It's easy to think of Moses as a lone figure, leading his people to freedom. But according to tradition, his birth was intertwined with the fate of an entire generation. The text "Legends of the Jews" tells us that the 600,000 Hebrew baby boys, born on the same night as Moses and cast into the water on the same day, were saved because of Moses' merits. Later, Moses could rightfully say, "The people that went forth out of the water on account of my merits are six hundred thousand men." Quite a statement, isn't it?
But the story doesn't end with a miraculous rescue. For two precious years, Moses, rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, remained hidden with his family. And during that time, he wasn't just Moses. He was known by many names, each reflecting the hopes and fears surrounding his arrival.
His father called him Heber, because through this child, he was "reunited" with his wife. A beautiful sentiment, wouldn't you agree? It speaks to the power of new life to heal old wounds.
His mother knew him as Jekuthiel, meaning "because I set my hope upon God, and He gave him back to me." Imagine the relief, the overwhelming gratitude in that name.
To his sister, Miriam, he was Jered, a reminder of her "descent" to the Nile, her vigilant watch over his fate. It’s a powerful image – a young girl’s bravery shaping the course of history.
Aaron, his brother, called him Abi Zanoah, a poignant acknowledgement of how his birth had prompted their father, who had "cast off" their mother, to take her back. The ripple effects of a single life…
His grandfather, Kohath, knew him as Abi Gedor, recognizing that the Heavenly Father had "built up" the breach in Israel when he rescued the child, stopping the Egyptians from drowning more Hebrew boys. The weight of leadership already resting on tiny shoulders.
His nurse called him Abi Soco, because he had been kept hidden in a "tent" for three months, safe from the Egyptians’ murderous pursuit. A reminder of the constant danger, the ever-present threat.
And Israel, the collective, called him Shemaiah ben Nethanel, because in his day God would "hear" the people's sighs and deliver them from their oppressors, and through him, He would "give" them His own law. What a profound prophecy embedded in a name!
Each name, a miniature story. Each name, a different facet of his destiny. It’s fascinating how a single person can hold so much meaning, so much potential, even from infancy. It makes you wonder, what names are we given, and what names do we earn, throughout our own lives? What stories do we embody?