Baby Moses in the Basket

A loving mother trusts God to keep her baby safe, and God watches over little Moses by the river.

Long ago in the land of Egypt, a mother held a sweet little baby boy in her arms. He was soft and warm, and she loved him more than she could say. But Pharaoh, the hard-hearted king of Egypt, had made a cruel rule, and little baby boys like hers were not safe. So she hid him for three whole months, rocking her little one close, humming gentle songs, and deep in her heart she trusted God to watch over him and keep him safe.

With careful hands, she wove a little basket out of reeds. She coated it with sticky tar and pitch, snug around every edge, so not one drop of water could seep inside. Then, oh so gently, she laid her sleeping baby down on the soft bottom. “There now, little one,” she whispered, “you are cozy and safe.”

Quietly, she carried the basket to the great Nile River and set it down among the tall green reeds. The water lapped softly, and the reeds swayed in the warm breeze. Close by, the baby’s big sister, Miriam, tiptoed near and hid where she could see. With watchful eyes, she stayed nearby to keep her little brother safe.

Before long, Pharaoh’s own daughter, a kind princess, came walking down to the cool river. She noticed the little basket bobbing gently among the reeds and peeked inside. There lay the baby, crying a soft little cry that melted her heart. “Oh, he is so precious,” she said softly, and her face filled with a tender smile.

Just then, brave Miriam stepped out from the reeds. “Shall I go and find someone to help care for the baby?” she asked. “Oh, yes!” said the princess with a smile. So Miriam ran and brought back the baby’s very own mother — and the kind princess let her hold him and care for him! When the boy was a little older, the princess loved him as her own and gave him a special name. “I will call him Moses,” she said gently, “because I drew him out of the water.”

All this time, God had been watching over little Moses, even when no one else could see. He had kept the baby safe in the basket and on the gentle water. God had a special plan just for Moses, and He would keep him close for years to come. Moses was safe, Moses was loved, and God’s gentle care was all around him.

Thank You, God, for watching over me wherever I go, just like You watched over baby Moses by the river.