Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Moses Exposed on the Nile

◄ Egypt: Israel in Moses Exposed on the Nile ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Historical Context

Egypt, a prominent ancient civilization located in the northeastern corner of Africa, plays a significant role in biblical history, particularly in the narrative of the Israelites' bondage and subsequent exodus. The land of Egypt, with its fertile Nile Delta, was a place of both refuge and oppression for the descendants of Abraham. The account of Moses, a central figure in the deliverance of the Israelites, begins in this land of Pharaohs.

Israel's Bondage in Egypt

The Israelites initially came to Egypt during a time of famine, as recorded in the book of Genesis. Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, had risen to a position of power in Egypt and invited his family to settle in the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:6). Over time, the Israelites multiplied and became a significant population within Egypt. However, a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, arose and perceived the Israelites as a threat. He subjected them to harsh slavery, forcing them to build cities such as Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11).

The Birth and Exposure of Moses

Amidst this oppression, Pharaoh issued a decree that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be thrown into the Nile River to control the population (Exodus 1:22). It was during this time that Moses was born to a Levite family. His mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months. When she could no longer conceal him, she placed him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3).

Divine Providence and Adoption

Moses' exposure on the Nile was a pivotal moment orchestrated by divine providence. Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket while bathing in the river. Moved with compassion, she decided to adopt the Hebrew child, naming him Moses, meaning "drawn out" (Exodus 2:10). In a remarkable turn of events, Moses' own mother was hired to nurse him, allowing her to instill in him the faith and heritage of his people.

Moses' Preparation for Leadership

Raised in the Egyptian royal household, Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22). This unique upbringing equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary for his future role as the leader of the Israelites. Despite his privileged position, Moses retained a strong connection to his Hebrew roots, which later compelled him to act on behalf of his oppressed brethren.

Theological Significance

The account of Moses' exposure on the Nile is rich with theological significance. It highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness in preserving His chosen deliverer amidst dire circumstances. Moses' life foreshadows the ultimate deliverance that God would bring through Jesus Christ, who, like Moses, was preserved from a king's murderous decree and called to lead His people to freedom.

Key Scripture References

· Exodus 1:8-22: The oppression of the Israelites and Pharaoh's decree.
· Exodus 2:1-10: The birth and exposure of Moses, and his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter.
· Acts 7:22: Moses' education and preparation in Egypt.

The narrative of Moses' early life in Egypt serves as a testament to God's providential care and His plan to redeem His people, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the Exodus.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 2:3,4
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Choosing the Tens
... But they were full of serious and absorbed discourse, for the great Hebrew, Moses,
from the sheep-ranges ... For this very mingling with Egypt is Israel cursed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... than on the banks of the Upper Nile, it was ... They had, moreover, commercial relations
with Egypt, and furnished it ... the right, so as to leave the latter exposed. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Ark among the Flags
... was some good thing towards the God of Israel.'. ... the Augustinian convent at Erfurt,
planted Moses in Pharaoh's ... and taught him the wisdom of Egypt, against which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the ark among the flags.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... No wonder Alford gives it up. Moses Stuart gives it up. Hengstenberg and others
give it up. ... When Israel would trust in the horses of Egypt they were warned ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Nehushtan, the origin of which was attributed to Moses.***. ... whom ye have deeply revolted,
O children of Israel."**. ... without the help of Judah, Tyre, and Egypt. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Damascus, Edom, or Moab, or even the veterans of Egypt and Assyria. ... Exodus 4:14
and xxxii.10, anger of Jahveh against Moses and against Israel; Genesis 6 ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Life of Cassian.
... first sought and obtained an interview with Abbot Moses, who had ... 576] The Ancient
Coptic Churches of Egypt, by Alfred ... all those of the people of Israel who had ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i the life of.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... among them figures like Abraham and the Children of Israel. ... I saw a place in Egypt,
much farther away from the ... child lay was like that in which Moses lay on ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... angels' food, and sighed for the flesh of Egypt. ... the battle was fought against Amalek
while Moses prayed, and ... hence it is a reproach against Israel: [4805] "Ye ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of the greatest among the prophets of Israel"Jeremiah, son ... last eddies dying away
on the frontiers of Egypt. ... of Syria were in all probability exposed to the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm