What emotions might Pharaoh's daughter have felt upon seeing the "crying" baby? Setting the Scene Exodus 2:5–6 sets the moment: “Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe at the Nile, while her attendants walked along the riverbank. Seeing a basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. She had compassion on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrew children.’ ” Immediate Emotional Response: Compassion • The text explicitly says she “had compassion.” • Hebrew verb carries the idea of deep mercy and tender pity—she was instantly moved. • Comparable moments of compassion in Scripture: – 1 Kings 3:26, where the true mother’s “heart yearned” for her child. – Luke 7:13, where Jesus “was moved with compassion” toward a bereaved mother. Underlying Fear and Concern • Recognition: “This is one of the Hebrew children” meant the baby was under a death decree (Exodus 1:22). • Emotional tension: fear for the child’s life and possible anxiety over defying her father’s command. • Echoed later in Esther 4:11–16, where acting against royal decree carried grave risk. Stirring of Protective Instincts • Maternal stirrings—even though not yet a mother, God often awakens a protective impulse (cf. Isaiah 49:15). • Practical steps followed immediately: she keeps the baby, seeks a nurse, and ensures his upbringing (Exodus 2:7–10). Feeling led to action is a hallmark of genuine compassion (James 2:15–16). Possible Moral Conflict and Resolve • Loyalty to family versus obedience to higher moral law—choosing life over death. • The cry may have pressed a moral decision in her heart, similar to the Good Samaritan who “took pity” and acted (Luke 10:33–34). • Her resolve foreshadows Acts 5:29—“We must obey God rather than men.” Sense of Wonder and Awe • The providential timing (basket appearing just then) could evoke awe at something bigger unfolding. • Psalm 33:11 reminds us, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever,” underscoring how God’s purposes were being worked out before her eyes. Summary of Likely Emotions • Compassionate pity • Protective maternal instinct • Fear and concern under royal decree • Moral tension, resolved in courageous action • Awe at the unfolding providence of God Pharaoh’s daughter’s emotional journey in that moment showcases how God can stir the heart—even within a hostile culture—to protect life and accomplish His redemptive plan. |
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