MOSES

Moses was born during the time this cruel law was in force. His mother hid him as long as she could. Then she made a little basket from the tall, strong grass that grew by the river, and sealed the basket with pitch so water could not get into the basket. She put the baby in the basket and putSRme 1.403

the basket in the water near the edge of the river. Moses' sister stayed nearby but pretended not to see the basket. But she watched anxiously to see what would happen to her little brother.SRme 1.404

Angels also were watching. They would not allow anything to hurt the baby. Moses' loving mother prayed earnestly, with tears, that God would care for him.SRme 1.405

The angels guided Pharaoh's daughter to a place by the river near the spot where the baby lay. The princess noticed the small basket, and sent one of her maids to bring the basket to her.SRme 1.406

When she lifted the cover of the little basket-boat, she saw a lovely baby inside. When the baby began to cry, Pharaoh's daughter felt pity for him. She knew an Israelite mother had prepared this little basket-boat to save the life of the baby she loved so much. The princess decided immediately that this baby should be her son.SRme 1.407

Moses' sister immediately came forward and asked, "'Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for you?'SRme 1.408

"'Please do,'" Pharaoh's daughter answered (Ex 2:7, 8).SRme 1.409

Joyfully, the baby's sister ran to her mother to tell her the exciting news. She quickly led her mother to Pharaoh's daughter. The baby was given to the mother to care for and nurse. She was paid generously for bringing up her own son.SRme 1.410

With thanks to God, the mother began her now safe and happy work of caring for baby Moses. She faithfully taught her little son how to live a useful life. She was more careful in training Moses than she had been with her other children because she knew God wanted him to do a great work. Through her faithful teachings she put in Moses' young mind love for God, for truth, and for justice. In addition, she prayed that God would keep her son from every evil influence. She taught him to kneel and pray to the living God. God alone would be able to hear and help Moses in times of great need. She also taught Moses the sinfulness of idolatry.SRme 1.411

Moses' mother knew that soon he would be separated from her influence. His adopted royal mother would put him where he would be influenced not to believe in the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth.SRme 1.412

The teachings Moses received from his parents were designed to strengthen his mind and keep him from becoming proud and sinful when he would be surrounded by the beauty and riches of life in his Egyptian home. Moses had a clear mind and an understanding heart. He never forgot the godly teachings he received in his youth. His mother kept him as long as she could. When Moses was almost twelve years old she had to give him up to became the son of Pharaoh's daughter.SRme 1.413

Satan was defeated in his attempt to keep Israel from having a deliverer. When Satan led Pharaoh to have the boy babies killed, he thought he could kill the one child whom God was going to use to deliver Israel. That way Satan could keep God from finishing His plan. But God used the law that commanded people to kill Israelite boys to place Moses in the royal family. In the palaceSRme 1.414

Moses had the opportunity to become well educated and well qualified to lead his people out of Egypt.SRme 1.415

Pharaoh expected to place his adopted grandson on the throne. He trained Moses to lead the armies of Egypt into battle. Moses was a great favorite with the Egyptian army because he showed great skill and wisdom in time of war. "He was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a great man in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22, TEV). To the Egyptians Moses was a great and special man.SRme 1.416