The Birth of Moses: God’s Plan in a Basket of Reeds

The birth of Moses is one of those stories that makes me stop and smile. Because even when the world was falling apart, God was still writing the ending. Pharaoh thought he could wipe out God’s people by killing the baby boys, but he didn’t know Who he was up against. One desperate mama, a handmade basket, and a river turned into the setup for God’s deliverer.

God’s Hand in Moses’ Birth

When Pharaoh thought he could stop the future by stopping the babies, God was already working behind the scenes. Isn’t that just like Him? What the enemy meant for destruction, God used as the setup for deliverance.
Moses’ mama did what any mama would do—she fought for her child. She hid him as long as she could, but babies don’t stay quiet forever. So with shaking hands and a whole lot of faith, she built a little basket, sealed it up, and set her boy in the river. That wasn’t giving up—that was placing him straight into God’s hands.

And don’t miss Miriam. That big sister stood close by, eyes fixed on that basket. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is just show up and watch what God will do. When Pharaoh’s daughter came to the river, Miriam’s quick words opened the door for their mama to nurse her own baby. Tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor in the way He flips the script!
And here’s the wild part: Moses was raised right in Pharaoh’s house. He grew up with an education and access that would one day make him the perfect leader for Israel. The same palace that wanted him dead ended up feeding him, clothing him, and preparing him for his calling. Only God can do that.

Scriptures on the Birth of Moses

• Exodus 2:2 — “When she saw that he was a special baby, she kept him hidden for three months.”
• Exodus 2:3 — “But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch.”
• Exodus 2:10 — “Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, ‘I lifted him out of the water.’”

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More to Explore

If the birth of Moses encouraged you, here are a few other studies and resources to check out:

• Job’s Restoration — God brings beauty from ashes.
• The Death of Joseph — closing one chapter before Exodus begins.
• SBD Bible Study Planner — keep your reflections and prayers all in one spot.

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