What does Exodus 1:20 mean?

Despite Pharoah's persecutions, God ensures several positive developments for the Hebrew people. He responds to the dangerous choice made by the midwives: defying Pharaoh's evil order (Exodus 1:15–17). They had protected the young lives of Israel's sons, risking their own lives in the process. God blessed them as a result. This likely included Shiphrah and Puah, as well as other Jewish midwives who protected young lives. Directly contradicting the Pharaoh's goals, the Israeli population continued to grow.

The result was a nation of Israel which continued to threaten the Egyptians due to their sheer size. Pharaoh would soon choose even more drastic measures to kill newborn Jewish males (Exodus 1:22). This command is given to all of Egypt, specifically to throw Hebrew boys into the Nile River.

Ironically, in the context of this wicked command, God allowed a baby boy to be literally "cast into" the Nile, yet protected and raised up within Pharaoh's own household, becoming the rescuer of the people of Israel (Exodus 2:1–10). This child would be known by his name: Moses, meaning "draw out," based on Pharaoh's daughter drawing him out of the water.