Exodus 2 Growing Up

Moses does most of his growing up in the home of Pharaoh. But he never truly forgets the people he came from.

Jochebed nursed Moses. As soon as he was weaned, he moved to Pharaoh’s home. We don’t get to see this progression, nor his childhood in Pharaoh’s home. We also don’t get to see how Pharaoh reacted to a Hebrew child’s presence. In movies, we see Moses growing up beside Pharaoh’s son. And then that sone is the one who is told to let God’s people go. I believe that, if Moses had grown up with Pharaoh’s son, there would have been some mention of their relationship when he stood before Pharaoh. It could also be that the later Pharaoh seized control and killed the successors of the Pharaoh Moses knew. These are questions we will have to take up with God, when we stand face-to-face.

For our story, I want to take a little license with Moses’ youth. He will still grow up privileged, but a little removed from Pharaoh. I’m also going to skip through the years; landing occasionally in key times. With that in mind, let’s join our story of the development of God’s hidden treasure.

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Jochebed is thrilled to have Moses back. To be nursing him and speaking into his life is a joy she thought she had lost forever. She prolongs his time of nursing infant as long as possible. But it can’t last forever. He is no longer her son. To save his life, she will have to relinquish him to Pharaoh’s daughter.

Every night as Jochebed nurses Moses to sleep, she sings him the songs of their people. The songs that speak of God’s promise to bring His people out of this land. The songs of God’s love. The songs that speak of Israel’s past and future. She trusts that these songs will go deep into her son’s heart, and that, when he is older, he will remember them.

Jochebed will not be able to teach her son of Israel’s God. He is sure to learn of the gods of Egypt. That is her greatest regret of all. What she can do though is to pray for him. And she promises to do just that. From the moment he is taken from her arms until the day she lays her head to rest for the final time, she will bring her son’s name before the Lord God of Israel. She will trust Him to watch over her child. Her hidden treasure.

The day has come for Moses to leaves for Pharaoh’s palace. At the age of three he has been weaned. Jochebed sends word to Pharaoh’s daughter.

“Your son has been weaned. Please advise me as to your wishes regarding him.”

Pharaoh’s daughter is overjoyed. She sends word back right away.

“Bring my son to the place where we first met. By the water.”

When Jochebed received the reply, her heart sank a little. She had hoped that Pharaoh’s daughter would have changed her mind about wanting her son. Since that was not the result, Jochebed would do as directed.

The two women meet by the river. Moses is a little reluctant to go with Pharaoh’s daughter. He has only known Jochebed.

“Don’t worry. He will warm to you in time” Jochebed promises. To Moses she says; “Goodbye little one. You have to go with your new mother. I will miss you.” She quickly gives Moses one last hug then turns away before he can see her tears.

Pharaoh’s daughter takes Moses by the hand and leads him to her chariot. He looks back to the woman he knew as his Ima several times. She doesn’t turn to look at him.

As the wheels of the chariot crunch the gravel beneath them, Jochebed feels as if they are grinding her heart under them too. “I made my choice two and a half years ago. I placed my son in God’s hands. HE will watch over him. I MUST trust Him” Jochebed tells herself. Once the wheels crunching can no longer be heard, Jochebed turns in the direction she knows the chariot has gone. She sees it far in the distance. “Will this be the last time I see my son” she wonders. After the chariot has faded from sight, Jochebed turns towards home.

Moses is enamored by the sights he is seeing. He doesn’t have time to miss his Ima. This is the first time he has ridden in a chariot. The wind in his face is exhilarating! The rhythm of the sound of the horses’ hooves almost has him dancing. But his biggest surprise is the palace itself. Moses hides behind his new mother’s robe. There are so many people and the ‘house’, as she called it, is bigger than anything Moses has ever seen.

Pharaoh’s daughter steps from the chariot and draws Moses with her. “We are going to see my father first. Then I will show you where we will live.”

Moses holds tightly to his new mother’s hand for protection. She smiles at his shift towards her. Together, they walk to the throne room of Pharaoh. “Announce my presence, and that of my son to my father” Pharaoh’s daughter commands the guard at the door.

He looks sideways at Pharaoh’s daughter then at Moses. He wrinkles his nose as if he has just smelled something unpleasant. He quickly regains his composure before knocking on the door. The guard then slips inside and announces the visitors.

“My lord, your daughter awaits an audience with you. And she has brought a Hebrew child with her, claiming it as her son.”

Pharaoh raises one of his eyebrows in a skeptical look. “Have them enter.”

The guard steps back and motions for the two visitors to enter. Pharaoh’s daughter boldly approaches her father and takes his hand in hers. She kisses her father’s hand before turning back to look for Moses. She had dropped Moses’ hand while on the way to greet her father. Moses followed her, but was slow in approaching.

“Come here Moses” she commands with gentleness.

Moses comes to her side while Pharaoh watches the child.

“Did I not command that all Hebrew male children be killed?”

“You did my lord.”

“Then why is there one standing before me?”

“Because I have taken him as my son.”

Pharaoh gives his daughter a sidelong look but says nothing.

