belief and faith in Him

Exodus 2:1 “And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi.”

(Context and Culture) Israel had been enslaved for a century or more at this point—making Moses’ parents slaves when they were married;

This teaches us that both:

Working as slave-laborers, as beasts of burden

Were abused and yelled at, most likely cursed and beaten on a regular basis

Were poor and poverty stricken

Were living in a small, poorly furnished house, hut, or shanty

Had few, if any, possessions of their own

Had no opportunity to do what they wanted

Could not better themselves

Moses’ mother had no social standing, no decent provision, no status/position; she was slave forced to make bricks or tend to the fields under oppression

Yet God was going to use her, this humble mother, this enslaved woman beyond what she could ever imagine, in bringing about His messenger and deliverer for Israel in the birth of Moses…Why?

Because of her courageous faith and belief in Him as her Lord

(You and me) Moses’ mother is a great example for us—and not just for mothers—for ALL of us. How? Because not matter how lowly, how far down we are—God will use us—He will use us no matter:

Our past-

Our present

Our social standing

Position/education

Rank/achievement

Finances/abilities

Heritage

Appearance

He will use us—no matter our position or place if we simply take the example of Moses’ mother—believe and follow after God

God will accept us b/c of our belief, faith, and trust in His Son Jesus Christ

God will use us to reach, witness, and bless the lives of those in our own home, community, and world

God ALWAYS uses the lowly and the humble

It is a blessing and it is out of HIs mercy that we get to be used to further HIs great name!!

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Luke 15:1-7 “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

II. (v.2) She was a courageous, righteous woman

Exodus 2:2 “So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.”

(Context and Culture)

Moses was her third child

Miriam (sister)—most likely 13-16 years old at Moses’ birth

Aaron—(Moses’ only brother) was three years older at Moses’ birth

(Aaron was not subject to the king’s decree that ALL boys where to be killed at his birth)

Moses was born right after the new law of the king was passed (death by drowning of all newborn baby boys); picture this for a moment

Uneasiness/anxiousness at realizing she was pregnant

Concern/fear/worry that was on their minds, during the 9 months of pregnancy--”What if our child’s a boy?’

Conversations and prayers about what to do, what would happen if their child was a boy

Moses’ mothers response—the worry of their baby boy had become a reality; what did she do?

She did the courageous and righteous thing—amidst the worry and real threat of losing her own life, she hid Moses for three months. Day to day, week after week, she did what was necessary and needed to protect and keep Moses hidden

Why? Why would she risk her own life to save her child’s—the same thing which drives many mothers to save their child’s life when their life is threatened

Love

Duty

Responsibility

Righteousness

Justice

Sanctity of life

(Consider Genesis 3 about pains in child rearing)

“Beautiful” child—(2 meanings)

Refers to Moses’ physical appearance---meaning he was a beautiful child (Genesis 39:6 “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”)

Refers to “fair in the sight of God.” The Greek speaks to this meaning in Acts

Acts 7:20 “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.”

What’s the point in all of this?

Moses’ mother was courageous—her faith was courageous; Moses mother was righteous—she did what was right in the sight of God

God had given Moses’ mother a sense that her child was special

Moses was a gift—a special gift from God

Moses’ life was important to God—so his mother had to be courageous and do the righteous thing

Moses’ purpose in life was far more important than even his mother’s love—so she desired to save him, b/c she believed and realized this, she protected and hid him from the authorities/neighbors/whoever might have been a threat to her child—at the risk of her own life

(You and me)

(First)-when it comes to the obedience to God or obedience to man (the state), we are to be courageous and righteous and do what honors God and what is obedient to God—ALWAYS

Deuteronomy 5:29 “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”

Matthew 7:21 ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”

(Second)—how many parents see their children the way Moses’ mother did? How many parents view their children as gifts from God, preciously made in His image, preciously held as special and important? What kind of world would exist if parents followed the example of Moses’ mother:

If parents loved their children—truly loved their children

If parents saw their children as gifts of God—as very special and important to God

If parents protected their children, protected them even at the risk of their own lives

If parents committed their children to God, their welfare, future, care, and the lives into the hands of God

If parents led their children to love and trust God—to trust in His Word and His promises

If parents taught their children the Word of God—and prayed with them

Note what Scripture says about children

Children are a gift of God

Genesis 33:5 “And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.””

Genesis 48:9 “Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.””

Joshua 24:3 “Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac.”

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Isaiah 8:18 “Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.”

Children must be taught the Word of God and the promises of God. They must be taught to follow after God

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,”

Deuteronomy 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Isaiah 28:9 ““Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?”

Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Parents—you need to know something—we have a God-given responsibility to train up our children, to teach them the things of God, teach them about salvation, about sanctification, and about living holy lives

If you neglect/refuse/reject/do not believe in this responsibility—know that if you will not teach your children—the world will and what the world (their friends, peers, secular education, society, culture) teaches brings condemnation, bondage, and the things which whither and pass away---the world teaches them to possess an image they were not designed to bear

III.(v.3-4) She was a woman of great wisdom; she planned ahead and trusted God completely

Exodus 2:3-4 “But when she could no longer hide him, she 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. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.”

