Moses

*Mose’s story is told in the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy

Who is Moses?

  • Moses is a central figure in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
  • Born in Egypt to a Hebrew family during a time when the Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn Hebrew boys, Moses was hidden by his mother and later adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter. He grew up in the Pharaoh’s court, receiving an Egyptian education while retaining his Hebrew roots.
  • Moses is considered a prophet and a leader, who was chosen by God to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and to establish a covenant between God and His people.

Strengths and Accomplishments

  • Faith and Obedience: Moses had tremendous faith in God. Despite initial reluctance, he obeyed God’s call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, showcasing his unwavering faith.
  • Leadership: Moses successfully led a multitude of people through incredibly tough circumstances. This includes the escape from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the 40-year journey in the wilderness.
  • Mediator of the Covenant: Moses served as the mediator of the covenant between God and the Israelites. He received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and taught them to the people (Exodus 20:1-17).

Weaknesses and Mistakes

  • Insecurity and Fear: Initially, Moses was insecure about his speaking abilities and fearful of the task ahead. He even asked God to send someone else (Exodus 4:10-13).
  • Anger: Moses struggled with anger. A notable incident was when he struck a rock twice in anger, instead of speaking to it as God had commanded. This act cost him the chance to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:10-12).

Lessons from His Life

  • God uses the unlikely: Moses, an exiled murderer with a speech impediment, was chosen to lead a nation. His story demonstrates that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
  • Obedience brings victory: Moses’ obedience to God led to miraculous victories, like the parting of the Red Sea.
  • Anger can lead to regret: Moses’ inability to control his anger led to severe consequences. This teaches us the importance of managing our emotions.

Key Verses

  • “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'” – Exodus 4:10 (NIV)
  • “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.” – Exodus 14:21 (NIV)
  • “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'” – Exodus 3:11 (NIV)