After the death of Jacob, his descendants lived many years in Egypt. They became very rich because they worked hard and long. Their number increased rapidly till finally they spread all over the land. Everywhere they went, they were called "Children of Israel", or "Israelites", because Jacob's name was Israel.
After many years a new king ruled Egypt. He was afraid of the Israelites because of their number and industry. He said to the Egyptians, "Let us be harsh with the Israelites, so that they may not increase. For they may become our enemies, and rule over us.
In spite of the cruel treatment, however, the Israelites continued to increase in number. At last the king ordered that every baby boy born of the Israelites should be cast into the river to die.
At this time, a baby boy was born to an Israelite woman of the tribe of Levi. For three months she hid the child in her home. When it was no longer possible to hide him, she wove a basket of grasses. She covered the basket with mud and pitch, so that the water would not get in. Putting the baby in the basket. she laid it among the reeds near the river bank. To her daughter she said, "Miriam, stand near. See what happens to the baby."
After a while the king's daughter came to bathe in the river. She saw the basket among the reeds, and ordered one of her maids to fetch it.
When the basket was opened, the princess saw the baby. who was crying. She took pity on the child and decided to save him. This is one the Israelite children," she said.
Miriam saw all that had taken place. Running forward. she asked the princess, "Shall I get an Israelite woman to nurse the baby?"
The princess consented, and Miriam hurried to fetch her mother.
"Take the child," the princess said to the mother. "Nurse it for me. I will pay you wages." The mother gladly took the baby home. She nursed it until it was grown up. This child was Moses.
- from My Bible History in Pictures, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., 1934; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael J O'Doherty of Manila, Philippines