Adoption: Illustrated: Moses
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Adoption, as a concept within the biblical narrative, is a profound demonstration of God's providence and grace, often serving as a means to fulfill His divine purposes. The account of Moses is a quintessential illustration of adoption in the Bible, showcasing how God orchestrates circumstances to bring about His plans for His people.

Moses' Early Life and Adoption

Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, was born during a time of great peril for the Israelites in Egypt. The Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of the Hebrews, decreed that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be killed (Exodus 1:22). In this dire context, Moses' mother, Jochebed, sought to preserve his life by placing him in a basket along the banks of the Nile River.

The providential hand of God is evident as Pharaoh's daughter discovers the basket. Moved with compassion, she decides to adopt the child as her own, despite knowing he was a Hebrew (Exodus 2:5-6). This act of adoption not only saves Moses' life but also positions him uniquely within the Egyptian royal household, providing him with an education and upbringing that would later be instrumental in his leadership.

Scriptural Account

The account of Moses' adoption is succinctly captured in Exodus 2:10 : "When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, 'I drew him out of the water.'"

This verse highlights the dual identity Moses carried throughout his life—born a Hebrew, yet raised as an Egyptian prince. His name, Moses, meaning "drawn out," is emblematic of his life's journey and mission, as he would later draw the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt.

Theological Implications

Moses' adoption is not merely a historical event but carries deep theological significance. It illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to use unexpected means to accomplish His will. Through adoption, Moses was placed in a position where he could later confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom, fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Moreover, Moses' account prefigures the spiritual adoption that believers experience through Christ. Just as Moses was drawn out of the water and given a new identity, Christians are drawn out of sin and death, adopted into God's family, and given a new identity in Christ (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5).

Moses' Dual Heritage

Moses' adoption also underscores the theme of dual heritage. Raised in the Egyptian court, he was familiar with the culture, language, and politics of Egypt, yet he never lost his connection to his Hebrew roots. This duality equipped him uniquely for his role as a mediator between God and His people, and as a leader who could navigate both the Egyptian and Hebrew worlds.

Conclusion

The adoption of Moses is a powerful narrative that demonstrates God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of adoption, both in the physical and spiritual realms, and the ways in which God can use individuals from diverse backgrounds to fulfill His purposes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 2:10
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... How well this is illustrated in the experience of the people ... 12); our justification
(Rom.5:1); our adoption (Gal.3 ... It is a question of Moses or Christ, works or ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... us into the realization of our adoption in the ... in Christ Jesus we escape from Moses,
the taskmaster ... This according to the apostle is further illustrated by our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... For by the law are illustrated the wisdom, goodness ... 5, 6.) "The law was given by
Moses; Grace and ... righteousness of faith, and through gracious adoption in Christ ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Of Prayer
... Argument founded on a passage in Moses. ... Answer, confirmed by Scripture, and illustrated
by examples. ... the earnest, the Holy Spirit the witness, of our adoption. ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/of prayer.htm

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
... [Sidenote: Adoption of the ... the older prophetic and late priestly accounts of the
same events might be illustrated by scores ... (21a, c) Then Moses stretched out ...
/.../ix influences that gave rise.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... Even after the resurrection had illustrated so marvellously the ... "Beginning at Moses
and all ... him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ...
... be more Christian and more worthy of universal adoption. ... before God left off granting."
Moses taught the ... in His teaching and example, illustrated and perfected ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vi nothing is impossible.htm

The Judges.
... These grew out of: (a) the adoption of Canaanite customs ... race; Joseph saved them
from famine; Moses gave them a ... (5) The New Testament truths illustrated in the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... election, the grace of God being illustrated by the ... cause does not appear, except
that Moses, to deprive ... the secret election in which adoption is comprehended. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

Introduction to the De Trinitate.
... 36-39, Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah are adduced as ... Christ is Son by birth, not by
adoption, from the ... 27): this is illustrated by the transmission of physical ...
/.../introduction to the de trinitate.htm

