Who Was Moses?
Moses is one of the most significant characters in the whole Bible. He was a servant of the Lord, leader, lawgiver, prophet and was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians' bondage. God worked great wonders through Moses, gave the people the Ten Commandments, and made His covenant with the people of Israel.
Moses is remembered as a courageous leader, but that was far from an easy life. He waited 40 years, faced rejection, fear, failure, opposition from God before He was called to do what He was meant to do. This is a lesson for us from his life: God always works with his servants in the dark times before he gives them much to do.
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# Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name | Moses |
| Meaning | "Drawn out" (because he was drawn out of the Nile River) |
| Role | Prophet, Leader, Lawgiver |
| Parents | Amram and Jochebed |
| Tribe | Levi |
| Brother | Aaron |
| Sister | Miriam |
| Wife | Zipporah |
| Successor | Joshua |
Led Israel out of Egypt, gave them the Ten Commandments |
| Main Bible Books | Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy |
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# Moses' Life at a Glance
Nurtured in Egypt, the land of slaves
Swam up from the Nile River by the daughter of Pharaoh
Born in the palace of Pharaoh
Fled to Midian (Egypt) having killed one of the Egyptians.
Saw God at the burning bush
To Egypt, where he was to meet Pharaoh.
Brought Israel out from the sea of Red Sea water
Accepted the Law on Mount Sinai
Brought Israel up out of Egypt (Exodus 14:30)
Saw the Promised Land from Mount Nebo before dying
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The Birth of Moses
At the time of Moses' birth, the Israelites were in Egypt for several generations. A new Pharaoh was ruling and feared their increase and decreed all the baby boys of the Hebrews be killed.
Jochebed, Moses' mother, hid him for three months. So she put him in a basket, smeared with pitch, and laid him among the reeds of the river Nile, where he was.
When Pharaoh's daughter found him, she felt compassion for him. She took him and called him Moses, because he was found in the water.
From the outset, God had a special plan for Moses.
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Born in the palace of Pharaoh.Raised in the palace of Pharaoh.
Moses grew up with the privileges of Egyptian royalty. He had probably a very good education and knew the Egyptian customs and language, and had experience in the leadership of Egypt.
However, he would never forget that he was part of the family of God.
While a grown man, Moses confronted an Egyptian man beating a Hebrew slave. He was enraged and struck dead the Egyptian and buried him in the sand.
As the incident spread Pharaoh tried to kill Moses, and he fled to the wilderness.
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# Forty Years in Midian
Then Moses left for the land of Midian, where he tended sheep. He married, and lived in peace, forty years, with Zipporah, who was the daughter of Jethro.
The year that seemed lost were really years of preparation.
Moses was a shepherd, and through his experience, he was taught patience, endurance, humility and dependence upon God, which he would need to lead an entire nation through the wilderness.
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# The Burning Bush
Moses was looking after his sheep in the vicinity of Mount Horeb one day, and he noticed a bush burning with a fire but without being consumed.
God called to him from the bush:
> "Moses, Moses."
Moses answered,
> "Here am I."
God revealed his holy presence and told Moses to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground.
God entrusted a special assignment to Moses: to go back to Egypt and bring His people out of slavery.
So Moses asked himself, “But what can I do?”
He asked,
* "Who am I?"
"Well, what should I say?
If they don't believe me, what then?
“Not very talkative.
God responded to each argument with His assurance that He would be with him.
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# Confronting Pharaoh
Moses and his brother Aaron went to Pharaoh with God's message:
> "Let my people go."
Pharaoh repeatedly refused.
God then showed His power through 10 plagues inflicting Egypt such as:
Blood was transformed into water.The water became blood.
* Frogs
* Gnats
* Flies
* Livestock disease
* Boils
* Hail
* Locusts
* Darkness
The firstborn was killed.The firstborn died.
Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go after the 10th plague.
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# Crossing the Red Sea
The Israelites soon came to a point where they were left between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea.
