God's Blessing

What does Exodus 2:6 really mean?

6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

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Setting the Scene for Exodus 2:6

The scene in Exodus 2:6 takes place by the riverbank of the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter, named Bithiah, has come to bathe in the river with her maidservants. As she walks along the river, she notices a basket among the reeds. Curious, she sends one of her maidservants to retrieve it. Inside the basket, she finds a baby boy crying. This baby is Moses, who had been placed in the basket by his mother to save him from Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male babies.

Bithiah is moved with compassion for the baby and decides to adopt him as her own son. Miriam, Moses’ sister, who had been watching from a distance, approaches Bithiah and offers to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Bithiah agrees, and Miriam fetches Moses’ own mother, Jochebed, to nurse him. This remarkable turn of events not only saves Moses’ life but also allows him to be raised in the palace of Pharaoh, where he will eventually play a crucial role in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

What is Exodus 2:6 about?

We witness a powerful example of compassion and kindness in Exodus 2:6. Despite Moses being a Hebrew baby, an enemy of the Egyptians, Pharaoh’s daughter showed empathy towards him. She did not follow her father’s decree to kill all Hebrew male babies but instead chose to rescue Moses from the river and raise him as her own. This act of compassion not only saved Moses’ life but also played a crucial role in shaping his destiny as a great leader of the Israelites.

This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and kindness in a world filled with division and hostility. Pharaoh’s daughter’s actions teach us that it is possible to go against the norm and show compassion, even when it may be difficult or risky. It prompts us to reflect on our own choices and challenges us to consider how we can show compassion to those around us, especially to those who may be different from us or facing adversity. The story of Pharaoh’s daughter and baby Moses encourages us to break barriers, build bridges, and choose love over fear and hatred. Pharaoh’s daughter spread love and compassion wherever she went, just as she did for baby Moses.

Understanding what Exodus 2:6 really means

Structure for the Commentary:

  1. Introduction to the Verse
  2. Historical and Contextual Background
  3. Interpretation of Key Phrases
  4. Relation to Other Biblical Passages
  5. Contemporary Relevance
  6. Personal Anecdote and Concluding Thoughts

Commentary on Exodus 2:6:

  1. Introduction to the Verse:
    This verse occurs in the story of baby Moses being discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter. It’s a pivotal moment that sets the stage for Moses’ eventual leadership and the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

  2. Historical and Contextual Background:
    At this point in Exodus, the Israelites are living under harsh conditions in Egypt. Pharaoh has decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed. To save her son, Moses’ mother places him in a basket on the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter discovers him, and he is raised in the Egyptian palace. This act of compassion by Pharaoh’s daughter is crucial for the unfolding of God’s plan for His people.

  3. Interpretation of Key Phrases:

  4. “Opened it and saw the child”: This highlights the moment of discovery, a turning point that changes the fate of Moses and, by extension, the Israelites. It teaches us the importance of moments of compassion and intervention.
  5. “Behold, the baby was crying”: This detail humanizes the scene and evokes empathy. It emphasizes the vulnerability of the innocent caught in dire circumstances. The act of recognizing another’s needs often prompts compassionate action.

  6. “She took pity on him”: This phrase encapsulates the unexpected mercy from an unlikely source. Pharaoh’s daughter defies her father’s brutal orders, driven by compassion. It showcases the power of empathy to transcend cultural and familial barriers.

  7. Relation to Other Biblical Passages:
    This event calls to mind the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where compassion crosses boundaries, bridging differences. Another parallel can be drawn to Esther, who also found herself in a position of influence within a royal court and used her status to deliver her people (Esther 4:14).

  8. The verse speaks volumes about the power of individual acts of kindness in today’s world. It reminds us that compassion can come from the most unexpected places and that small acts of mercy can have monumental impacts. The story prompts reflection on our capacity to care for others, even those different from us, in a society often divided by hate and fear.

  9. Personal Anecdote and Concluding Thoughts:
    I recall a time when a community rallied to support a refugee family. Initially strangers, people from different backgrounds came together to offer shelter, resources, and friendship. This act of collective compassion transformed the lives of the refugee family, echoing the story of Moses. It reinforced for me the profound truth that empathy and action, regardless of origin, are divine forces for change. This verse from Exodus is not just an ancient narrative, but a timeless reminder of the power of mercy and the ripple effects of a single compassionate act. It urges us to look for opportunities to act with kindness, no matter how small they may seem, trusting that God can use them to bring about significant transformation.

What lessons can we learn from Moses’ rescue?

From Moses’ rescue, we can learn about the importance of being resourceful and taking action in difficult situations. Moses’ mother placed him in a basket and set him among the reeds by the bank of the river, showing her resourcefulness in seeking a way to save her son from harm. This action ultimately led to Moses being found by Pharaoh’s daughter and rescued from danger.

Additionally, the story teaches us about the power of divine providence and how God can work through unexpected circumstances to fulfill His plans. Despite the extreme danger Moses faced as a baby, God was watching over him and orchestrated events in a way that ultimately led to his protection and upbringing in the royal court of Egypt. This reminds us to trust in God’s sovereignty and believe that He can bring good out of even the most challenging or desperate situations.

Furthermore, Moses’ rescue demonstrates the importance of courage and faith in the face of adversity. Moses’ mother took a great risk in placing her son in the river, trusting that God would somehow protect him. She acted in faith, believing in a greater purpose and plan despite the dangers. This challenges us to step out in courage and trust God, even when our circumstances seem impossible or overwhelming.

Application

Imagine you’re juggling work deadlines and family responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed and lost. Just like Moses’ mother trusted the river to carry her baby to safety, it’s time to trust that God’s got your back in your chaos. Step out in faith, even when the future is uncertain. Will you choose to believe in His plan and take that leap today?