Resources
What does it mean that Christians are adopted by God? | GotQuestions.org

How can I recover from a failed adoption? | GotQuestions.org

Having Children ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Adoption: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Adoption

Adoption is According to Promise

Adoption is by Faith

Adoption is of God's Grace

Adoption is Through Christ

Adoption is to be Pleaded in Prayer

Adoption of Esther

Adoption of Gentiles, Predicted

Adoption of Joseph's Sons

Adoption of Moses

Adoption: A Privilege of Saints

Adoption: Being Led by the Spirit is an Evidence of

Adoption: Confers a New Name

Adoption: Entitles to an Inheritance

Adoption: Explained

Adoption: General Scriptures Concerning

Adoption: God is Patience and Merciful Towards the Partakers of

Adoption: Illustrated: Esther

Adoption: Illustrated: Joseph's Sons

Adoption: Illustrated: Moses

Adoption: New Birth Connected With

Adoption: Safety of Those Who Receive

Adoption: Saints Become Brethren of Christ By

Adoption: Saints Predestinated To

Adoption: Saints Receive the Spirit of

Adoption: Saints Wait for Final Consummation of

Adoption: should Lead to Holiness

Adoption: should Produce a Desire for God's Glory

Adoption: should Produce a Forgiving Spirit

Adoption: should Produce a Love of Peace

Adoption: should Produce a Merciful Spirit

Adoption: should Produce a Spirit of Prayer

Adoption: should Produce an Avoidance of Ostentation

Adoption: should Produce Child-Like Confidence in God

Adoption: should Produce Likeness to God

Adoption: Solomon

Adoption: Spiritual

Adoption: Subjects Saints to the Fatherly Discipline of God

Adoption: The Adopted are Gathered Together in One by Christ

Adoption: The Holy Spirit is a Witness of

Adoption: Typified, in Israel

Adoption: Typified: Israel

Related Terms

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Church (110 Occurrences)

Knee (12 Occurrences)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Parousia

Sacraments

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Nero

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Election (6 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

God (45911 Occurrences)

Septuagint

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Children

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Law-giving (1 Occurrence)

Lawgiving (1 Occurrence)

Lord's (548 Occurrences)

Whereby (46 Occurrences)

Wit (28 Occurrences)

Intention (10 Occurrences)

Israelites (468 Occurrences)

Ishi (5 Occurrences)

First-fruit (19 Occurrences)

Foreordained (8 Occurrences)

Fruits (109 Occurrences)

Theirs (96 Occurrences)

Recommendation (2 Occurrences)

Rights (35 Occurrences)

Redeem (56 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Espousal

Expecting (22 Occurrences)

Departure (22 Occurrences)

Destined (25 Occurrences)

Divine (39 Occurrences)

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Mover (1 Occurrence)

Pertain (9 Occurrences)

Predestined (6 Occurrences)

Prisoner (87 Occurrences)

Passage (20 Occurrences)

Promises (35 Occurrences)

Propose (8 Occurrences)

Pertaineth (18 Occurrences)

Predestinated (4 Occurrences)

Caesar (25 Occurrences)

Cart (12 Occurrences)

Covenants (5 Occurrences)

Awaiting (13 Occurrences)

Agitation (3 Occurrences)

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Abba (3 Occurrences)

Accept (106 Occurrences)

Ador

Son (25967 Occurrences)

Succoth-benoth (1 Occurrence)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Succothbenoth (1 Occurrence)

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Groan (32 Occurrences)

Firstfruits (37 Occurrences)

First-fruits (45 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Bondage (55 Occurrences)

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Marked (163 Occurrences)

Predestination

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Leading (101 Occurrences)

Lot (145 Occurrences)

Prison (131 Occurrences)

Godhead (5 Occurrences)

Adoption: Illustrated: Joseph's Sons
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