There was panic in the camp.
Moses was told by God to hold out his staff over the sea.
The waters parted and Israel crossed the sea on dry land.
When Pharaoh's army pursued them, the waters returned and swallowed up Pharaoh's army.
It is one of the most eerie miracles that is recorded in Scripture.
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# Mount Sinai and the Ten Commandments
God made His covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai.
God gave the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone to Moses on the mountain.
In the meantime, the people were growing impatient and making a golden calf to bow down to.
Moses saw their idolatry and in righteous anger, he broke the tablets.
Even with all Israel's failures, Moses would constantly intercede for Israel before God.
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# Forty Years in the Wilderness
The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their lack of faith.
For those years Moses faithfully guided the people, even though they grumbled and rebelled constantly.
God provided:
* Manna from heaven
Water which comes out of the rock
Support along the way by a cloud of clouds and fire.
* Protection from enemies
One of the most significant attributes of Moses was his patience and dependence.
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Moses' Mistake
Toward the end of God's journey with Moses in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to speak to a rock and water would flow.
Moses, when fed up with the grumblings of the people, hit the rock instead.
Even though God did provide water, Moses would not obey God's commands.
This act of disobedience meant that Moses would not be allowed to go into the Promised Land.
Great leaders are responsible to God.
The Death of Moses
Moses went up Mount Nebo before his death.
From there, God let him see the land that Israel was to possess, the Promised Land.
After blessing the tribes of Israel, Moses died, and Joshua became the nation's new leader.
Moses did not enter into Canaan but his ministry ready the people to receive God's promise.
What was it that Moses did to exemplify a good life?
God can use imperfect people.Imperfect people can be used by God.
Moses was not only afraid, but also uncertain of himself and made mistakes.
But God used him to change history!
2. Don't waste time waiting.
God had been working 40 years in Midian and making Moses into a leader, which seemed a trivial thing to us.
3. Obedience Matters
No matter how faithful they are, servants must follow God's commands.
4. Prayer Makes a Difference
Moses always prayed and interceded for Israel, which is an example of standing in the gap for others.
6. Serving Is True Leadership
Moses was a man of service, he did not seek power, but he served God's people.
Key Bible Verses
Exodus 3 – The Burning Bush
Exodus 12 – The Passover
Exodus 14 – Crossing the Red Sea
This week's Bible study is on the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20.
The text for Numbers 20 – Water from the Rock is taken from the Book of Numbers.
Jesus is the One who is greater than Moses.Jesus is greater than Moses (Deuteronomy 34).
Frequently Asked Questions
When Moses died, how old was he?
According to the Bible, Moses died when he was 120 years old (Deuteronomy 34:7).
Were the first five books of the Bible written by Moses?
The Pentateuch, or Torah, is traditionally attributed to Moses for its authorship, and is the name by which it is usually known. This is the traditional understanding, which is discussed by scholars in terms of the composition of these books.
Why did Moses not get to go into the Promised Land?
He was disobedient to God's command at Meribah (Numbers 20:7-12) by casting a stone at the rock, rather than speaking to it.
Was Moses perfect?
Of course No. Moses made errors, had some fears and at times acted hastily. That God works through broken humans who believe in Him is reflected in his life.
Related Bible Characters
Aaron
Miriam
Joshua
Caleb
Jethro
Pharaoh
Zipporah
Reflection
Moses' story isn't really about an amazing man, it is about an amazing God who calls, equips, forgives, and keeps His promises.
Moses was initially unable to help because he thought that he was not sufficient.
At the end of his life he had seen God's power in ways that few would ever have.
God continues to call people to trust, obey, and walk faithfully every day, and He still calls the unholy to do so.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We are thankful to Moses for his example. Help me to believe in You, when I feel weak or afraid. Teach me to do what You say, to walk humbly, to be faithful in all seasons, In Your strength and in Your promises my confidence may stand: not in my own strength.
In Jesus' name, Amen.