The infancy of Moses. I . WE HAVE , IN THIS EXPERIENCE OF THE INFANT AND HIS MOTHER , A MOST AFFECTING ILLUSTRATION OF THE MISERABLE STATE TO WHICH ISRAEL HAD BEEN REDUCED . We come down from the general statement of the first chapter to the particular instance of the second. Moses was born, in all likelihood, just at the very height of Pharaoh's exasperation, and when the command of Exodus 1:22 was in process of being carried out. His... read more
THE BIRTH, ESCAPE, AND EDUCATION OF MOSES . Some years before the Pharaoh issued his edict for the general destruction of the Hebrew male children, Amram of the tribe of Levi, had married Jochebed, his kinswoman ( Exodus 6:20 ). They had already had two children — Miriam, a daughter, born probably soon after the marriage, and Aaron, a son, born some twelve years later. Soon after the issue of the edict, Jochebed gave birth to her third child, a son, who therefore came under its terms.... read more
By works was faith made perfect. Bad times; harsh decrees against the Israelites; doubts and misgivings which must have occurred to one in Amram's position; a hard experience and a dark prospect. Still the man believed in God, remembered the promises, and knew that God also must remember them; did not see how they were to be fulfilled, but was content to do his own duty and leave all else to God. See — I . How HIS FAITH WAS MANIFESTED BY HIS WORKS . We have — 1. His... read more
A picture of true faith. I . WHAT TRUE FAITH IS . 1. There was obedience to a Divine impulse: her heart was appealed to, she saw he was a goodly child, and she hid him three months. She read in the child's appearance an intimation of future greatness, and that God did not mean him to die in accordance with the king's commandment. The work of faith begins in obeying the Spirit's prompting in the heart. 2. She was not daunted by difficulties. She might have asked what could... read more
The child of the water. "And she called his name Moses... water." — Exodus 2:10 . Save Jesus, Moses is the greatest name in history. Compare with it Mahomet, or even that of Paul. As the founder of the Jewish religion — under God — his influence is felt to-day, not only by 6,000,000 Jews, but throughout the Christian Church. Here is the beginning of his career. This mighty stream of influence we can trace to its source; not like the Nile, whose origin is still in debate, a mystery. The... read more
A child of providence. This section recounts the birth, deliverance, and upbringing at the court of Pharaoh, of the future Deliverer of Israel. In which we have to notice — I . AN ACT OF FAITH ON THE PART OF MOSES ' PARENTS . The faith of Moses' parents is signalised in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Hebrews 11:23 ). Observe — 1. The occasion of its trial. The king's edict threatened the child's life. The ease of Moses was peculiar, yet not entirely so. No... read more
§ 3. The escape of Moses. The escape of Moses teaches three things especially — 1. God's over-ruling providence, and his power to make wicked men work out his will; 2. The blessing that rests upon a mother's faithful love and care; and 3. The fact that natural virtue is acceptable in God's sight. I . GOD'S OVER-RULING PROVIDENCE turned the cruel king's edict to the advantage of the child whom he designed for great things. Had it not been for the edict, Moses would never have... read more
His sister . There can be no reasonable doubt that this is the "Miriam" of the later narrative ( Exodus 15:20-21 ; Numbers 20:1 ), who seems to have been Moses' only sister ( Numbers 26:59 ). She was probably set to watch by her mother. read more
The daughter of Pharaoh . Probably a daughter of Seti I . and a sister of Rameses the Great. Josephus calls her Thermuthis; Syncellus, Pharia; Artapanus, Merrhis, and some of the Jewish commentators, Bithia — the diversity showing that there was no genuine tradition on the subject. There is nothing improbable in an Egyptian princess bathing in the Nile, at a place reserved for women. The Nile was regarded as sacred, and its water as health-giving and fructifying. Her maidens. Egyptian... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 2:4
Verse 4 4.And his sister stood afar off. It is probable that this was Miriam. (26) By the fact of her standing to watch what became of him, it appears that his parents had some hope remaining, though it was but small. For it is scarcely doubtful but that whatever Egyptian had come that way would have been his executioner, as well from the command of the king as from the general hatred of the nation against the Hebrews. It seems, then, that Miriam was set by her parents to watch, rather to... read more