Chapter 8—Angels at the Time of the Exodus

The Birth of Moses

As time rolled on, [Joseph] the great man to whom Egypt owed so much ... passed to the grave. And “there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” ... “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.” .... Orders were issued ... to destroy the Hebrew male children at their birth. Satan was the mover in this matter. He knew that a deliverer was to be raised up among the Israelites; and by leading the king to destroy their children he hoped to defeat the divine purpose....TA 88.1

While this decree was in full force, a son was born to Amram and Jochebed.... The mother succeeded in concealing the child [Moses] for three months. Then, finding that she could no longer keep him safely, she prepared a little ark of rushes, making it watertight by means of slime and pitch; and laying the babe therein, she placed it among the flags at the river's brink. She dared not remain to guard it, lest the child's life and her own should be forfeited; but his sister, Miriam, lingered near, ... anxiously watching to see what would become of her little brother. And there were other watchers. The mother's earnest prayers had committed her child to the care of God; and angels, unseen, hovered above his lowly resting place. Angels directed Pharaoh's daughter thither. Her curiosity was excited by the little basket, and as she looked upon the beautiful child within, she read the story at a glance. The tears of the babe awakened her compassion, and ... she determined that he should be saved; she would adopt him as her own.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 241-243.TA 88.2

The elders of Israel were taught by angels that the time for their deliverance was near, and that Moses was the man whom God would employ to accomplish this work. Angels instructed Moses also that Jehovah had chosen him to break the bondage of his people. He, supposing that they were to obtain their freedom by force of arms, expected to lead the Hebrew host against the armies of Egypt.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 245.TA 89.1

Moses remained at court until he was forty years of age.... One day while thus abroad, seeing an Egyptian smiting an Israelite, he sprung forward, and slew the Egyptian ... and immediately buried the body in the sand.... [Moses] made his escape and fled toward Arabia.... After a time, Moses married one of the daughters of Jethro; and here, in the service of his father-in-law, as keeper of his flocks, he remained forty years.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 246, 247.TA 89.2