Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. According to Hebrews 11:23 (printed below), why did Moses’ parents make a special effort to spare their son? What was there about Moses that showed his uniqueness? See Exodus 2:2 and Acts 7:20 (printed below)
By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they did not fear the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23)
The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (Exodus 2:2)
At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God. For three months he was cared for in his father’s house. (Acts 7:20)
Hebrews 11:23 informs us that Moses was hidden for three months “because (his parents) saw that he was no ordinary child.” At the time of his birth, Moses’ parents, especially his mother (note Exodus 2:2), noticed the uniqueness of their child. In Acts 7:20 Stephen describes the infant Moses as being “beautiful to God.” The word used here to describe the infant Moses means an attractiveness or physical beauty that is striking. In the case of the infant Moses, God chose to use the striking beauty of this infant to call attention to His unique purpose for this child—and Moses’ parents had the spiritual insight to recognize this.
2. What measures does Moses’ mother take to spare her son? See Exodus 2:2-4 (printed below)
The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (3) When she could no longer hide him, she got an “ark” made of bulrushes for him and coated it with tar and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the River. (4) His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. (Exodus 2:2-4)
Recognizing the uniqueness of this child, Moses’ mother made every effort to preserve his life. First, she hid him in their home for three months. When the child had become too old to be concealed for any longer, she built an ark for him, placed him in it, and set it among the reeds of the Nile. She stationed her daughter, Miriam, to watch over the ark, and then instructed Miriam to offer her mother’s services as nurse to the child when he was retrieved from the river by the Egyptian princess.
3. What is significant about the fact that the basket into which Moses’ mother placed her son is identified as “an ark?”
In constructing an “ark” for her son, Moses’ mother is recalling how the Lord spared Noah from the flood waters of death (cp. Genesis 6:13-14a). By her action she is requesting that the Lord would do the same for her infant son Moses; namely, that He would take care of her son and spare his life.
4. During the first three months of his life, what risk was Moses’ mother taking?
At the time of Moses’ birth, there was in force a royal edict that stipulated that all sons born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). Moses’ mother took a great risk in hiding her infant son for three months; she could have lost her life and she was putting her whole family in jeopardy. (Sometimes we must sacrifice our safety and security for the sake of obedience to Christ.) At the same time, she took an apparently foolish risk; there would come a time when the child could no longer remain hidden, then what would they do? (Sometimes we must take an act of obedience and leave to God the ordering of future events.)
5. When he was grown up, in what ways did Moses resemble his parents? Compare Exodus 2:1-10 (printed below) with the account of Moses given in Hebrews 11:23-27 (printed below).
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. (2) The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (3) When she could no longer hide him, she got an “ark” made of bulrushes for him and coated it with tar and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the River. (4) His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. (Exodus 2:1-4)
By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they did not fear the king’s edict. (24) By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (25) He chose to share mistreatment together with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. (26) He regarded sharing in the reproach of Christ to be of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he looked forward to the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king—and he survived, almost seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:23-27)
When he had grown up, Moses came to exhibit the same spiritual insight that had been characteristic of his parents. He willfully renounced the privileges of Egyptian royalty; he willingly chose to identify himself with Christ and His people, even though it meant hardship, deprivation, ostracism, and persecution. Why did Moses make such a choice? He did so because he recognized that “the pleasures of sin” are only for “a short time”—i.e.; they are only temporary and fleeting. Moses looked to eternity and the reward God promises to those who love Him and serve Him. Furthermore, when he had grown up, Moses came to exhibit the same spiritual boldness that had been characteristic of his parents: he “forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.” Like his parents before him, Moses’ courage stemmed from his faith in Christ: “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king” (Hebrews 11:27). It was his relationship with Christ that enabled him to display godly courage—and it was his commitment to Christ that caused him to display such courage.
