The Greatest Egyptian

It was roughly 3,500 years ago, when the joyous occasion of a Hebrew son’s birth was also a time of great concern. Pharaoh had grown weary of the number of Hebrews in Egypt. His land had become filled with them (Ex. 1:7). The king feared some enemy might make an alliance with them and so he dealt with them harshly (Ex. 1:8ff). Topping the list of his mistreatment of the Hebrews, Pharaoh callously ordered the death of all male children born to them (Ex. 1:22).

In these dark days a Levite family welcomed a son (Ex. 2:1-2). They hid their baby and cared for him the best that they could. After three months of desperate concealment, a plan was devised for his future survival. A box was fashioned from bulrushes and the infant was placed inside. Under the watchful eye of his older sister, the boy was left in the reeds by the riverbank (Ex. 2:3-4).

It was then that a very surprising thing happened. The daughter of the tyrant who would see this precious young life destroyed, came down to the river. Upon noticing the tiny basket, Pharaoh’s daughter ordered it brought to her and discovered the Hebrew child. She looked on the crying baby with kindness (Ex. 2:5-6). One can imagine the boy’s sister leaping from her hiding spot with glee, offering to call a nurse from the Hebrew women—the boy’s own mother (Ex. 2:7-8). Pharaoh’s daughter consented and accordingly gave Moses safety, provision, and his name (Ex. 2:9-10).

This woman’s love for a child that was not hers and not from her people makes her truly great! There is so much we wish to know about her that the Bible simply does not reveal. How old was Pharaoh’s daughter when she found the baby? Did she already have children of her own, or would this Hebrew boy be her first child? And how much did she really know about her father’s treatment of the Hebrew people? Despite all the unknowns, what is revealed demonstrates the admirable, even godly, qualities in this woman.

Pharaoh’s daughter had compassion on the child (Ex. 2:6). This term, in the original language, describes pity, deep concern, and a desire to spare someone. She was unwilling to leave this innocent life struggling and alone. She was moved to help him. In the same way, God does not leave us in our plight of sin. His compassion is richly demonstrated toward all mankind (Mk. 6:34; Eph. 2:1-7; 1 Jn. 4:19).

Pharaoh’s daughter provided for the child’s care (Ex. 2:9). She willingly gave of her own resources to see to it that the Hebrew boy had what he needed. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, God provides the needed sacrifice for our sins (Mt. 26:28; Rom. 5:6-8). Such is the extent of His care for us (2 Cor. 8:9).

Pharaoh’s daughter regarded the child as her son (Ex. 2:10). She did not take Moses to be her pet or plaything. He was her son, and she was his mother. She welcomed an outsider into her family and gave him new status. Likewise, through the gospel, sinners may be cleansed and spiritually adopted as sons and daughters into the family of God (Rom. 8:14-17; Eph 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:1).