Moses

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**Moses** led the Israelites out of the slavery they suffered in Egypt, at God's direction. After their dramatic escape through the Red Sea, the real adventure of trusting God's provision started. As the leader of the Israelites, Moses faced many challenges, some of the biggest which took place upon his arrival to Mount Sinai. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, through the wilderness to the Promised Land. The Bible says: “There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.” God allowed Moses to view the Promised Land from a mountaintop before his death.

## Bible InfoScan

Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed. He was also the brother of Miriam and Aaron. (Exodus 6:18-20 ; Numbers 26:59). Moses was three years younger than Aaron (Exodus 7:7). He was a Hebrew born at the time when a cruel pharaoh wanted to prevent the Hebrew population from increasing. Pharaoh ordered that no more male Hebrew children should be allowed to live. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, recognized that Moses was a special baby and God had a plan for his life! Because of this, Jochebed hid him. After three months, she realized she could no longer do this. She then waterproofed a basket, placed her baby son inside, and put it in the Nile River.

Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing in the river and spotted the floating basket. By the suggestion of Moses’ sister, Miriam, the princess employed a Hebrew woman (Jochebed) to nurse Moses until he was old enough to stay with her in the palace. The princess then adopted Moses and raised him as her son. During these early years, Moses was taught the faith of his ancestors (Exodus 2:1-10). The name Moses was given to him by Pharaoh’s daughter. Exodus 2:10 says, Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.” Moses lived with the princess and was taught the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:20-22).

Although Moses was raised in the palace as an Egyptian and had a privileged upbringing in the palace, he never forgot his own Hebrew people. He witnessed his people being treated cruelly as slaves where they were forced to do hard work. Moses wanted to help his people. In his anger, he took matters into his own hands and foolishly killed an Egyptian. Moses fled for his life when Pharaoh learned what Moses had done. Moses traveled to Midian where he met Jethro and worked as a shepherd. Moses married Zipporah, one of Jethro’s seven daughters. He spent forty years there in exile before God spoke to him through a burning bush.

God called Moses to lead His people out of bondage and out of Egypt. After making several excuses, Moses finally obeyed and went with Aaron (his brother) to Egypt. Before Pharaoh allowed them to leave, the Egyptians experienced the ten plagues - and God’s power (Exodus 3:3-12).

Moses led God’s people across the Red Sea. And then for forty years, he led them through the wilderness as God guided them with a cloud pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He ultimately led them to Mount Sinai where God had spoken to him from the burning bush (Exodus 3:12). During the long journey, the people began to murmur and complain. They soon forgot the trials in Egypt. They kept looking back and thinking that life was harder in the wilderness than when they were in bondage. Moses, however, patiently focused on his mission. God miraculously provided the manna and the quail (Exodus 16) to feed the Israelites in the wilderness. God also worked a miracle through Moses when He provided water to the Israelites from a rock (Exodus 17:5-6).

When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave him sound advice on how to prevent burn-out and to lead the people better, Moses delegated responsibility to subordinate rulers who would judge the people in small cases (Exodus 18).

When the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, Moses went up into the mountain to meet with God. The Lord appeared in a terrific storm with thunder and lightning and a thick cloud (Exodus 19:16). During his encounter with God, Moses received the Ten Commandments and founded the religious community known as Israel (Exodus 20). Through the Law, Moses taught his people all that the Lord expected of them. They were to be a holy people, separated from the surrounding pagan, idol-worshiping tribes, a people who put God first and who followed His rules.

Moses led the people to the edge of the Promised Land. He sent out 12 spies to explore the land by God’s command (Numbers 13:1-3). Moses was not allowed to enter the land because of his disobedience to God when he struck the rock twice to provide water instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded (Numbers 20:7-13).

When the Israelites finally arrived at the Promised Land (Canaan), Moses' work was done. Moses renewed God’s covenant with the Israelites that were still alive after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. He praised God and blessed the people, tribe by tribe (Deuteronomy 33:1-29). Moses then climbed Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land, and died, just as God had told him. The Bible says that the Lord Himself buried Moses in Moab. The Israelites never saw him again, and the circumstances of his death and burial remain a mystery (Numbers 34:1-8).

The exact place is not known. Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eyesight was clear and he was as strong as ever. The Bible says that Joshua became the leader of Israel. Moses had laid hands on Joshua as the Lord commanded him to before he died (Deuteronomy 34:1-9). "There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel" (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

## Life Lessons

* You don’t have to be perfect for God to use you to help others.
* You can do difficult tasks for God because He has promised to be with you.
* Allow God to shape your personality through experience and your relationship with Him.
* Focus on God and solutions, not on problems.
* Trust God to provide what you need.
* Pray for others.
* Follow God by faith.
* Disobedience has consequences.
* Do not turn away from your father and mother's teaching.
* God has a plan and a future for everyone.
* The Lord is faithful to protect us.