BABY MOSES
Leader Bible Study
When Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all male babies instead of bringing them safely through delivery, Shiphrah and Puah courageously refused to obey the orders of the most powerful man in the world. Instead, they offered the excuse that Hebrew women were so strong they gave birth to healthy babies before the midwives could arrive! Due to their bravery, these two women saved an untold number of boys' lives.
Not to be outwitted by slaves, Pharaoh abandoned his tactic and issued a new order that "all his people" were to throw every son born to the Hebrews into the Nile. Imagine the terror of a postpartum mother who knew that, at any moment, someone could rip her baby boy from her arms and drown him by order of the king. These were the circumstances into which Moses was born.
The author of Hebrews wrote that Moses' family kept him hidden for three months because they saw that he was astejos (Hebrews 11:23). This rarely used Greek word is difficult to interpret, and it conveys more than Moses' physical appearance. Various translations read "beautiful" (CSB; ESV), "no ordinary child" (NIV), "unusual" (NLT), and "proper" (KJV). There was something unique about this baby that made his family believe he was destined for greatness, and they were determined to do whatever they could to save his life.
Jochebed took matters into her own hands and placed Moses in a pitch-covered "ark," demonstrating that, just as God saved Noah and his family (Genesis 6-8), she believed He would save her son. Instead of allowing a cruel king to determine his fate, she trusted God to spare her boy's life. In a surprising twist, God used the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter to reverse Moses' misfortune. Instead of being drowned in the Nile, Moses earned his name by being "drawn out" of the water and adopted into the very family that had plotted his execution. Thanks to the quick thinking of his watching sister, Moses returned to his biological mother for a few priceless years, during which he was physically and spiritually nourished.
How are you trusting God with the lives of those you love? As you pray this week, thank God that no one can thwart His good plans for you and those you love. Ask Him for the strength to trust Him as unconditionally as Jochebed did.
Introductory Activity
Gather babies together and sing Head, shoulders knees and toes with the babies! Say, "God made me and God made you! Thank you God for making me!" Sing again and say, "God made "Jack" and God made "Jack's familly" Thank you God for Jack's family!" Sing again! Repeat several times!
Bible Story
A mother loved her baby boy. She made him a special basket bed.
The baby’s mother trusted God to take care of her baby.
She placed him in the water.
The baby’s sister, Miriam, watched the basket bed in the water.
Pharaoh’s (king) daughter found the baby.
The baby’s sister got their mother to care for the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter named the baby Moses.
Bible Story (Ones / Older Variant)
A mother loved her baby boy and made him a special basket bed.
The mother put the baby in the basket. She then put the basket in the water, trusting God to keep the baby safe.
The baby’s sister, Miriam, watched the basket in the water.
Pharaoh’s (king) daughter found the baby. The baby’s sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter if she wanted help with the baby.
The baby’s sister got their mother to care for the baby until he was older. Pharaoh’s daughter named him Moses.
Using a blanket play peek-a-boo with babies. Say, "Moses' mom and sister cared for Moses. God gives us families to care for us and we can care for our families."
Place baby items such as blankets, bottles, diapers, baby dishes on the floor along with a baby doll. Make a river with block busters. Let each child explore with the baby items and sorted in each baskets, Say: "The baby's mother put him in a basket bed to protect him. His sister watched him to be sure he was safe. Pharaoh's daughter found him and named him Moses. God had a plan for Moses. God planned for Moses to help people. We can care for and protect our family members."
Set up baby on the floor including a baby doll, washcloths, and a small tub with a just enough water to wash the baby. Invite the children to gently wash Baby Moses, dry him with a towel, and wrap him in a blanket. Talk about how Moses and his family! Explain that God gave Moses a family and God gave us a family!
Pack a box or small tub with baby items such as bottles, diapers, blankets and a baby doll. Say, "Moses' sister took care of him! Thank you God for my family!" Allow preschoolers to push the box across a taped line on the floor.
Decorate baby basket! Paper with a basket and baby outline, yarn, leaves, reed cutouts, and blue paint.
Let children explore decorating with all the materials. Say "Moses mom loved him and made him special basket" .
Give each child a baby doll and play gentle lullaby music. Encourage children to rock their babies, sway from side to side, or gently pat them while the teacher sings and says, “Moses' family loved and cared for him.”
Show pictures of baby Moses in the Bible, then place a baby doll inside a basket and partially cover it with a blue scarf. Encourage children to lift the scarf, discover baby Moses, and point to the pictures while the teacher retells the story using simple words.