The Basket In The Reeds
The basket in the reeds is more than just a vessel for a baby. It’s a profound picture of God’s sovereignty—His ability to bring life and deliverance out of a situation designed for death. In Exodus 2, we see a helpless Hebrew boy floated down the Nile—seemingly abandoned, yet perfectly placed. That basket became a tool in God’s hands, setting the stage for His deliverance of Israel and showcasing His power to work even in the enemy’s camp.
This story isn’t just about survival; it’s about God’s strategy, His sovereignty, and His ability to prepare victory even in the heart of opposition. Let’s dive into the story of the basket in the reeds and explore what it teaches us about God’s work in our lives today.
Pharaoh’s Mandate Meets God’s Sovereignty
The chapter begins with the weight of Pharaoh’s cruelty hanging over the Hebrew people. Exodus 1:22 describes his decree: "Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, ‘Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.’" This genocide was Pharaoh’s desperate attempt to weaken the Hebrews, preventing them from becoming a threat to Egypt’s dominance.
But while Pharaoh’s heart burned with fear and cruelty, God’s hand was already at work.
In Exodus 2, a Levite woman (later revealed as Jochebed) gave birth to a baby boy. She saw that he was "a fine child" and hid him for three months (Exodus 2:2). When she could hide him no longer, she placed him in a basket and floated him in the reeds of the Nile. Let’s pause here—this wasn’t an act of desperation but an act of faith.
The Hebrew word for "basket" (tevah) is the same word used for Noah’s ark (Genesis 6:14). Just as God used the ark to save Noah and his family from the floodwaters of death, He used the basket to deliver Moses from Pharaoh’s decree. The waters meant for death became the waters of deliverance.
A Hebrew Raised in Pharaoh’s Household
This story takes an unexpected turn when Pharaoh’s daughter finds the basket. Exodus 2:5-6 describes how she opened it, saw the crying baby, and "took pity on him." She knew he was a Hebrew child—one of the boys her father had condemned to death. Yet, moved by compassion, she chose to save him.
This moment is rich with divine irony. The very household that sought to destroy the Hebrews became the place where God nurtured their deliverer. Pharaoh’s daughter defied her father’s decree by adopting Moses and raising him as her son. Imagine the audacity of this act: while the Hebrews wept under Pharaoh’s oppression, a Hebrew child was being raised as royalty under Pharaoh’s roof.
Acts 7:22 tells us that Moses "was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds." God used Pharaoh’s own resources—education, leadership training, and royal privilege—to prepare Moses for his future role as the leader of Israel.
The Basket in the Reeds: God’s Strategy in the Enemy’s Camp
This isn’t just a story about survival; it’s a story of God’s sovereignty. Long before the plagues, before Moses even knew who he was, God was already working in the enemy’s camp to secure Israel’s deliverance.
Pharaoh’s palace, a symbol of oppression for the Hebrews, became the training ground for their deliverer. It’s a pattern we see throughout scripture:
Joseph in Egypt: Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph rose to power in Egypt and saved his family from famine (Genesis 50:20).
Esther in Persia: Esther’s position as queen enabled her to save the Jewish people from destruction (Esther 4:14).
Jesus and the Cross: Satan thought he had won when Christ was crucified, but through His death and resurrection, Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame" (Colossians 2:15).
In Exodus 2, God planted Moses in Pharaoh’s household as a quiet but deliberate act of spiritual warfare. He worked within the very system of oppression to prepare for Israel’s liberation.
Spiritual Warfare and Victory in the Enemy’s Camp
Pharaoh’s decree to kill the Hebrew boys wasn’t just an act of political fear—it was a satanic attempt to thwart God’s redemptive plan. This wasn’t just a physical battle; it was a spiritual one. But here’s the beauty of God’s sovereignty: even as the enemy schemes, God is already orchestrating victory.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness." Just as God worked within Pharaoh’s household, He works today within the enemy’s strongholds, equipping His people to stand firm and advance His kingdom.
The Basket in the Reeds: A Symbol of Trust
When Jochebed placed Moses in that basket, she wasn’t just letting him go—she was entrusting him to God’s hands. The basket in the reeds became a vessel for God’s purposes, carrying Moses to safety and to his destiny.
This resonates with Psalm 23:5: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." God doesn’t need to remove us from danger to demonstrate His power; instead, He works within the danger to bring about His plans.
What Does This Mean for Us?
The basket in the reeds is a reminder that God is always working, even in the places where the enemy seems to have the upper hand. Just as He placed Moses in Pharaoh’s palace, He places us strategically in our circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
Here’s what we can take from this story:
God is sovereign over the enemy’s plans. No human decree or spiritual attack can thwart His purposes (Psalm 2:1-4).
God equips us for victory. Just as Moses was prepared in Pharaoh’s household, we are equipped through Christ to stand firm in spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:10-18).
God uses unlikely people and places for His glory. Whether it’s a baby in a basket, a Hebrew in Pharaoh’s palace, or a Savior on a cross, God delights in using what the world sees as weak to demonstrate His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Conclusion
The basket in the reeds wasn’t just a desperate attempt to save a child; it was part of God’s strategic plan to deliver His people. Through the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter and the irony of Moses’ upbringing, we see God’s sovereignty on full display. He was working in Pharaoh’s palace long before the plagues, preparing for Israel’s deliverance while Pharaoh plotted their destruction.
The next time you feel surrounded by the enemy, remember the basket in the reeds. God isn’t just working to rescue you—He’s working to prepare you, to position you, and to bring about His victory in the most unlikely places. Just as Moses floated safely to Pharaoh’s household, you can trust that God’s plans for your life are unfolding—even when you can’t see the full picture yet.