Here is a detailed exposition on the birth and young life of Moses, based on Ellen White’s writings: Birth and Early Childhood Moses was born during a time of great peril for the Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh had issued a cruel decree that all Hebrew male infants were to be killed at birth. In this context, Moses’ mother hid him for as long as she could. When it became too dangerous, she prepared a small ark of bulrushes, waterproofed it with pitch, and placed the baby in it at the edge of the river, with his sister Miriam watching nearby. Angels watched over the infant, and through divine providence, Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child. Moved with compassion, she decided to adopt him as her own son. Miriam then offered to find a Hebrew nurse, and thus Moses’ own mother was chosen to care for him during his earliest years (1SP 162; 3SG 180). Formative Years with His Family Moses spent only twelve years with his Hebrew family, but these years were crucial. His mother, though little known to fame, laid the foundation of his greatness. She instilled in him faith in the God of Israel, a knowledge of his people’s history, and a sense of his own destiny (Ed 61). Education in Egypt After being weaned, Moses was taken to Pharaoh’s palace, where he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and the prospective heir to the throne. He received the highest civil and military training available in Egypt, becoming “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” This education was thorough, but much of it would later need to be unlearned, as it was contrary to the knowledge of God (MH 474; CT 417.2; PP 248.1). Struggles and Divine Preparation The influences of Egyptian culture—its idolatry, grandeur, and refinement—left deep impressions on Moses. However, God’s plan required Moses to unlearn these influences. After an incident in which he killed an Egyptian while defending a Hebrew, Moses fled Egypt and spent forty years as a shepherd in Midian. This period of humble labor and communion with God was essential for his preparation as Israel’s deliverer (PP 248.1; MH 474). Summary - Moses’ birth was marked by danger and divine intervention. - His mother’s faith and early training laid the spiritual foundation for his life. - He was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and educated in Egypt’s royal court. - The wisdom of Egypt had to be unlearned through years of humble service and communion with God in the wilderness. - Moses’ early life was a blend of privilege, trial, and divine guidance, preparing him for his future role as leader of Israel. Academic References: - White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1903). Education. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1877). The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1864). Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1905). The Ministry of Healing. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1913). Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students. Pacific Press. If you need more specific references or further details, please let me know!

Ellen White draws several parallels between the birth and early life of Moses and that of Jesus. Here are the key points of comparison, supported by her writings: 1. **Birth Under Threat of Death** - Both Moses and Jesus were born at a time when a decree had gone out for the destruction of infants: Pharaoh commanded the death of all Hebrew male babies (Exodus 1:22), and Herod ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Both mothers were compelled to take extraordinary measures to save their sons (see Patriarchs and Prophets, The Desire of Ages). 2. **Divine Protection and Providence** - The survival of both children was marked by divine intervention. Moses was hidden in a basket and found by Pharaoh’s daughter; Jesus’ family was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt (see 1SP 162; DA 98.3). 3. **Humble Beginnings** - Moses, though destined for greatness, began life as a slave child, hidden in a humble home and then in a basket on the river. Jesus, the King of glory, was born in a stable and laid in a manger, “divested of kingly honors, without pomp or grandeur” (1SP 340.1). 4. **Deliverers of Their People** - Both were raised up as deliverers: Moses to free Israel from Egyptian bondage, and Jesus to deliver humanity from sin. Moses himself prophesied, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken” (Deuteronomy 18:15; see also PK 684.3; AA 222.3). 5. **Foreshadowing and Prophecy** - Moses’ life and mission were types (foreshadowings) of Christ’s. Ellen White notes that Moses was shown the life of Christ, including His humble birth and rejection (1SP 340.1). The lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness by Moses prefigured Christ being lifted up on the cross (DA 174.3). 6. **Preparation for Mission** - Both spent formative years in humble circumstances: Moses as a shepherd in Midian, Jesus as a carpenter’s son in Nazareth. Both were prepared for their mission through hardship and communion with God (PP 248.1; SpTEd 68.3). 7. **Prophetic Fulfillment** - The birth and mission of both were foretold by prophecy. Moses’ birth was a fulfillment of God’s promise to deliver Israel, and Jesus’ birth fulfilled the prophecies of a coming Messiah (DA 56.2; SJ 20.2). **Summary Table:** | Parallels | Moses | Jesus | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Threat at birth | Pharaoh’s decree (Ex. 1:22) | Herod’s decree (Matt. 2:16) | | Divine protection | Hidden in bulrushes, adopted by royalty | Fled to Egypt, protected by angels | | Humble beginnings | Slave child, basket in river | Born in stable, laid in manger | | Deliverer | Freed Israel from Egypt | Saves humanity from sin | | Prophetic foreshadowing | “A Prophet like unto me” (Deut. 18:15) | Fulfillment of Messianic prophecies | | Preparation for mission | Shepherd in Midian | Carpenter in Nazareth | **Key References from Ellen White:** - 1SP 162, 340.1 - DA 98.3, 174.3, 56.2 - PK 684.3 - AA 222.3 - SpTEd 68.3 - SJ 20.2 - PP 248.1 If you would like more direct quotations or further details from any of these sources, please let me know! **Academic References:** - White, E. G. (1877). The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1917). Prophets and Kings. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1911). Acts of the Apostles. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1923). Special Testimonies on Education. Pacific Press. - White, E. G. (1941). The Story of Jesus. Pacific Press.