The Story of Moses
Moses is an iconic and historical figure in the Judaic and Christian doctrine. The father events represented in the Bible are in a close connection with the events and actions that took place during the times of Moses.
His contribution to religion is invaluable, especially in asserting the sovereignty of God, and divinity of his laws in the life and afterlife (Reilly, 1911). In the times of Moses, the Jewish people were enslaved by the Egyptians. The Egyptians hated their slaves, as they were afraid of the Israeli population explosion. This was perceived as a threat to the Egyptians’ country, and led to the murder of all Israelite newborns. That was the main reason why the Israelites cried to God for deliverance from the hands of the Egyptians; and the end of the more than four hundred years slavery of the Israelites in Egypt began with the birth of Moses. Moses was a member of the Levite tribe, a son of Amram.
Jochebed, Moses’ mother, had hidden her son from the Egyptians, who were killing every Jewish child. When Moses reached age of 3 month, his mother set him adrift on the River in a small basket to save his life. Moses soon was rescued, and brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter in the palace. As Moses was growing, he was recognizing the similarities between him and the enslaved Israelites. Moses was infuriated by the treatment his people received from the hands of the Egyptians.
He defended an Israelite boy from the cruel Egyptian man, and this led to the death of the Egyptian man (B.B.C., 2009). This action determined the destiny of Moses to liberate the Israelites from the tyrannical rule of Pharaoh.
The birth of Moses and his upbringing in the Pharaoh’s palace was not coincidental, but a divine design to finish the liberation of the Israelites. However, in his attempt to separate two conflicting Israelites, Moses realized that the killing of the Egyptian would be discovered. He fled from Egypt to Midian where he took a wife, and worked as a shepherd. The liberation of the Israelites would begin years after his escape from Egypt (B.B.
C., 2009). His work as a shepherd is symbolic to the greater purpose of taking charge in the liberation of the Israelites. However, though he was faced by significant challenges while trying to liberate the children of Israel, Moses did not lose his heart since God was working through him. He overcame his timidity and self-doubt, and challenged pharaoh to release the Israelites.
The subsequent ten plagues of the land of Egypt indicated Moses’ Supreme position as an ambassador of God. Though pharaoh was unrelenting, Moses became a winner in liberating the Israelites from the Egyptian rule, and liberating the Israelites towards God through the subscription to the Ten Commandments and the Torah. The deliverance of the Isaelites from the Egyptians left them in the leadership of Moses. Therefore, Moses had to be a good leader of his people. His role as the leader of the Israelites was constantly asserted by the Israelites’ frequent demand to show them the right direction (Eyre, 2011).
Moses kept in close contact with God to present the people’s problems to Him, and receive directions on their behalf. The parting of water in the Red sea was a significant event that proved Moses’ undisputed evidence of his ability to command the natural powers in the name of God (Eyre, 2011). His leadership was based on the interaction between God and his people. Unlike ordinary leaders, he did not consider himself to be superior to his Israelite counterparts. However, he asserts himself as a servant executing God’s commands and will to his people.
It is the leader’s duty to mediate between the people and the higher authority. In this case, Moses mediated between the Israelites and God. Though, the Israelites were aware of the fact that God delivered them from Egypt through Moses, they constantly rebelled and strayed from God’s laws. Despite the Israelites actions to displease God, Moses did not give up his role and duty to intercede on their behalf (Swindol, 2011). He had managed to change God’s mind on punishing the Israelites for many times.
The reliance on Moses to provide food, water, and security was fulfilled by the raining of manna from heaven, the striking of a rock to produce water, and the erection of a serpent to prevent effects of snake bites; these symbols were critical points in the history of the Moses’ leadership.The beginning of his mission was symbolized by the meeting with God in the burning bush at Midian; initially, Moses had reservations on his ability to negotiate and speak for the Israelites. However, God reassured him that he was the perfect candidate for the job, and he would be provided with any assistance he required. God provided him with a mouthpiece, his brother Aaron, and a weapon, his walking stick (Reilly, 1911). Even though Moses was aware of his leadership skills and abilities in the beginning; throughout his life, he demonstrated critical leadership skills lacking in many world leaders. The principles of a given society are defined by its laws.
Hence, the Israelites, like any other society, required to be governed in accordance to some laws. However, their laws were not dictated by a man, but by God himself. Moses, being a leader, was mandated to issue, implement, and enforce laws given by God. However, it was impossible to execute his duties among the population of six hundred thousand men, excluding women and children. Therefore, Moses opted to delegate the minor decision making and issues of law to Judges (Eyre, 2011). When leaving Egypt, the Israelites did not have a documented law system; thuus, the issue of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai to Moses was significant to set a fundamental agreement between the Israelites and God.
The enforcement of the law was critical to the unity of the Israelites. The Presence of the tabernacle with Ten Commandments was a symbol of the presence of the supreme lawmaker, God. The Promised Land was, on the other hand, occupied by people whose religious beliefs negated the Israelites laws on worship. Therefore, Moses ensured that laws justified the destruction of all foreign religions that were contradicting the laws given to the Israelites by God. Though God is illustrated as compassionate Father, his wrath was to be feared. Moses perceived the severity of God’s wrath to the Israelites’ deviation and sinful acts as an attempt to measure the Israelites commitment to his Covenant.
Moses played a significant role in the Israelites community as a facilitator of the path to the creation of the Israelite nation. Though, he did not live to see the Promised Land, his contributions were critical to its realization. Moses was born in a period when the Israelites continuity was threatened by the killing of the Jewish newborns. Moses is a symbol of God’s impartiality in the choice of leaders (Swindol, 1999). His significance, in biblical aspect, characterizes Moses as an iconic figure in the establishment of the Judaism and Christianity, law, and spiritualism.
In his life, Moses aspired to bringing his people closer to God. His judgment over the Israelites was in accordance to the given laws, as commanded by God.Moses sought to protect and preserve the Israelites’ faith by ensuring adherence to God’s law while eliminating threats to God’s people. His leadership and prophetic oratory inspired the Israelites to fight aggressively for the Promised Land. The historical relevance of Moses is crucial since he forms the foundation, on which the Christian laws and commandments were based.
His mediation and intercession on behalf of the Israelites when faced by challenges characterizes Moses as a man who truly loved his people (Reilly, 1911). He trusted God utterly; he believed he would save them from the hands of their enemies. Though Moses may have seemed to be insignificant in the face of his enemies, considerably pharaoh, God made his humble personality and his countenance an illustration of the God’s power and influence. Moses is characterized as a notable religious icon in his quest to seek justice and freedom for his people. His unquestioning faith in God served to inspire the faith in the Christian communities. His perseverance in the challenges he faced demonstrates strength of his character, charisma, and faith in God.
He symbolizes an idealistic Christian perspective of religious faith and proclamation of absolute trust in God.