(Context and Culture)—

The day came when Moses could no longer be hidden. Why? Scripture doesn’t say, but we can surmise:

Patrols would periodically take place to ensure compliance and adherence to Egyptian rule—to keep the Israelite under control (in-check)

Patrols would have most likely included house-to-house checks—to ensure adherence to the king’s decree concerning Hebrew baby boys

Danger was present:

Babies cry—Moses could have been heard

The possibility of some neighbor—hoping for self-preservation or reward—would have turned her in (threatening both Moses and his mother)

What questions and what kinds of questions do you think flooded the mind of Moses’ mother?

“Why did out precious baby have to be a boy?”

“Why did our family have to live in a place like Egypt?”

“Why did our family have to live under the rule of Pharaoh?”

“How long do we have to keep hiding our son?

“What can I do to save my baby?”

What was Moses’ mother’s resolution—what is it she realized that we need to?

God answers our most perplexing questions

God meets our deepest needs

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

God shows us what to do

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

What did Moses’ mother do? She had to be wise---work out the wisest plan she could—she had to trust God—completely trust that God would use her plan to save her child

She made a watertight ark-like basket (v.3)

She put Moses in the basket and placed the basket among the reeds of the Nile River (she knew right where to put him)—walk through the symmetry with me here:

Moses’ “ark” alludes to Noah’s ark—and just as Noah’s ark served as a vessel for God’s divine deliverance of Noah and his family (floating vessel), so to does Moses’ ark serve the same purpose—to divinely deliver Moses

The word for ark here is one of only two (2) times it is used in the Bible—it shows:

the ark was a place salvation—safety and security—for both Noah and Moses

Christ is the believers’s ark—our salvation from judgment, the believer’s safety and security

Moses’ “ark was placed among the reeds, (1) so it would not drift away, but (2) it would be visible (it’s where Egyptian women would come to bathe)

She had Moses’ sister watch over Moses

The point to see is this: Moses’ mother possessed and used great wisdom and faith. She did all she could and trusted God with the rest; she acted according to God’s promises and Who He was (is), and trusted her son’s life to the truth/promises/faithfulness of God

(You and me)—see the symmetry!!!

We need to see the perfection of God’s wisdom in His plan of our deliverance from the condemnation of sin

He laid out the best plan and carried it out

In the midst of our sin (Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ), He sent HIs Son to the cross

(See this nugget) It was God’s great and perfect wisdom to send us His Son, Jesus Christ to be both the mode and means of our deliverance and salvation

Both Noah’s and Moses’ ark were means of God’s deliverance

Both Noah’s and Moses’ ark were visible—placed where others could see it

The “ark” of our deliverance is the cross—

Inasmuch as the arks of Noah and Moses were placed in a conspicuous place—a place to be seen, so to was

The cross was placed in a conspicuous place, a place to be seen (the hill of Calvary)

So that in delivering Jesus as our substitute, God would deliver us from the bondage, wage, and condemnation and into liberty and a relationship

Man is in desperate need of deliverance—believers often times find themselves in deliverance from situations and circumstances:

oppression

loss

sickness

death

loneliness

emptiness/failure

temptation and sin

Great wisdom and faith are needed to trust that the cross of Christ—the blood of the Lamb—can and does deliver us from these things—and it can and does deliver man from their single greatest need (being freed from death to life, from bondage to liberty)

So many people need to see this truth: The cross—the means and mode of our deliverance from the tyranny of sin—was not placed somewhere only a few could see it; nor was it (is it) placed in a place where only certain people had access to it.

The enemy wants nothing more than for those held in the bondage and wages of sin to think and believe the cross isn’t reserved for them, that their sin is too ugly and evil for the cross to redeem, that the deliverance from sin isn’t afforded to them b/c of their stature, status, past, hurt, or fear.

The truth of the gospel is that the cross of Christ was placed on the hill of Calvary for all to see—for all to see and know that the promise of the deliverance of man from their sin is for ALL mankind, ALL who cry out and trust in the name of Jesus Christ

The cross—which was meant for death; which was to serve as our defeat—God turned into victory—that at Christ’s last breath our sins were washed and at His first breath of resurrection we assured life—our means/mode of God’s deliverance was solidified

IV.(v.5-8) She witnessed the sovereign, guiding hand of God

Exodus 2:5-8 “Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother.”

(Culture and Context)—The plan of Moses’ mother worked:

(v.5) Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the ark-like basket

(v.6) Pharaoh’s daughter was moved with compassion when she opened the basket and discovered the child

She knew the child was Hebrew

(v.7) Miriam demonstrated great faith and courage, (1) walking up to Pharaoh’s daughter, (2) suggesting a Hebrew woman nurse the baby

(v.8) Pharaoh’s daughter agreed and who did Miriam go get? Moses’ mother

(You and me)—The point to see and understand is God’s sovereignty (we mention the following verse a lot, but what does it really mean?)

