God’s Surprising Rescue
Exodus 2:5–10 (NASB95)
5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. 6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
Commentary - God’s Surprising Rescue
God often works in ways that no one expects. The story of Moses’ rescue at the Nile is a powerful reminder of His providence and the courage of those who choose good, even when surrounded by evil. Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the river to bathe, following the daily routines of Egyptian life. Her attendants stayed on the shore, but she alone entered the water and noticed the small ark among the reeds. The ark, carefully placed where it could be reached, held a crying Hebrew baby. Pharaoh’s daughter felt compassion and decided to save him.
This moment is filled with irony and hope. Pharaoh had ordered the death of every Hebrew boy, yet his own daughter chose to protect one. She was raised in a palace shaped by cruelty and fear, but she did not let her background define her actions. Her father’s evil did not become her destiny. She saw a child in need and responded with mercy. This story teaches us that our past, our family, or the darkness around us do not excuse us from doing what is right. Anyone can choose to honor God, no matter where they come from or who raised them.
Women play a central role in God’s plan for Moses. His mother hid him and built the ark. His sister Miriam watched over him and bravely spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter. The princess herself acted with courage and compassion. Each woman made a choice that shaped the future of Israel. God used their faithfulness to protect and prepare the one who would lead His people to freedom.
God’s providence shines through every detail. The ark that saved Moses echoes the ark of Noah, a vessel of deliverance in a world of danger. Pharaoh’s daughter not only rescued Moses but arranged for his own mother to nurse him. She even paid her for this care. Moses grew up safe, loved, and educated in the very household of the king who wanted him dead. God turned a place of threat into a place of preparation. The name Moses means “drawn out,” a reminder that God draws His people out of danger and into His purpose, often in ways no one could predict.
For us today, this story speaks with clarity. Your past does not control your future. The failures or sins of your family do not decide who you will become. You are not trapped by your upbringing or the darkness around you. God calls each of us to choose what is right, to show compassion, and to trust His ability to work through any circumstance. When you see someone in need, do not look away. When you face a choice between comfort and courage, remember Pharaoh’s daughter and the women who saved Moses. God is still drawing people out of darkness and into His light. He can use your faithfulness to change a life, a family, or even a nation.
In His Service,
Ryan Goodnight