What's Your Part?

The book of Exodus opens after the generation of Joseph and his brothers died. The Israelites had greatly increased in number, and the current Pharaoh of Egypt, who had no relationship with the family of Joseph, felt threatened by their numbers. So the people of Israel were enslaved and oppressed. When this did not diminish the people, Pharaoh went further, and instructed the midwives to kill any Hebrew males that were born. However, the midwives "feared God" and let the boys live. When questioned, the midwives said that Hebrew women gave birth faster than Egyptian women - too quickly for the midwives to get there first.

20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. (Ex. 1:20-21)

Pharaoh then gave an order to all the people to throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. A Levite husband and wife had a son during this time whom they named Chaver (according to Jewish tradition). The wife hid him for 3 months. When she could no longer hide him, she laid him in a basket that she had coated with tar and pitch, and set it afloat in the Nile. Chaver's older sister, Miriam, watched as he floated to the part of the Nile where Pharaoh's daughter bathed. When Pharaoh's daughter had a servant retrieve the basket, and saw that it held a baby, she knew he must be a Hebrew child.

7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” (Ex. 2:7)

Miriam then went and got her own mother, and Pharaoh's daughter paid her to nurse her own child. After Chaver was weaned, he became the son of Pharaoh's daughter and she named him Minios (meaning draw out), translated to Moshe or Moses in Hebrew.

Through compassion and love each of the women in Moses' life did their part to ensure that this child would have a chance to live. How many small acts of compassion and love have shaped your life? In what acts of compassion and love can you intentionally engage to shape someone else's life?

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom. 12:6-8)

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Cor. 3:6-9)