Week 13: Exodus 1-2 Moses’ Rescue

Week 13: Exodus 1-2 Moses’ Rescue

As a family, read Exodus 1-2 together. Afterwards, share the following discussion.

What happened?

God’s people, the Israelites, lived in Egypt where God provided everything they needed. The Egyptian king, called Pharaoh, became afraid of the Israelites because they had grown into lots of families with many, many people. So Pharaoh decided to do two cruel things to keep the Israelites from growing any larger. First, he made God’s people his slaves. Then he ordered the Egyptians to kill all the baby boys born to the Israelites.

Moses was born to Hebrew slaves named Amram and Jochebed. Hebrew is another name for God’s people, the Israelites. While Moses was very small, his mother was able to hide him so he was protected. But after he was three months old she couldn’t hide Moses any longer.  Jochebed put Moses in a waterproof basket and placed it in the tall reeds that grew at the edge of the river.

Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and felt sorry for the little baby. When she heard him crying, she wanted to help him. Moses’ sister offered to get a Hebrew nurse to help take care of the baby. Who do you think she brought back? Moses’ own mother, Jochebed! The outcome was even better than they had hoped. Moses was alive, and Pharaoh’s daughter paid his family to take care of him. When Moses was older, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him. Moses went from being the child of slaves to being a prince in the palace of Egypt and Israel’s deliverer from slavery.

Why is this important to us, today?

The Israelites were living under the rule of an evil king who didn’t know or love their God. But God was with them and kept His promise to grow them into a great nation. Pharaoh’s wicked commands couldn’t stop God’s plan.

Amram and Jochebed had grown up hearing the wonderful stories of how God had used Joseph to save their people. They had faith in God and trusted him to take care of their family. Even when she was scared, Jochebed trusted that God had a plan when she put Moses in the basket (Hebrews 11:23). Was it luck or coincidence that Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses? Of course not, it was part of God’s plan for His people and for Moses. God was faithful and proved that He could be trusted.

Does it surprise you that nothing ever surprises God? He cares about everything that happens to you, big or small. Even before you were born, God had a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Things that seem like trouble to us can be part of God’s plan. God is faithful, even when we don’t know what’s going to happen. He is trustworthy. Nothing can stop God’s plans!

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:

 

What special purpose could God have for each member of your family? What situation currently frightens you because you’re not sure what is going to happen? How does the story of Moses and his parents help you when you think about that situation?

How can we better follow God this week?

Discuss with your family what difficult things happened to you this week. How do you think God can use it to influence new people or build godly character?

His plan is what we would choose if we could see how it turns out. He wants you to trust Him with your daily problems because God knows how each situation fits into His plan for your life. As you go through this week, spend time in prayer, praising God for being faithful and trustworthy. Thank God for the family He gave you. Ask God for the courage to trust Him with every part of your life.