Exodus 2 introduces the man who would become Israel’s great deliverer—Moses. Born into a time of fear and oppression, his very survival was a miracle of God’s providence. Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew baby boys should be cast into the Nile, but through faith, courage, and divine intervention, Moses’ life was preserved. This chapter highlights God’s sovereign hand in raising up a deliverer from the very household of Egypt’s ruler. It covers Moses’ birth, Moses’ escape from Egypt, and even Moses’ marriage to Zipporah, showing how God guided every step.
You can follow along with the full account in Exodus 2 (KJV). For a broader look at this section of the story, see Israel’s Bondage in Egypt and Moses is Called By God: Profound Exodus 1–6 Summary.
Moses’ Birth: A Child Hidden by Faith
When Moses was born, his parents saw he was “a goodly child” (Exodus 2:2 KJV) and refused to obey Pharaoh’s edict of death. They hid him for three months, risking their lives to protect his. Hebrews 11:23 later praises their faith, reminding us that godly parents are often the first line of defense against the evils of the age. Their courage reflects the same spirit as the midwives in Exodus 1—choosing to fear God rather than man. Their act of hiding Moses’ birth was more than parental instinct; it was an act of covenant faith that aligned with God’s greater plan for Israel.
The Basket in the Nile
When it became impossible to hide him any longer, Moses’ mother placed him in a basket of bulrushes coated with pitch and set it among the reeds by the river. This desperate yet faith-filled act echoes the story of Noah’s ark—a vessel covered in pitch, carrying life through waters of judgment. In both stories, God uses an ark to preserve life and carry His plan forward.
Moses’ sister, Miriam, watched from a distance, showing both family devotion and a readiness to act when the moment came. This family vigilance ensured that Moses’ birth would not end in tragedy but in hope.
Pharaoh’s Daughter and God’s Irony
Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child and had compassion on him, even though she recognized he was a Hebrew. In a striking irony, the very household that sought Israel’s destruction became the protector and provider for Israel’s deliverer. Moses’ own mother was hired to nurse him, ensuring that he was nourished both physically and spiritually in his earliest years. Later, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s court, educated in Egyptian wisdom, yet destined for God’s purposes.
This episode shows how God used Egypt’s power to preserve the one who would later bring judgment upon Egypt. The survival of Moses’ birth in Pharaoh’s house stands as a testimony to divine irony.
Moses’ Escape from Egypt: The Defender in Midian
As Moses grew, his sense of justice began to surface. Seeing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he struck down the oppressor and hid him in the sand. The next day, he tried to intervene between two Hebrews, but his act of violence was exposed. Pharaoh sought his life, and Moses fled into Midian. This marked the beginning of Moses’ escape from Egypt, a turning point that shifted him from privileged prince to fugitive shepherd.
In Midian, Moses defended the daughters of Reuel (also called Jethro) from shepherds who drove them away from the well. Reuel welcomed Moses into his household, and here we find another major milestone: Moses’ marriage to Zipporah, one of Reuel’s daughters. This union provided stability and connection for Moses during his years in Midian, and through it, God would shape the future family line of the deliverer.
The story of Moses’ escape from Egypt is not one of defeat but of divine preparation, and Moses’ marriage to Zipporah further reveals God’s providence in placing the right people around His chosen leader. Later, as Exodus continues, we will see how Moses’ marriage to Zipporah plays a role in shaping his household and supporting his divine calling.
Lessons from Moses’ Birth, Escape from Egypt, and Marriage to Zipporah
- Parental faith matters – Moses’ survival was due to the courageous faith of his parents who trusted God more than Pharaoh.
- God’s irony overturns evil plans – Pharaoh’s own daughter raised the deliverer Pharaoh tried to destroy.
- Zeal must be shaped by God – Moses’ early attempt to deliver Israel through violence failed, showing that human effort without divine timing cannot succeed.
- God hears the cries of His people – Even in long seasons of suffering, God remembers His covenant promises and prepares deliverance.
- Exile can be preparation – Moses’ escape from Egypt looked like failure, but it was God’s training ground for leadership.
- God provides companionship and covenant – Moses’ marriage to Zipporah shows how God placed support in Moses’ life during his preparation, reminding us that God often works through relationships.
Final Thoughts
Exodus 2 is a story of survival, irony, and divine preparation. From Moses’ birth in a basket on the Nile to Moses’ escape from Egypt in Midian, and finally to Moses’ marriage to Zipporah, his life reflects God’s sovereign plan to raise up a deliverer for His people. This chapter reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, His ways are higher, and His covenant promises never fail.
Read the full Exodus 2 (KJV) passage to see the details for yourself. For the wider context of Israel’s bondage and Moses’ calling – visit the hub article – Israel’s Bondage in Egypt and Moses is Called By God: Profound Exodus 1–6 Summary.