Many years after the adventures of Joseph, a new chapter began in the land of Egypt. The people who were descendants of Joseph were now called Israelites or Hebrews. They had grown into a large and flourishing community, with families and children spreading far and wide.
Most of the Israelites lived in Egypt, alongside the Egyptians. However, things were not as harmonious as they could have been. The Israelites and Egyptians were treated differently, even though they were all people with hopes and dreams.
A new king, Pharaoh, came into power. He became worried that the Israelites would become too powerful and take over the land. So, he made a terrible decision. He enslaved the Israelites, forcing them to work long hours doing hard labor. Even when they were exhausted, the Egyptians showed them no mercy, demanding even more work. It was a very difficult time for the Israelites.
But Pharaoh's cruel actions didn't stop there. He made a law that any baby boy born to an Israelite family should be killed. This was a heartbreaking law for all the Israelite parents.
One such family was expecting a baby boy. When their son was born, they were determined to protect him.
They hid him for three months, but as he grew older, it became harder to keep him a secret. So, they came up with a plan.
They made a strong basket and lined it with soft blankets. Carefully, they placed the baby boy, whom they named Moses, inside the basket. Then, they put the basket among the tall grass by the Nile river.
Moses had a loving sister named Miriam. She watched from a distance, keeping a close eye on her baby brother. And then, something incredible happened.
Pharaoh's daughter, along with her servants, came to the river for a swim. As she swam, she noticed something floating in the grass nearby. She asked one of her servants to retrieve it.
When Pharaoh's daughter opened the basket, she saw the adorable baby inside. Moses woke up and started to cry. Pharaoh's daughter was filled with love and compassion for the little one.
Miriam, who had been watching attentively, approached Pharaoh's daughter and suggested finding an Israelite woman to nurse the baby. Pharaoh's daughter agreed, and Miriam hurriedly ran to fetch Moses' mother.
When they returned with Moses, Pharaoh's daughter asked the Israelite woman to care for and nurse the baby.
Little did she know, this woman was Moses' own mother. She willingly agreed, and Pharaoh's daughter promised to pay her for her assistance.
From that moment on, Moses became like a son to Pharaoh's daughter. She named him Moses, which means "drawn out of the water," as she had rescued him from the river.
And so, the tale of Moses begins, filled with remarkable adventures and a destiny that would shape the future of the Israelites.
The story teaches us that even in the darkest moments, there can be acts of compassion and unexpected opportunities for change. By helping others and treating everyone with fairness and understanding, we can make a positive difference in the world.