Observation: In what is truly a terrible decree, Pharaoh has said that all male Jews are to be thrown into the Nile at birth. Moses' mom is able to hide him three months, but then cannot. Of course, very quickly Moses will be discovered in the basket by Pharaoh's own daughter, saved, and raised in a manner of skill and learning and privilege that will eventually make him qualified to speak before Pharoh.
However, this is all only possible because Moses' mom ... complies with the declaration of Pharaoh. In fact, her voluntary compliance likely saves Moses' life, as if she had waited for the Egyptians to find Moses and throw him in the river, he would have drown. Pharaoh made an evil declaration designed to kill and destroy. God used it for good, and did so not through having his faithful people fight, but rather by guiding them toward a form of compliance.
Application: We stand here today in a world that is full of evil, with people in authority who lack any Godly compass for avoiding such influences. Before the problems happen, Christians are faced with the question of what to do when we are surely told to comply with unholy instructions. Fortunately, God has already answered this. We are to trust in him, while not compromising ourselves beyond the bounds of his laws.
Moses' mom did this. She did not kill her son, nor did she allow him to be murdered. She placed him in the river as the authority required, but kept watch and trusted that the Lord would find a way to deliver him. And he did so, for the greatest of his purposes, keeping the Jews on the long-term path to be his priesthood in the world, and bless all mankind through the Messiah.
Prayer: Lord, may I keep your ways before me when I am challenged and question what to do. In all things, may I love others, but also may I trust in your great plan. Amen.
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