The Rise of Moses: Birth, Flight, and Call to Deliverance

Despite being born into an era of peril and uncertainty, Moses' life, guided by divine providence, becomes an inspiring testament of courage, defiance, and commitment to justice. His journey from the reeds of the Nile to the land of Midian sets the stage for his calling as a deliverer, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, hope and liberation are within reach.

A Child is Born (Verses 1-2)

Amidst the threat of Pharaoh's decree, a Levi woman gives birth to a son and hides him for three months, foreseeing his future significance.

A Basket in the Nile (Verses 3-4)

Unable to hide him any longer, she places him in a tar-coated basket in the Nile, watched over by his sister.

Moses is Found (Verses 5-6)

Pharaoh's daughter discovers the baby, and moved by compassion, decides to raise him as her own.

The Mother's Reward (Verses 7-9)

Moses' mother is chosen to nurse her own son, and is paid wages by Pharaoh's daughter.

Grown-up Moses (Verse 10)

Moses, after being weaned, is brought back to Pharaoh's daughter and officially becomes her son. He's named Moses, meaning "I drew him out of the water."

An Act of Defiance (Verses 11-14)

Moses, now grown, witnesses the brutality of Egyptian oppression and kills an abusive Egyptian.

Flight to Midian (Verse 15)

Fearing for his life after his act is discovered, Moses flees to Midian.

Living in Exile (Verses 16-22)

In Midian, Moses defends Reuel's daughters, marries Zipporah, and becomes a father to Gershom.

The Cry of the Israelites (Verses 23-25)

As the Israelites' suffering continues under a new Pharaoh, their cries ascend to God, who remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This chapter unfolds the remarkable journey of Moses, from his miraculous survival of Pharaoh's decree, to his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter, his flight to Midian after standing up against Egyptian oppression, and his divine call to liberate the Israelites. Through the weaving of these remarkable events, we witness the threads of divine providence shaping the destiny of a deliverer.

1. Divine Providence
2. Courage and Defiance
3. Struggle and Liberation
4. Exile and Identity
5. Divine Covenant1. The Birth of Moses
2. The Adoption of Moses by Pharaoh's Daughter
3. Moses' Intervention and Flight to Midian
4. Moses' Life in Midian and his Marriage
5. The Cry of the Israelites and God's Response1. Moses
2. Moses' Mother
3. Moses' Sister
4. Pharaoh's Daughter
5. Pharaoh
6. Reuel (Priest of Midian)
7. Reuel's Daughters (One of whom is Zipporah)
8. Gershom (Moses' Son)1. Nile River, Egypt
2. Land of Midian

1. How does Moses' mother demonstrate courage and faith? Can you think of a personal situation where you exhibited similar traits?

2. How does Pharaoh's daughter act in defiance of her father's decree? What does this tell us about personal responsibility and justice?

3. Discuss the significance of Moses' name. How does it reflect his journey and his future role?

4. How did Moses' act of defending the Hebrew worker shape his future?

5. Can you draw parallels between Moses' flight to Midian and situations of asylum-seeking today?

6. How did Moses' experience in Midian prepare him for his future task of liberating the Israelites?

7. How does Moses' intervention on behalf of Reuel's daughters reflect his character?

8. Why do you think Moses' act against the Egyptian was discovered? What lessons can we draw from this?

9. How does the naming of Moses' son, Gershom, reflect Moses' personal feelings about his situation?

10. Discuss how the Israelites' cry for deliverance represents collective suffering and longing for liberation.

11. How does the story of Moses inspire you to act justly and courageously?

12. What does God remembering His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob tell us about divine faithfulness?

13. How can we apply the lessons from Moses' journey to our daily lives?

14. In the face of oppression, how can individuals stand up for justice like Moses did?

15. What does this chapter teach about the importance of holding onto faith during times of despair?

16. How does Moses' life story encourage perseverance and resilience?

17. How does Moses' journey from being a prince of Egypt to a shepherd in Midian relate to identity and purpose?

18. Discuss the divine intervention in Moses' life. Can you think of any personal experiences of divine intervention?

19. How can Moses' actions in defending Reuel's daughters inspire us in today's context?

20. Discuss the role of compassion and empathy in the story, as demonstrated by Moses' mother and Pharaoh's daughter. How can we cultivate these virtues in our lives?