Tuesday 9 July 2024
When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. (v. 3)
Background
We read yesterday how the new king of Egypt (Pharoah) feared the Hebrews (the Israelites). He declared that all male Hebrew babies should be thrown into the Nile, while the girls were to be saved. He thought Egyptian men could marry the girls and they would become integrated into the Egyptian way of life. He feared, however, the Hebrew men that the male babies would become. Pharaoh didn't want them to become fathers or fighters.
Born into this environment was a baby boy, who was raised by his mother for three months. When she could no longer hide him or keep him safe, she placed him in a basket and floated it down the river, knowing that Pharaoh's daughter was likely to be there. Already in her service was this child's sister, so when the Pharaoh's daughter took pity on the crying baby, his sister was able to fetch his mother who could continue to care for him. This child became the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and she named him Moses.
This encounter lays the foundation for the wider story of redemption. Exodus focuses on the Israelites with Moses as a central character. Born a Hebrew and raised in an Egyptian palace, Moses was destined to bridge the gap and be the tool by which God saved the Israelites. In Exodus, we see a blueprint for a bigger picture of how God bridges the gap between heaven and earth through Jesus Christ to save all people.
The story of Jesus, much like the story of Moses, causes us to ask questions and to wonder. Others who watch our faith will ask similar questions. Why is it not easier? Why is life not easy? Where is God in the midst of our current difficulties? Why doesn't God save us now? Our faith shows us that God has stepped into our world and offers us all the same chance that Moses was given - to live even within the struggles of our world.
To Ponder:
- How do we respond to the world around us and what questions do we seek God’s answers to?
- How do we help those with little or no faith to find answers to their own, often similar, questions?
Prayer
We pray for the world around us, our communities and churches. We pray that God will help us. We know the reassurance of faith – that God cares for us and is with us through all things. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Mark Carrick
Mark is a presbyter in the Derbyshire North East Circuit, and is currently the minister of Central, Barlborough and Clowne churches. His passion is for ministry within the community and growing disciples within the Church. Mark has now served four years in the Methodist Church and is preparing to become Superintendent in 2025.