A woman who saved a people

By Richard Boyd

Have you ever wondered why Pharaoh's daughter took Moses in as her son? Remember that her father, Pharaoh the king of Egypt commanded that all Hebrew boys be eradicated.

Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you cast into the Nile, but you let every daughter live.”

Exodus 1:22

Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she retrieved it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews' children.”

Exodus 2:5-6

The bible is very explicit if we understand exactly what we are reading? In other words, we need to let the Bible interpret itself. We read in the above verses that Pahoroes daughter took pity on baby Moses. The King James version states she had compassion.

The Hebrew word is ḥāmal, it implies to spare, have pity and have compassion. Pharaoh's daughter was moved in a way to spare the boy Moses, she acted as a mother would with her child. Her compassion towards Moses was greater than her father's demands for injustice. She recognized who Moses was, she knew he was a Hebrew and did not deny his right to existence.

“Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.”

Ezekiel 36:21. Here we read another scripture among many that speak of pity, to spare, and have compassion. YHVH (God) jealousy for His land, is directed by pity for the people He promises the land to.

Pharaoh's daughter is no doubt the most influential woman in Egypt. Operating like a woman possessed with mother-like qualities. She by compassion and instinct spares the weeping child Moses, then she initiates the adoption of a non-Egyptian, as her child.

“And they shall be mine, say's the Lord of hosts, in that day when making up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his son that serves him.” Malachi 3:17

Once again we read the meaning of the Hebrew word ḥāmal, to be spared. When Yeshua (Jesus) went about doing good. The Bible says He was moved with compassion. Yeshua spared the lives of those he pitied. His intent towards the hurting has always been to be influenced by a heart of compassion. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Pharaoh's daughter changed the course of history by rejecting the injustice of her father the King. She did not give in to his diabolical scheme to annihilate the Hebrew people. She allowed the divine favor of God upon Moses to influence her. She forever engraved in history the emancipation of a people. Eighty years later Moses would return and free the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery by the hand of God.

We can learn many lessons from this story, nonetheless, here are two important points. God developed a woman who no one would have thought sympathized with the Hebrews. Pharaoh's daughter is an example of many women today within the local church, that have been pushed aside. Due to religious opinions, women have been denied the privilege to lead righteously. Yet, like Pharaoh's daughter, many hold the key to the success of a local church.

Finally, although their are those within certain circles that do not hold your best interests at heart. There will always be someone who will be moved by compassion on your behalf.

Hāmal, - to be moved by compassion and pity sparing others.

Pastor Richard

Photo by Richard Boyd