The upbringing of Moses


Moses is the main character in the book of Exodus. God used him as a mighty weapon in His Hands to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt.

The Pharoah of Egypt got frightened about the growth of Israelites and decided to oppress them with hard labour. To control their population, the Pharoah of Egypt ordered that all the male children born to Hebrews should be thrown into the Nile river.

The parents of Moses, kept him in hiding for 3 months risking their lives. Finally his mother put him in a specially made Papyrus basket and kept it in Nile river. The daughter of Pharoah, saw him in that condition and decided to take care of him as her son. Exodus 2:1-6. Miriam,the elder sister of Moses, was looking at what was happening. She offered to arrange a Hebew woman to take care of the child. That is how, the Princess entrusted Moses to his own mother to nurse him as a child.

Exodus 2:1 tells us that his parents are from Levite family. Exodus 6:20 tells us that Amram and Jochebad were the parents of Aaron and Moses. Exodus 15:20 tells that Miriam was their sister. 1 Chronicles. 6:1-3 tells us that the father of Aaron, Moses and Miriam was Amram.

The daughter of Pharoah gave the responsibility to nurse the child in infancy. After he was weaned- maybe around 3 years, Moses was given back to the royal family, where he was brought up as an Egyptian royal family member. Exodus 2:6-8.

The upbringing of Moses as a small child was excellent. Though he was so small, his parents taught him about his God, what he should do and what he should not do.His parents were people who knew their God and people who walk the talk.

The Godly atmosphere in the family and their Godly upbringing is amazing. That helped their elder daughter Miriam to become a prophetess.Ex.15:20. Their second child Aaron became the high priest.(Exodus 28:1;38:21; Numbers.3:6; Psalm.99:6) Moses, their younger son was a priest( Psalm.99:6) and a prophet.(Deut.34:10). Numbers 12:3, says he was the most humble man on the face of the earth.

What could have happened if the parents of Moses were not giving proper upbringing to Moses? He would have identified himself as an Egyptian prince with their faith and practices.

Because of his exemplary upbringing as a child
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews.11:24-27.

Few highlights.

  1. Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (He could have even become the future Pharaoh.)
  2. He chose to be mistreated along with the Isrealites,who were slaves.
  3. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt.
  4. By faith ,he left Egypt…

I am amazed at the Godly influence of a Godly couple ,who were slaves in a foreign country, on their children. Their elder daughter Miriam became a prophetess, their first son Aaron became the High priest and their younger son Moses ,whom they could care only for around 3 years became one who was used by God to deliver His people from bondage.

How is our spiritual life?

How is the spiritual upbringing of our children?

What are they doing for the Lord?

Are they running after the worldly name , fame and possessions or are they going after God?

What is their ministry involvement today?

May God help us to be Godly parents like Amram and Jochebed and may our children grow as Miriam, Aaron and Moses to change the world history.

Rev.C.V.Abraham.