The Birth of Moses
Exodus 2:1-2 introduces us to Moses, born to a Levite family during a time of great oppression. Despite Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, Moses' mother sees that he is a fine child and hides him for three months. This act of faith sets the stage for God's deliverance plan.

Moses in the Basket
In Exodus 2:3-4, Moses' mother places him in a basket and sets it among the reeds of the Nile. This act of desperation is also an act of trust in God's protection and provision.

Pharaoh's Daughter
In a remarkable turn of events, Pharaoh's daughter discovers the basket and has compassion on Moses (Exodus 2:5-6). This unexpected ally in Pharaoh's own household becomes instrumental in Moses' survival and upbringing.

Moses' Early Life
Exodus 2:7-10 describes how Moses' sister, Miriam, cleverly arranges for their mother to nurse him. Moses is raised with the knowledge of his Hebrew heritage, even as he grows up in the Egyptian palace, preparing him for his future role.

Moses' Flight to Midian
In Exodus 2:11-15, Moses' sense of justice leads him to kill an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew. Fearing for his life, Moses flees to Midian, where he begins a new chapter, marrying Zipporah and starting a family.

God Hears Israel's Groaning
The chapter concludes with Exodus 2:23-25, where God hears the groaning of the Israelites and remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This sets the stage for the deliverance to come.Trust in God's Providence
Like Moses' mother, we can trust God with our most desperate situations, knowing He is in control and working for our good.

Courage in Adversity
Moses' story encourages us to act with courage and faith, even when circumstances seem dire.

God Uses Unlikely People
God can use anyone, even those we least expect, to accomplish His purposes. We should remain open to His leading and guidance.

Preparation for God's Calling
Moses' time in Egypt and Midian was preparation for his future role. We should embrace the seasons of preparation in our own lives.1. A man of the house of Levi
This refers to the father of Moses, traditionally understood to be Amram. He is a descendant of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were later designated as the priestly tribe.

2. A Levite woman
This is Moses' mother, traditionally identified as Jochebed. She is also from the tribe of Levi, emphasizing the priestly lineage of Moses.

3. The child (Moses)
Moses is the central figure in this chapter. His name, given later by Pharaoh's daughter, is derived from the Hebrew root "משה" (mashah), meaning "to draw out," as she drew him out of the water.

4. Moses' sister
Traditionally identified as Miriam, she plays a crucial role in watching over Moses when he is placed in the Nile and later suggests her mother as a nurse to Pharaoh's daughter.

5. Pharaoh's daughter
She discovers Moses in the basket among the reeds of the Nile and decides to adopt him. Her actions are pivotal in Moses' survival and upbringing in the Egyptian royal household.

6. Moses' brother (Aaron)
Although not directly mentioned in Exodus 2, Aaron is an important figure in the broader narrative. He is Moses' elder brother and later becomes his spokesperson.

7. The Hebrew man
This refers to the man Moses sees being beaten by an Egyptian, which prompts Moses to intervene and kill the Egyptian.

8. The Egyptian
The taskmaster who is beating the Hebrew man, leading to Moses' act of defense and subsequent flight from Egypt.

9. The two Hebrew men
These are the men Moses encounters fighting the day after he kills the Egyptian. Their confrontation with Moses reveals that his actions have become known.

10. The priest of Midian (Reuel/Jethro)
Moses flees to Midian and meets Reuel, also known as Jethro, who becomes his father-in-law. He is a priest, indicating a position of respect and authority.

11. Reuel's daughters
Among them is Zipporah, who becomes Moses' wife. The daughters are initially harassed by shepherds but are defended by Moses.

12. Zipporah
She is given to Moses in marriage by her father, Reuel, and later becomes the mother of his children.1. Egypt
The broader setting for the events of Exodus 2, Egypt is where the Israelites are living in bondage. The Hebrew term for Egypt is "Mitzrayim" (מִצְרַיִם), which is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to the land where the Israelites were enslaved.