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

First Assurance of Deliverance: God works all things out for those who love Him—Scripture actually declares that in ALL things God works for the good for the believer (He knows what’s best for you, He knows exactly what you need to sustain you, to grow you, strengthen you, and mold you. He works ALL things (good and bad) for his (believer’s) good

“All things”—God does control the events of the world; yet He controls all the events and happenings that happen in the life of a believer. He works “all things” out for the good of the believer

“Work”—means to create and eliminate; place and replace; connect and group; interrelate and intermingle, shape and forge, press and stretch, move and operate; control and guide, arrange and influence

It is a “present action”—means God is continually working all things

He doesn’t stop working

He works daily, moment to moment arranging an re-arranging all things for the believer’s good

“Good”—means for the “ultimate good.”

God sees the future—we cannot God sees the results of each and every event—we cannot God sees all the events of our lives (past, present, future) and works them out for our ultimate good ***ALERT, ALERT***

God works out for good ONLY to those who LOVE God and are CALLED according to His purpose

“Of those who love Him,” (Greek Language lays this out emphatically) is placed first in the sentence, so in the originally language is reads:

“But we know that to those who love God all things work together for good.”

GOD ONLY LOOKS AFTER THE AFFAIRS OF THE PERSON WHO LOVES HIM

If you do not love God—if you do not place your life into His hands:

How can God take care of you?

If you turn you back on God, if you walk away from God:

How can God look after and take care of you

So many people, even professed believers, walk around with this superficial love for God, for Jesus, yet they won’t:

Commit your lives to Him.

Surrender to Him as Savior and Lord

Loving God is the commitment of one’s whole heart to Jesus Christ (the you of you is placed into the hands of the one who created the you of you)

God cannot and will not force HIs care on you.

He will not force you to live at His beck and call…it’s a decision you have to make. He wants love that flows from the heart, from the heart that chooses to love Him

“...called according to his purpose.” The believer’s deliverance is purposed by God. God calls him for the glorious purpose of being saved from the struggle and sufferings of this life.

The believer’s position and behavior are both involved in the call of God.

Positionally, God chooses the believer by setting him apart through the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth.

In behavior, God calls the believer to a life of purity and holiness.

The point is this: This verse in Romans 8, is exampled for us in the life of Moses’ mother—her courageous faith and belief in God trusted that despite oppression, fear, and the threat of losing her son—God would work out all things for her good

Your situation is most likely not like Moses’ mother, but what is it, what are you facing that you are desperate for it to end?

Whatever it is, be reminded of this:

God delivers the person who is both positioned in Christ and who lives/pursues a sanctified life; a pure and holy life.

It is the godly person who loves God that will be delivered from the struggling and suffering of this corrupt world.

V. (v.9-10) She had her faith rewarded

Exodus 2:9-10 “Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.””

(Context and Culture)

She was hired to nurse Moses (her own son); but think a little a more on this to see what this meant

Paid wages—(provision)

Moses was to grow up (for a time) learning from his own father and mother (provision/protection)—

About God

God’s people, and

God’s promises in what He had done for Israel

Moses was to grow up (for a time) maintaining a relationship with his mother then and when she delivered him to the palace

Something she couldn’t even know would have happened, unless she chose to believe, trust, and obey

She witnessed God work out all things for her good and for His sovereign plan/purpose

Think on this: God took the evil plan of Pharaoh—twisted it and worked it our for good

Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Excerpt from Joseph’s conversation with his family)

Her son was saved

Her son was adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh

Pharaoh’s daughter named Moses— “Moses” means “I drew him out of the water”

Pharaoh was to feed, shelter, clothe, and protect the very child that was to free the Israelites—the very thing he was trying to prevent

He was literally raising up the child—who when he stood in front of Pharaoh—Pharaoh had no idea was the

(You and me)—WORSHIP TEAM

(For the unbeliever here today or online):

Maybe like so many other people, when you hear or read accounts like Moses’ mother, you encase them within the cover of the Bible and resolve in your hearts and minds, that it was something specific and dedicated to ONLY those people; maybe it has become easy to think that these were events reserved only for those names written within Scripture and not for you;

Maybe you’ve been living so long, thinking that your strongholds, your addictions, you heritage, or your past has no way of being overcome like those is Scripture or others you know---if this is you, let me remind you of what the author of Hebrews and Paul writes:

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

2 Timothy 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The same promise of deliverance which God fulfilled for Israel in delivering them from bondage..is the same promise He has reserved for you, to free you from bondage. God’s Word---the entirety of God’s Word has a single red thread, which represents God’s glorious plan of redemption in Jesus Christ

(For the believer here today or online):

There are times in the lives of the believer where we need reminding of how God has promised to work out all things for our good

Maybe you are working and going through a season of struggle, persecution, or hardship and loss, and as you are working through these things, your focus and perspective has become fuzzy or skewed.

What can we take away from the account of Moses’ mother that can help us?

Moses’ mother didn’t have an awe problem…she held God in awe and trusted as such

Paul Tripp’s book “Awe”

Problem of AWN (Awe-wrongness)0