Pharaoh’s Cruel Decree
Pharaoh, the mighty ruler of Egypt, sat upon his grand golden throne, surrounded by his most trusted advisors. His face was stern, his eyes cold and unyielding as he listened to their warnings.
“The Hebrews are growing too many,” one advisor cautioned, his voice filled with concern. “Their numbers are increasing rapidly. If they ever turn against us, they could become a powerful force—strong enough to challenge your rule.”
Pharaoh’s expression darkened. The thought of an uprising, of slaves daring to defy his authority, filled him with fury. He would not allow it. He would crush any threat before it could take root. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his voice echoing through the grand hall as he issued a dreadful command:
“Every newborn son of the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile and drowned. But their daughters—you may let them live.” — Exodus 1:22
That night, terror swept through the land of Goshen, where the Hebrews lived. Egyptian soldiers, armed with swords and torches, stormed into Hebrew homes. Mothers clung desperately to their newborn sons, pleading for mercy, but the soldiers showed none. Wails of anguish filled the streets as babies were torn from their mothers’ arms. Fathers fought to protect their children, but they were outnumbered and powerless against Pharaoh’s ruthless army.
The river that had once been a source of life and nourishment now became a grave for the innocent. The cries of helpless children echoed in the darkness, swallowed by the waters of the Nile. A deep sorrow settled over the Hebrew people, but in the midst of despair, a glimmer of hope remained—one child, hidden away, would change everything.