2. The Nile River
In Exodus 2:3, Moses' mother places him in a basket and sets it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. The Nile, referred to in Hebrew as "Ye'or" (יְאֹר), is a significant geographical feature in Egypt and plays a crucial role in the survival and discovery of Moses.

3. The House of Pharaoh
In Exodus 2:10, after being found by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses is brought to the house of Pharaoh. This is the royal palace where Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, resides. The Hebrew term "Par'oh" (פַּרְעֹה) is used for Pharaoh, indicating the Egyptian king.

4. Midian
After fleeing Egypt, Moses arrives in the land of Midian, as mentioned in Exodus 2:15. Midian is located in the northwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula. The Hebrew name "Midyan" (מִדְיָן) refers to this area, which becomes a place of refuge for Moses.1. Birth of Moses
A Levite woman gives birth to a son and sees that he is a fine child. She hides him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 2:1-2). The Hebrew word used for "fine" is "טוֹב" (tov), which can also mean good or beautiful.

2. Moses Placed in a Basket
Unable to hide him any longer, the mother places Moses in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and sets it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3). The Hebrew word for "basket" is "תֵּבָה" (tevah), the same word used for Noah's ark.

3. Moses Found by Pharaoh’s Daughter
Pharaoh’s daughter comes to bathe in the Nile and discovers the basket. She opens it and sees the crying baby, feeling compassion for him despite recognizing him as a Hebrew child (Exodus 2:5-6).

4. Miriam’s Intervention
Moses’ sister, Miriam, who has been watching from a distance, approaches Pharaoh’s daughter and offers to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter agrees (Exodus 2:7-8).

5. Moses Returned to His Mother
Miriam brings Moses’ mother, who is then hired by Pharaoh’s daughter to nurse him. The child grows, and when he is older, he is brought to Pharaoh’s daughter and becomes her son. She names him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water” (Exodus 2:9-10). The name "Moses" is derived from the Hebrew "מֹשֶׁה" (Mosheh), meaning "to draw out."

6. Moses Kills an Egyptian
As an adult, Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. He looks around, and seeing no one, he kills the Egyptian and hides him in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12).

7. Moses Flees to Midian
The next day, Moses sees two Hebrews fighting and tries to intervene. One of them questions his authority and mentions the killing of the Egyptian. Realizing his deed is known, Moses flees to Midian to escape Pharaoh’s wrath (Exodus 2:13-15).

8. Moses at the Well in Midian
In Midian, Moses sits by a well. The priest of Midian’s seven daughters come to draw water, but shepherds drive them away. Moses stands up and helps them, watering their flock (Exodus 2:16-17).

9. Moses Marries Zipporah
The daughters return to their father, Reuel (also known as Jethro), who invites Moses to stay with them. Moses agrees and eventually marries Zipporah, one of Reuel’s daughters. She bears him a son named Gershom, for Moses says, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:18-22). The name "Gershom" is related to the Hebrew "גֵּר" (ger), meaning "sojourner" or "stranger."

10. God Hears the Israelites’ Groaning
During this time, the king of Egypt dies, and the Israelites groan under their slavery, crying out for help. God hears their groaning and remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:23-25). The Hebrew word for "remembered" is "זָכַר" (zakar), indicating a covenantal remembrance.Hebrews 11:23-27
This passage highlights the faith of Moses' parents and Moses himself, emphasizing the importance of faith in God's promises.

Acts 7:20-29
Stephen's speech provides additional insight into Moses' early life and his role in God's plan for Israel.

Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. This verse echoes God's response to the Israelites' groaning.Pray for trust in God's providence and timing, even when we cannot see the full picture.
Ask for courage to act in faith, especially in challenging situations.
Seek God's guidance in recognizing and embracing the roles He has prepared for us.
Pray for those who are in positions of influence, that they may be used by God for His purposes.
Thank God for His faithfulness in hearing our cries and remembering His promises.

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?