Verse: Exodus 2:7-9
Theme: Divine Wisdom Through Childlike Initiative, Strategic Intervention, and the Restoration of Maternal Bonds
“Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’ ‘Yes, go,’ she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.”
— Exodus 2:7-9, New International Version (NIV)
“Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women so that she may nurse the child for you?’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go ahead.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Then 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.”
— Exodus 2:7-9, New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go.’ So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Then 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.”
— Exodus 2:7-9, English Standard Version (ESV)
Meaning of Exodus 2:7-9
Boldness wrapped in innocence achieves what seasoned diplomacy could never accomplish, as a young girl’s spontaneous suggestion transforms impossible circumstances into miraculous restoration. Miriam’s quick thinking demonstrates how God can use the perceived weakness of youth to navigate complex situations that would stymie adult reasoning.
The princess’s immediate acceptance of the proposal reveals divine preparation of hearts, showing how God can make even the most unlikely people eager to participate in His redemptive plans without fully understanding their significance.
What appears as clever human strategy actually represents divine orchestration at its finest, reuniting mother and child under the protection and provision of the very palace that had decreed their separation and death.
The irony reaches its peak as Pharaoh’s own household not only preserves the future deliverer but pays his mother to raise him, transforming genocidal policy into generous provision for covenant fulfillment.
Jochebed’s return to active motherhood under royal protection illustrates how God can restore what seemed permanently lost, turning seasons of forced separation into opportunities for deeper bonding and divine preparation.
The immediate success of Miriam’s intervention demonstrates how divine timing can make the most audacious proposals seem perfectly reasonable to those whose hearts God has prepared to serve His purposes.
Popular Words of Wisdom from Exodus 2:7-9
“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength.”
— King David, Psalmist and King of Israel
“The expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”
— Sun Tzu, Ancient Chinese Military Strategist
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”
— Apostle Paul, Apostle and Missionary
“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear.”
— Publilius Syrus, Latin Writer and Philosopher
“Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.”
— William Newton Clarke, Baptist Theologian
“Fortune sides with him who dares.”
— Virgil, Roman Poet
Explaining the Context of Exodus 2:7-9
This remarkable intervention occurs immediately after Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the crying Hebrew baby and felt compassion for him, creating the perfect opportunity for strategic action.
Miriam’s positioning at a distance had prepared her for exactly this moment, demonstrating how faithful watching and strategic waiting can position us to act decisively when divine opportunities arise.
The princess’s obvious concern for the child’s welfare created the opening for practical suggestions, showing how God can use genuine human compassion as the pathway for supernatural intervention.
The immediate need for a wet nurse presented a culturally appropriate solution that would benefit all parties while serving God’s ultimate purposes for Moses’ training and development in Hebrew identity.
This scene unfolds within the broader context of systematic genocide, transforming Pharaoh’s household into a protective environment even more miraculous and significant.
Explaining the Key Parts of Exodus 2:7-9
“Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?'”
Miriam’s bold initiative demonstrates the courage of youth guided by divine wisdom, showing how God can use perceived innocence to accomplish what adult diplomacy might find impossible.
The practical nature of her suggestion made it culturally appropriate and immediately compelling, illustrating how divine inspiration can work through common sense and natural solutions.
“‘Yes, go,’ she answered”
The princess’s immediate acceptance without questioning Miriam’s sudden appearance or Hebrew identity reveals divine preparation of hearts to participate in God’s redemptive plans.
Her eagerness to accept help demonstrates how God can make even the most unlikely people enthusiastic participants in His purposes without their full understanding of the significance.
“So the girl went and got the baby’s mother”
The successful retrieval of Jochebed represents the restoration of what seemed permanently lost, showing how God can reunite families and restore relationships through supernatural intervention.
Miriam’s quick action demonstrates the importance of seizing divine opportunities when they arise, as timing often proves crucial for successful intervention.
“Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you'”
The offer of payment transforms an act of mercy into legitimate employment, providing economic security while ensuring proper care for the child’s development and Hebrew identity formation.
The royal command to “take this baby” ironically reverses Pharaoh’s genocidal decree, showing how God can turn oppressive systems into protective mechanisms.
“So the woman took the baby and nursed him”
Jochebed’s restoration to active motherhood under royal protection illustrates how God can transform seasons of loss into opportunities for deeper bonding and divine preparation.
The natural nursing relationship ensured Moses would receive not only physical nourishment but cultural identity and spiritual foundation crucial for his future calling.
