By Rabbi Moshe Vosoghi:
Parshat Shemot records the beginnings of Klal Yisrael, how the nation was terribly enslaved by Pharaoh and the Egyptians. As difficult as it was, things took a dreadful turn for the worse when Pharaoh was informed that a savior was to be born to the Jewish nation. In order to deny the Jewish people their freedom, Pharaoh decreed that all Jewish male babies should be thrown into the river, never to be seen again. Yet, despite Pharaoh’s decree, one child managed to survive. Little Moshe, safely ensconced in a basket, not only survived, but was taken in by Pharaoh’s own daughter, and raised on Pharaoh’s knee. Instead of destroying his sworn enemy, Pharaoh doted on him like a grandfather to a grandchild. Years later, that child grew to be the great Moshe Rabbeinu, the leader of Klal Yisrael, and the downfall of Pharaoh.
This story seems like poetic justice — the very same person Pharaoh swore to destroy is instead brought up in Pharaoh’s own household. However, the Steipler Gaon sees a deeper idea in this narrative.
Despite Pharaoh’s enormous wealth and absolute power, despite his keen desire and myriad soldiers eager to do his bidding, there was no way to stop the will of Hashem. When Hashem decrees something, it is as good as done, and no amount of work will stop it, and conversely, no amount of effort will bring it any faster. A person can easily get caught up in this world, thinking that if they only did such-and-such, it would bring them wealth, fame, and happiness. Or if only they had foreseen some circumstance, they could have avoided loss, difficulties and sadness. These thoughts run against the true nature of this world. Hashem runs the world, down to the tiniest detail. If it is decreed by Hashem, it will happen. If not, it will not happen. A lot of heartache, worry, and general apprehension will dissipate when we understand that it’s not our world, it’s Hashem’s.