A long time ago, the Israelites lived in Egypt. They were the descendants of Jacob whose other name was Israel. They had moved there because of the famine in their own land, and stayed there for about 400 years. In the beginning they were just one family of 75 persons, but eventually they were so many and so strong, that the Pharaoh started to fear them. So he forced them to work for him without a salary. They had to make bricks and warehouses for him, and if they refused to work they were whipped cruelly by Pharaoh’s slave masters.

Despite this, they prospered and continued to have many children. Since his plan to destroy them did not work, the Pharaoh was furious. He ordered Israelite baby boys to be killed immediately after their birth. They were to be thrown into the river Nile. The baby girls were allowed to live.

The Israelites were very afraid and upset when they heard of this command. One family was especially worried because the mother was expecting her third child. The baby was due very soon. The father Amram, prayed earnestly along with his wife Jochebed and children Aaron and Miriam, that God would give them a baby girl. However when the baby was born it was a beautiful boy. They couldn’t bear to see him thrown into the river so they decided to hide him, and prayed that God would protect him. They warned Miriam and Aaron not to tell anyone that they had a baby brother. For three months the baby was kept in a hiding place. Every time the baby cried the whole family was afraid.

Soon the baby was crying loud enough to be heard in the neighborhood. Mother knew that she could hide him no longer. She kept thinking hard on how to save her baby. One day she got a wonderful idea. She hurried to the river, cut some reeds, made a small basket, covering it with tar to make it watertight. She put her baby in it, and placed it in the tall grass at the edge of the water. Sister Miriam was left there to guard her little brother, and watch and see what happened.

Pharaoh’s daughter and her servants came to the river to bathe, as was her daily custom. She noticed the basket and asked her servants to pick it up for her. When she opened it she saw a crying baby boy. She immediately understood that he was an Israelite, for she was aware of her father’s command. She picked up the crying baby, rocked him in her arms and said, “This baby is not going to be killed. I’ll take care of him.”

Watching the scene with bated breath, Miriam came out of her place, greeted the princess and asked her, “Shall I go and call an Israelite woman to nurse the baby for you?” “Please go” the princess responded. Miriam ran home as fast as she could and brought her mother. The princess gave the baby to her saying ‘I will pay you well for nursing this baby. He will be called Moses because I found him in the water. When he is big enough, bring him to my palace for I want to make him my own son.” Mother could hardly believe her ears. Her baby was safe. And she would be paid for nursing him! She need not fear for him anymore, for nobody would dare touch the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. That night the whole family had a special time of thanksgiving.

God is our heavenly father who loves us more than our parents can ever love us. So naturally he wants to protect us and has promised to do so in his word. Psalm 121:1 says, “The Lord will protect you from all danger. He will keep you safe”

We really don’t need to be afraid anymore.

Adapted from Exodus 1, 2 and 6 and Numbers 26:59