Moses, one of the most significant figures in the Bible, is central to the narrative of the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage and their journey to the Promised Land. His early life is a testament to divine providence and preparation for leadership.

Birth and Adoption

Moses was born during a tumultuous period for the Israelites in Egypt. The Hebrews had grown numerous, and a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, felt threatened by their presence. To curb their population, Pharaoh decreed that every Hebrew male child be cast into the Nile (Exodus 1:22). Moses was born to Amram and Jochebed, both from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 2:1-2). Recognizing that he was a fine child, his mother 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).

In a providential turn of events, Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket while bathing in the river. Moved with compassion, she decided to adopt the child, naming him Moses, meaning "drawn out," because she drew him out of the water (Exodus 2:5-10). Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Consequently, Jochebed was employed to nurse her own son, allowing Moses to be raised with an understanding of his Hebrew heritage.

Education and Early Influences

Moses was raised in the Egyptian royal household, receiving an education befitting a prince. This unique upbringing equipped him with knowledge of Egyptian culture, language, and leadership, which would later prove invaluable. Despite his Egyptian education, Moses retained a connection to his Hebrew roots, likely influenced by his early years with his biological family.

Awareness of Hebrew Identity

As Moses matured, he became increasingly aware of the plight of his people. One day, witnessing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses intervened and killed the Egyptian, hiding his body in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12). This act of defense for his fellow Hebrew revealed his deep-seated sense of justice and identification with his people.

Flight to Midian

The next day, Moses attempted to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, only to be rebuffed with the knowledge of his previous day's actions. Realizing that his deed was known, and fearing Pharaoh's wrath, Moses fled to the land of Midian (Exodus 2:13-15). In Midian, he encountered the daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), a priest of Midian, and assisted them in watering their flocks. In gratitude, Reuel welcomed Moses into his home, eventually giving him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Exodus 2:16-21).

Shepherd in Midian

Moses settled in Midian, where he became a shepherd, tending the flocks of his father-in-law. During this period, he fathered two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 2:22; 18:3-4). This time in the wilderness served as a period of preparation and reflection, shaping Moses for his future role as the leader of the Israelites.

Moses' early life, marked by divine intervention and preparation, set the stage for his later mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His experiences in both the Egyptian court and the Midianite wilderness uniquely equipped him for the challenges he would face as God's chosen deliverer.