“His name is Moses, because I drew him from the water. I have claimed him as my own. I had one of the Hebrews nurse him for me. He is weaned and ready to take his place in my home.”

Pharaoh knows by the tone of his daughter’s voice that there is no arguing with her. “What is one Hebrew boy going to hurt” he asks himself. “Let me look at him” he tells his daughter.

Moses new mother reaches down and takes his hand again. She draws him to stand in front of her father. “Moses, say hello to my father, Pharoah of all Egypt.”

“Hello to my father, Pharaoh of all Egypt” repeats Moses.

Pharaoh laughs. His heart is won already by this little impish boy.

Pharaoh’s daughter takes Moses to see where he will live now. “This is where you will sleep” she explains as they enter a room that is twice as big as the whole house he has lived in for the start of his life. They move on to another room, filled with scrolls. “This is where you will take your lessons. You will be trained in all the wisdom of Egypt. You will learn the languages of all the people around us. You will learn so many things!”

Moses looks around. He doesn’t know what to think of this room. He doesn’t understand what ‘lessons’ are, yet. He will grow to love this room though over time.

Pharaoh’s daughter shows Moses where they will eat and has the chef bring out some treats for him. Moses eyes grow huge as he sees the plates before him. They are heaped with all kinds of food. Fruits, cheeses, pastries, even some meats. He looks up at his new mother for permission to touch it.

“Go ahead. You can have whatever you would like.”

Moses’ hand reaches for the most colorful thing on the table. It happens to be a pastry. He picks it up and carefully examines it before putting it to his nose to sniff it. It smells wonderful! He can’t wait to put it in his mouth. He takes a huge bite and nearly chokes as he tries to chew it. His new mother laughs and then encourages him to take smaller bites. Moses stopped with just the pastry. It filled his little belly.

His mother next takes him to her room. This is my room. It is just down the hall from yours. If I am needed in the night, I can be to you in mere moments.

The last thing Moses is shown is the nurse that will care for him. “This is your nurse. She will see to all your needs. She will sleep in your room so you won’t be afraid. If you need anything, she will see to it for you.

Moses isn’t sure what to think of her. “If she sleeps with me, is she my Ima” asks Moses.

“No. She is not! That is a Hebrew word. She is your nurse. I am your mother. If I were Hebrew, you would call me Ima. You are to call me ‘mother’ or ‘my lady’. Is that clear?”

This was the first time Moses was scolded by his new mother. It scared him and he started to cry. Instead of his ‘mother’ comforting him, his nurse rushed to his side. “It will be alright. Your mother loves you very much and wants you to grow up to be a proper Egyptian.”

Pharaoh’s daughter smiled at Moses and nodded her head. He wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands. To say he was confused would be an understatement. It would take time for him to learn his place, who to turn to, and what to avoid at all costs. This was his first lesson in his new life.

Moses excelled at his lessons over the years. He learned to speak fifteen languages, to do complex calculations, to write in four languages, to use logic to solve difficult problems, the names and purposes of all the gods of Egypt, the art of war, to defend himself with various styles of fighting, and to NEVER question his origin or why he didn’t look like his mother.

There was very little that Moses couldn’t do, if he put his mind to it. One thing though still scared him. Speaking before people. He was so terrified that he would begin to stutter if forced to speak out. He was fine one-on-one, but he would freeze up if asked to address a group. And speaking to those in authority over him rendered him speechless. He seldom ever spoke to Pharaoh or even his mother.

This alone brought shame to his mother. He would never advance in authority if he couldn’t command others without stuttering. And he would never show his vast abilities if he wouldn’t speak to those in authority over him.

Moses has started to reason out his own history on his own, since his mother refuses to speak of it. He has noticed that he looks like the Hebrews. The ones that Egypt has building their cities for them. He is curious and wants to know more about them. One day, he went out to watch them. While he was watching, he saw one of the Egyptian taskmasters beating one of the Hebrews. This made him angry. He was determined to stop this, but he had to be careful. If someone saw him, there would be serious repercussions.

After looking around to see if anyone was watching, he deemed it safe to intervene. Moses moved quickly and struck the Egyptian in the throat. He didn’t necessarily intend to kill him, but kill him he did. Moses quickly dragged the dead Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The Hebrew slave was bloodied and battered. Moses left him where he lay. He figured that his fellow slaves would find him and bind his wounds. Moses didn’t think it was safe for him to remain in the area any longer. Someone might come looking for the taskmaster.

Moses couldn’t sleep that night. He was afraid someone would discover what he had done. He was not sorry for stopping the beating of the Hebrew man, but he was sorry he had taken a life. He didn’t know what to do.

One thing he did know was that he wanted to go back and see the people who were his own again. He wanted to learn of them. Through his studies, he gained a basic understanding of their God. He wanted to know more. And he wanted to understand the songs that sprung to his mind when he thought about the Hebrew’s God.

The next morning, Moses left the palace and went back to the place where he had seen the Hebrew being beaten. He walked around, looking at the people, their burdens, how they were treated, and how they treated one another. He zeroed in on two Hebrews who had begun fighting with one another. He approached them with the intent of stopping them. He looked at the aggressor and said; “Why do you strike your companion” (Exodus 2: 13b).

