Exodus 2:5 – “Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.”
Extended Explanation
Exodus 2:5 marks a pivotal moment in the story of Moses. Pharaoh’s daughter, while bathing in the Nile, discovers the basket containing the baby Moses among the reeds. This discovery sets into motion the events that will eventually lead to Moses being raised in Pharaoh’s palace, despite the decree that all Hebrew baby boys were to be killed.
Pharaoh’s daughter’s actions are surprising and significant. She, a member of the royal family, could have easily followed her father’s decree and let the child perish. However, she chose to show compassion, a choice that would have a profound impact on the history of Israel. The fact that she was moved to save the child suggests that even in the heart of an oppressive regime, God’s compassion can take root and flourish in unexpected places.
Historical Context
The historical context of this verse is set during a time of severe oppression for the Israelites. The Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of the Hebrews, had ordered that all Hebrew baby boys be drowned in the Nile River. This was a time of great fear and suffering for the Hebrew people, who were living as slaves in Egypt.
Pharaoh’s daughter was a member of the ruling class, and her finding Moses in the river is significant because it shows the intersection of two very different worlds: the oppressed Hebrews and the powerful Egyptians. Her actions in rescuing Moses highlight the complexity of human compassion, even in a system designed to oppress.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Exodus 2:5 shows that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to accomplish His purposes. Pharaoh’s daughter, an Egyptian princess, becomes an instrument of God’s plan to save Moses, who would later deliver Israel from slavery. This verse illustrates the theme of God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through all kinds of people, even those who might seem unlikely or opposed to His will.
This also speaks to the idea of divine providence. While Moses’ mother placed him in the river with hope but no certainty of what would happen, God orchestrated events so that the one person who could save Moses would be the one to find him. This underscores the belief that God is in control, even when situations seem dire or uncertain.
Literary Analysis
Exodus 2:5 is a turning point in the narrative, transitioning from the desperate actions of Moses’ mother to the unfolding of God’s plan for Moses’ life. The verse is rich in contrast—the river, which was intended to be a place of death for Hebrew boys, becomes a place of rescue and new beginnings for Moses.
The use of the word “saw” is significant in this verse. It wasn’t just that Pharaoh’s daughter happened to find Moses; she “saw” him, which implies a deeper recognition and a stirring of compassion. This seeing leads to action, as she immediately sends her attendant to retrieve the basket. This sequence of seeing and acting is a common biblical theme that highlights the importance of both recognizing need and responding to it.
Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 16:7-13 – The story of Hagar and Ishmael, where God sees and cares for them in the wilderness, parallels how God sees and cares for Moses in his time of need.
- Isaiah 49:15 – “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.” This verse speaks to God’s unwavering compassion, mirrored in the actions of Pharaoh’s daughter.
- Matthew 2:13-15 – The flight of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus into Egypt to escape Herod’s decree echoes the theme of God’s protective care in dangerous circumstances.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Exodus 2:5 serves as a reminder that God can bring about good in even the most unlikely circumstances. Pharaoh’s daughter’s decision to rescue Moses teaches us that compassion and justice can arise even in the midst of oppression and darkness. This encourages us to be alert to opportunities where we can act as agents of God’s compassion, even in difficult situations.
This verse also reassures us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Just as He orchestrated the rescue of Moses through an Egyptian princess, God is capable of working through all kinds of people and circumstances to accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 2:5 demonstrates God’s loving care for His people. In this moment, God’s love is expressed through the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter. This shows that God’s love is not limited by human boundaries or divisions; it can reach across cultural, social, and even political lines to accomplish His will.
God’s love is also evident in His protection of Moses. Even though Moses was born into a situation where his life was at risk, God ensured that he would be saved. This verse reflects the idea that God’s love is active and protective, always working to safeguard those He has called according to His purpose.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
The story of Moses being rescued from certain death by Pharaoh’s daughter has parallels to the life of Jesus. Just as Moses was saved from the murderous decree of Pharaoh, Jesus was protected from King Herod’s order to kill all male children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Both stories highlight God’s intervention to protect the ones He has chosen to deliver His people.
Moreover, Moses would go on to lead the Israelites out of physical bondage in Egypt, while Jesus would lead humanity out of spiritual bondage to sin. The rescue of Moses foreshadows the greater rescue that Jesus would accomplish through His life, death, and resurrection.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter challenge you to act with compassion in your own life, even towards those who are different from you?
- What does this verse teach you about God’s ability to use unlikely people to accomplish His purposes?
- In what ways have you seen God work in your life through unexpected or surprising circumstances?
- How does understanding God’s protective care for Moses deepen your trust in His care for you?
- How can you be more attentive to opportunities where God might be calling you to act with compassion and justice?
This verse encourages us to trust in God’s protective love and to be open to how He might use us, even in small ways, to accomplish His purposes in the world.