Moses - Man or Myth

 Adopted Into Pharaoh's Household

The fate of Jochebed's  infant was not left to chance.  She "put [the ark] among the reeds by the bank of the river Nile."  This was likely a spot where she hoped it might be discovered.  Here Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe, perhaps regularly." - EXODUS 2:2-4. 

The tiny ark was quickly spotted.  "When [Pharaoh's daughter ] opened it she go to see the child, and here the boy was weeping. At that she felt compassion for him, although she said: "This is one of the children of the Hebrews."  The Egyptian princess thus decided to adopt him.  Whatever name his parents had originally called him is long forgotten. Today he is known the world over by name his adoptive mother gave him - Moses. - EXODUS 2:5-10. 

Is it not farfetched, though, to believe that an Egyptian princess would take in such a child? No, for Egyptian religion taught that kind deeds were a requisite for entrance into heaven.  As for the adoption itself, archaeologist Joyce Tyldesley observes: Egyptians women achieved parity with Egyptian men.  They enjoyed the sme legal and economic rights, as least in theory and . . . women could make adoptions."  The ancient Adoption Papyrus actually documents one Egyptian woman's adoption of her slaves. As for the hiring of Moses' mother as a wet nurse, the Anchor Bible Dictionary says:  "The payment of Moses' natural mother t0  nurse him . . .echoes identical arrangements in Mesopotamian adoption contracts." 

Now that he had been adopted, would Moses' Hebrew heritage be kept from him as a dark secret?  Some Hollywood films have made it appear that way.  The Scriptures indicate otherwise. His sister Miriam, cleverly arranged  for Moses to be nursed by his own mother, Jochebed. Surely this godly woman would not have concealed the truth from her son!  And since children in ancient times were often breast-fed for several years, Jochebed had ample opportunity to teach Moses about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.'  (Exodus 3:6)  Such a spiritual foundations served Moses well, for after being handed over to Pharaoh's daughter, Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians."  The claim of historian Josephus that Moses ran to the rank of an general in war with Ethiopia  cannot be verified.  However, the Bible does not say that Moses "was powerful in his words and deeds." - ACTS 7:22. 

By the age of 40, Moses was likely position to become a prominent leader. Power and wealth could be his if he remained in Pharaoh's household.  Than an event took place that changed his life.

Next time: Moses - Man or Myth? - Exile In Midian

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