Not because God needs it, but because he is pleased to let us partake and receive the reward of working with him. Yet God often works his good will through human hands, and we get to join in his mission and participate in his plan. Surely, if she had left, and God wanted to, he could have done it another way. Instead of saying “God will protect Moses all by Himself” and leaving, his sister stayed and participated in God’s plan. When God had providentially brought the daughter of Pharaoh to the baby, the sister of Moses ran up to her and asked her if she needed a Hebrew nurse to take care of the baby.
The sister of Moses stood at a distance and watched the basket. While God miraculously protected Moses from the many dangers, his salvation was provided partly through uniquely human means. Every minute this tiny, defenseless, baby stayed in this hazardous river He was protected by the sovereign hand of God. Yet, in an very palpable display of God’s Providence over all things, Moses was protected from all of these dangers. And for Moses, another threat was being found by an Egyptian who would murder him by drowning in the Nile per the law. In addition there are tropical diseases carried by mosquitoes, sunstroke, roaring rapids, dehydration, and many other dangers. Also there are Hippopotami that aggressively turn over boats (and have statistically killed more humans than the assumed “most dangerous predator,” the lion). Then crocodiles that are set to devour anything. First, there 10 types of venomous snakes that slither perilously close to the river. Every attempt has failed and resulted in death. In fact, no civilization on earth has been able to successfully send an expedition from the north to the south, or vice versa. The Levites ceased to be cursed, and became blessed. Yet, even though Levi’s namesake was a curse, and his legacy was to be filled with corruption, because of the advent of Moses who saved his people, Levi’s legacy was forever changed. He, along with his brother, earned a curse from their father (Genesis 49:5-7) for violently avenging their sisters seduction (Genesis 34:24–30). The Levites were the descendants of Levi, one of the sons of Jacob. What isn’t always taught is the broken beginning of this special tribe. They were very highly esteemed and carried some of most prestigious roles in all of Israel. God’s presence changes legaciesĮveryone who has been around the church has heard of the word “Levite.” Growing up, I was taught that the Levites were a very special group of people, who were anointed by the Lord to be involved in ministry as priests and musicians.
Post-modern thought alludes that there is no good/evil and everything is relative, yet in the pages of this Bible story, we can clearly see a very real, tangible, presence of evil. Sin and evil is the only good explanation of why things are the way they are. So thus we see, everything starts with evil. Had there been no oppression, there would be no Moses story.
Instead, the primary cause of his “fame” is the evil nature of the Egyptian oppressors. Moses is known all around the world, three major world religions mention his name (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) and yet, it’s not because of Moses himself. The very backdrop to this famous story is the fact that there is evil. Through more intense study I found out this passage to be filled with many satisfying riches of wisdom and profoundly humbling ideas. Yet sure enough, God’s word proved to be bigger, smarter, and deeper than my little mind assumed. The first time I opened the passage and read it, I thought to myself, “how in the world can anyone preach from this tiny story?” It’s a concise summary that simply says Moses is born, put in a basket, found by a princess, and grows up. I was recently asked to preach from the first part of Exodus 2:1-10.
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