Biblical Context:
The account of Moses being found by Pharaoh's daughter is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of the life of one of Israel's greatest leaders and prophets. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 2:1-10. It occurs during a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, and Pharaoh had decreed that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be killed to control the population of the Israelites (Exodus 1:22).

Narrative Summary:
Moses was born to Amram and Jochebed, both Levites, during this period of intense persecution. In an act of faith and desperation, Jochebed hid Moses for three months. When she could no longer conceal him, she crafted a basket of papyrus, coated it with tar and pitch, and placed the infant Moses inside. She then set the basket among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River (Exodus 2:3).

Moses' sister, Miriam, watched from a distance to see what would happen to him. It was then that Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe in the river. Upon seeing the basket, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it. When she opened it and saw the crying baby, she felt compassion for him, recognizing him as one of the Hebrew children (Exodus 2:5-6).

Miriam approached Pharaoh's daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Pharaoh's daughter agreed, and Miriam brought Jochebed, Moses' own mother, to nurse him. Pharaoh's daughter then adopted Moses as her son, giving him the name "Moses," meaning "drawn out," because she drew him out of the water (Exodus 2:7-10).

Theological Significance:
The discovery of Moses by Pharaoh's daughter is a testament to God's providence and sovereignty. Despite Pharaoh's edict, God preserved Moses' life, setting the stage for the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event highlights the theme of divine intervention and protection, as God orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

Moses' adoption into the Egyptian royal family provided him with an education and upbringing that would later equip him to lead the Israelites. His dual identity as both a Hebrew and an Egyptian positioned him uniquely to bridge the gap between the two cultures and to act as God's chosen instrument for liberation.

Cultural and Historical Insights:
The act of Pharaoh's daughter adopting a Hebrew child is significant, as it demonstrates a break from her father's oppressive policies. Her compassion and willingness to defy the decree reflect a moral courage that aligns with the biblical theme of justice and mercy.

The use of a basket coated with tar and pitch is reminiscent of Noah's ark, symbolizing salvation and deliverance through water. This parallel underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout biblical history.

Key Verses:
· "When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrew children.'" (Exodus 2:6)
· "And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, 'I drew him out of the water.'" (Exodus 2:10)

Legacy:
Moses' early life, marked by divine protection and providential care, foreshadows his future role as the deliverer of Israel. His account serves as an enduring reminder of God's faithfulness and the unexpected ways in which He accomplishes His will.