More Sarna: Exodus 2.2

Of what significance is the note in Exodus 2.2 where we read that Moses was a “beautiful” (NKJ) or “fine” (ESV and NIV) child?

Sarna says this: “Hebrew tov, usually ‘good,’ might also here connote ‘robust, healthy.’  The entire clause stirs immediate association with a key phrase, seven time repeated in the Genesis Creation narrative, ‘God saw that…was good’ (tov).  This parallel suggests that the birth of Moses is intended to be understood as the dawn of a new creative era” (Nahum Sarna, Exodus [Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1991], 9).

Enns draws on Sarna’s emphasis: “The birth of Moses, in keeping with the re-creation theme in chapter 1, is not merely about the birth of one man, but represents the birth of a people.  The savior of God’s people is born, and through him they will receive a new beginning.  Their slavery will end and their savior will bring them safely into their rest, the Promised Land” (Peter Enns, Exodus [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000], 62-3).

This is helpful, especially in light of other comments of Enns as well as Fretheim, noting that the ten plagues and the crossing of the Sea were in many ways a de-creation and re-creation.  It wasn’t a localized instance of one god fighting another god; it was a cosmic battle between Yahweh and the anti-god, Pharaoh.  Yahweh moves creation and recreates it to keep his Abrahamic covenant.

shane lems

sunnyside wa