The Hebrew sneered at him and answered him with a mocking tone. “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14a).

Moses’ face went white. “Surely the thing is known” (Exodus 2:14b) he thought to himself. He quickly withdrew and said no more.

Moses was correct. Pharaoh did find out, and he was furious! He wanted Moses dead. But Moses was already gone by the time Pharaoh sent orders to seize him. Moses had gone to the land of Midian, which was beyond Pharaoh’s reach.

Moses was tired when he reached the land of Midian. He found a well and sat down beside it to rest. While he was sitting there a group of women came with their flock of sheep. There were seven of them and it was easy to see that they were related to one another. The women began drawing water and filling the troughs for their father’s sheep.

As soon as they had the troughs full, another group of shepherds came down and drove them and their sheep away. Moses was incensed by this treatment! He drove away the other shepherds. Then he drew water to replace what had been lost and watered the women’s flock. The women thanked him profusely before they headed home with their sheep.

When they got home, their father, Reuel was surprised to see them. “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” (Exodus 2:18b).

“An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock” (Exodus 2:19) said the eldest daughter.

Reuel was ashamed of his daughter’s lack of hospitality. “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread” (Exodus 2:20).

The girls quickly went back to the well to see if the Egyptian was still there. They were very relieved to find him still sitting there.

“Our father wants to thank you for helping us earlier. He asks that you join us for a meal.”

“That would be most welcome” replied Moses.

The girls led Moses to their home and presented him to their father.

“Father, this is the man who saved us from the shepherds today.

“My name is Reuel. Whom do I have the pleasure of inviting into my home?”

“My name is Moses.”

Reuel looks deeply at Moses. “That is an Egyptian name, and you clearly dress as one, but I don’t think you are Egyptian by birth.”

Moses is astonished at Reuel’s perceptiveness. “I am Hebrew by birth, but I was raised as an Egyptian. As the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

“Then why are you here, Moses of Egypt.”

“I fell in disfavor with Pharaoh. He seeks my life.”

“You are safe here. Please stay as long as you like.”

“I am very grateful for your hospitality. I don’t want to be a burden. Is there some way I can repay you for your hospitality.”

“He could help us with the sheep father” exclaimed the eldest daughter.

“Indeed he could. Would that suit you Moses?”

“I have never been a shepherd before, but I am willing to learn.”

“Then it is settled. You will learn from my daughters all that you need to know. And you will stay with me in my tent until we can construct on for you.”

Moses settled in quite nicely with Reuel and his daughters. As they worked side by side, Moses began to favor Zipporah, Reuel’s eldest daughter. Three months after his arrival, Reuel decided that Moses would make an excellent husband for Zipporah. He saw the spark between them. He called Moses to him late one evening to discuss this.

“Moses, I have a confession to make.”

Moses looked at Reuel with interest.

“When I invited you to live with us, I hoped that I might be finding a husband for one of my daughters too.”

Moses smiled, but remained silent.

“I have seen the way you and Zipporah look at one another. I believe you would be a good match for one another, if you will consent to take her as your wife.”

“I most certainly will consent!”

The next day, wedding preparations began. Moses had to make a tent for the two of them, Zipporah had to make her wedding gown, and the guest list had to be created. All of these tasks were tackled with abandon and were all completed within a month.

Reuel was a priest, so he performed the ceremony for Moses and Zipporah. They would spend their wedding week in the tent erected for the consummation of their marriage.

Moses took on more of the responsibility of caring for Reuel’s flocks. Soon he was the sole shepherd and Reuel’s flocks flourished.

Moses and Zipporah waited ten years before the Lord blessed them with their first child. Moses couldn’t have been prouder of his wife and his son. He named him “Gershom, for he said, ‘I have been a sojourner in a foreign land’” (Exodus 2:22b).

(to be continued)

We are not told how Moses learned that he was Hebrew, but Reuel’s daughters clearly thought he was Egyptian. I wonder how long it took Moses to share all of his story with his new family. Only God knows that answer.

I gave Moses some skills, and deficits, that he would need later on. We don’t know the true measure of his education in Egypt. I’m also curious where he learned of God. Did Reuel worship Israel’s God? I would think that he would worship the gods of Midian.

Was it the prayers of his Ima that kept him close to God? I’m certain she sang to him, as any mother would. Did her songs sink into his heart and testify of God? He will meet God the next time we come together. And he will need a little teaching, which God fully provides. But I’m getting ahead of myself again.

Father God, once again, we see Your fingerprints. You prepared Moses for what lay ahead for Your people. He would use the knowledge and skills gained in the tutelage of Egypt to care for Your people. One step at a time, You built the man who would be used by You to fulfill the promises You made to Your people so long ago.

You keep EVERY promise You have ever made. I can rest secure in that knowledge. Right now, I’m simply trusting You to have me in the palm of Your hand as my nation moves to another election. YOU lift up and bring low leaders as You see fit for Your plan. You never promised an easy journey, but You promised to be with us, no matter where we go. I’m holding fast to that promise! Have YOUR way Lord.