When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:10
Have you ever wondered what Jochebed (birthmother) called Moses for the months that he was with her before she set him afloat in a basket on the river? Did he have a name? Or did they just not name him for fear that he would be found out? I wonder if Jachebed liked the name chosen by Pharaoh’s daughter. I wonder if she cared that she did not get to give him his name, or if she was just happy that he was alive.
It was brave of her to give up her son, in order to save his life. When she placed him in the river she had no idea what would happen to him or where he would end up. It is a miracle that he ended up back with her as a nursemaid. I am sure that she treasured every moment that she had with him knowing that soon she would have to return him to Pharaoh’s daughter.
Several weeks ago I was asked if Madilyn was Madilyn’s real name. I shook my head and said “what” in disbelief. “Well did you change her name?” Needless to say I did not answer the question because it is really not anyones business. People no longer seem to have any sense of boundaries.
In the world of adoption there is much controversy over changing of names. Some people choose to change the names of the children they adopt, some choose to keep the name given at birth, if a name was given. It really is an individual and private decision. So please don’t ask adoptive parents if they kept the name given or if they changed the name. If they want you to know they will tell you.
Sometimes there are questions that just should not be asked.