The Moses Theory
I have a theory about Moses.
Most people know the story. But here’s a review
Moses was born an Israelite in Egypt; at the time the people of Israel were slaves. And though baby boys were being drowned in the Nile by the Pharaoh’s orders, Moses’ mother couldn’t let them take her son. So, she made a raft and put Moses on it, praying that God would direct and protect her son. She set her son into the Nile. Her daughter Miriam watched the little raft from the reeds and soon saw Pharaoh’s daughter pull Moses from the water and claim him as her own. Miriam steps out and offers to help find a nursemaid for the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter agrees and brings Moses’ mother to serve as the nursemaid for the child.
So, for the first three years of Moses’s life (as suggested by archeology) Moses was in the care of his mother before she took him to live in the palace with Pharaoh’s daughter.
There is so much to talk about in this little bit of the book of Exodus (Exodus 2), but I want us to look at another Bible verse before diving into my theory.
In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard labor, and he saw an Egyptian man attacking a Hebrew man, one of his people. Exodus 2:11
And Moses said, “Here I am.” God said, “Do not approach any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” He added, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3 4b-6)
These verses suggest that Moses was fully aware he was an Israelite and had compassion for his people. And that he had a reverence for the god of the Israelites rather than the gods of Egypt, all because of his mother’s influence in those first three years.
So, this is the Theory: What is taught in the first three years of a child’s life is just as important as what is taught later on.
I say this because those preschool years matter.
Those preschool years are hard without a doubt, but kids are listening. They are dry sponges that crave to be saturated. They crave your voice, attention, and time. Which can be highly draining at times, but oh the impact you as a parent makes in those years. The Preschool years are such a precious time. You are your kids’ world. The amount of influence from the outside world is the smallest it will ever be. And the amount of influence you have as a parent is astronomical.
They are watching to see how you react to the world. How do you react to stress and frustration? Who you are compassionate toward, and where do you spend your time?
What if Moses’ mom spent more time on a device than engaging with Moses? What if Moses’ mom allowed Sunday as the only time they talked about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? There are so many what-ifs, none of which are meant to pour on the mom's guilt, but to empower you. To look at your child and say if he/she were to lead a nation like Moses, what kind of leader am I raising?
The preschool year gets a bad rap at times because there is a lot of just surviving and keeping everyone alive that happens. The depth and being intentional doesn’t always come naturally. But because preschools crave knowledge it doesn’t take a lot to teach biblical truths
Check out my Five Key Truths Every kid should know and How to Insert Biblical Truth in the Everyday Busy
Treasure the young years! It is a precious time of ministry and relationship building. The three years Moses’s mom had with him made him compassionate, courageous, and chosen to do the work God had for him.