Miriam, the sister of Moses, then about ten or twelve years of age, who waited near by, asked Pharaoh's daughter if she might not find a nurse for her, and being allowed to do it, she called Jochebed, the child's mother. Thus her prayer was answered, and she had the care of the child besides.
He was named Moses, which signifies being taken out of the water. He was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and was treated in all respects as if he were the son of the princess.
After he became of age, while walking forth one day, he observed with indignation the oppression of his brethren; and seeing an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, he became so excited, that he interfered, and killed the Egyptian. Fearful of the consequences of this rash act, he fled into the land of Midian, where he became a shepherd.
As Moses led his flocks one day near to the north or west side of Mount Sinai, the Lord appeared to him in a bush, burning but not consumed. Moses was astonished at the sight, and went near to see the miracle.
And the Lord spoke to him out of the bush, and told him to put off his shoes before he came any nearer, as the spot was sacred on account of the presence of God. We should never go into the presence of God, or engage in his worship, without being solemn and attentive.
God then declared himself to Moses to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and told him that, on account of the promise he had made, and in view of what his oppressed people suffered from the cruel Egyptians, he now intended to deliver them, and bring them into Canaan, and would make Moses the instrument of this.
The Hebrews, at the command of God, and under the direction of Moses, left Egypt at last in great haste, and took their journey to the south-east. Pharaoh and his people were soon sorry that they had consented to let them go, and followed with a great army to bring them back, and nearly overtook them on the west side of the Red Sea.