Lessons to Learn from Exodus 2:7-9
1. Divine Wisdom Often Works Through Childlike Initiative and Bold Simplicity
Miriam’s spontaneous suggestion demonstrates how God can use the perceived weakness and innocence of youth to accomplish what adult sophistication might find impossible.
2. Strategic Positioning and Faithful Watching Prepare Us for Decisive Action
The young girl’s readiness to intervene at the perfect moment shows how expectant faith combined with strategic positioning enables effective participation in God’s redemptive work.
3. God Can Restore What Seems Permanently Lost Through Unexpected Pathways
The reunion of mother and child under royal protection illustrates how divine intervention can reverse impossible circumstances and restore broken relationships.
4. Divine Timing Can Make Audacious Proposals Seem Perfectly Reasonable
The princess’s immediate acceptance of Miriam’s suggestion shows how God prepares hearts to embrace solutions that serve His purposes even when they appear unlikely.
5. God’s Provision Often Exceeds Our Greatest Expectations and Needs
The transformation from desperate separation to paid motherhood demonstrates how divine intervention can turn crisis into blessing beyond human imagination.
Related Bible Verses
“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 18:3, New Century Version (NCV)
“The Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.”
— Deuteronomy 30:3, Contemporary English Version (CEV)
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
— Isaiah 40:29, Good News Translation (GNT)
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
— 1 Chronicles 28:20, American Standard Version (ASV)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19, Revised Standard Version (RSV)
How This Verse Points to Christ
Exodus 2:7-9 points to Christ through the theme of divine wisdom working through apparent weakness to accomplish supernatural restoration and provision that exceeds human expectations.
Miriam’s bold initiative despite her youth parallels how Christ chose humble disciples and worked through the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and accomplish redemption.
The princess’s immediate acceptance of help from an unexpected source mirrors how God’s grace often comes through unlikely channels that transcend social barriers and cultural expectations.
The restoration of the mother-child relationship under royal protection foreshadows how believers are restored to fellowship with the heavenly Father through Christ’s provision and protection.
The transformation of genocidal policy into generous provision illustrates how God can turn the enemy’s schemes into pathways of blessing, just as the cross became the means of salvation.
The payment for nursing care demonstrates how God’s provision often exceeds basic needs, reflecting the abundant grace available through Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Closing Reflection
Exodus 2:7-9 presents a masterpiece of divine orchestration where childlike boldness achieves what adult diplomacy could never accomplish. Miriam’s spontaneous suggestion transforms an impossible situation into miraculous restoration, demonstrating how God can use perceived weakness to navigate complex circumstances that would stymie sophisticated reasoning.
The princess’s immediate acceptance of help from an unexpected Hebrew girl reveals how divine preparation can make even the most unlikely people eager participants in redemptive purposes they don’t fully understand but serve willingly.
This passage teaches us about the power of strategic positioning combined with faithful watching, showing how expectant faith prepares us to act decisively when divine opportunities arise that require immediate response.
The ultimate irony of Pharaoh’s household not only preserving but paying to raise the future deliverer demonstrates how God’s sovereignty can transform the enemy’s weapons into instruments of blessing and provision.
Jochebed’s restoration to active motherhood under royal protection illustrates how divine intervention can reverse seasons of loss into opportunities for deeper bonding and preparation for future calling and destiny.
This story challenges us to recognize how God may be preparing us through seasons of watching and waiting to act boldly when His timing creates opportunities that serve His redemptive purposes.
The passage ultimately points us toward Christ, who chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and whose apparent weakness on the cross became the ultimate demonstration of divine power and wisdom.
Say This Prayer
Gracious Father,
We marvel at how You used young Miriam’s bold initiative to accomplish what seemed impossible, reuniting mother and child under the protection of their enemies.
Grant us the courage to act decisively when You present opportunities that require immediate response, trusting Your wisdom over our fears and hesitations.
Help us position ourselves strategically through faithful watching and expectant prayer, preparing our hearts to participate in Your redemptive work when the timing is perfect.
Give us childlike boldness to make suggestions and take actions that might seem audacious but serve Your purposes for restoration and provision.
When we face seasons of separation and loss, remind us that You can restore what seems permanently gone through pathways we never imagined possible.
Thank You for Christ, whose apparent weakness became ultimate strength and whose sacrificial love restored our relationship with You beyond our greatest expectations.
May we trust Your timing and respond with faith when You call us to participate in miracles of restoration and provision.
Through Jesus our Redeemer, Amen.