Moses

First Forty Years

Background

Moses means 'drawn out' probably because he was drawn out of the water and Israel was drawn out of Egypt. He is one of the greatest Old Testament figures standing next to Abraham and David in importance. While Moses is not mentioned outside the Old Testament there are veiled references to him in the names of Egyptian monarchs like Tuthmoses III. Moses lived 300 years after the death of Joseph, and was raised up by God to lead Israel out of the slavery of Egypt. The life of Moses is recorded from Exodus 1 through Deuteronomy 34. The account is not so much a biography of Moses as it is a revelation of God's redemption.

Birth of Moses

He was born during a time when the Israelites were growing in number under Pharaoh's heavy hand. In order to control their growing numbers and power Pharaoh began a policy of persecution. All the males were to be thrown into the Nile river while girls were permitted to live. Exodus 1:22 Moses was born in about 1574 B.C. to parents who were descendants of Levi. They are named in Exodus 6:20 as Amram and Jochebed. Exodus 2:1 Under God's hand Moses' mother made a basket of bulrushes made waterproof with bitumen and pitch. His older sister watched over him and insure his safety. When Pharaoh's daughter discovered the ark, recognised Him as Hebrew and determined to keep the child, Moses sister wisely advised that she find a Hebrew mother. Moses very own mother raised Him in Pharaoh's court. God's purposes cannot be thwarted.

Infancy of Moses

Moses was kept with his mother for two or three years while she weaned him. Then Moses was taken to Pharaoh's court and raised as an Egyptian prince. Moses was given the privilege of maintaining his Hebrew roots and at the same time receiving an Egyptian education. Moses had a three year older brother Aaron who would help Moses speak. Exodus 4:14 His adopted parents named him Moses. Very little is know about the first forty years, but Stephen states in Acts 7:22 that 'Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.'

Moses Commits Murder

As Moses witnessed the injustice against his people he grew angry and killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Exodus 2:11 He tried to cover up his sin but was forced to flee Egypt to live in the land of Midian.

Hebrews 11:24-27 'By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.'

Second Forty Years

Midian Desert

God prepared the man He choose to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt by providentially bringing him into the wilderness to live in order that he might become familiar with the land. The Midian Desert was in the Sinai Peninsula. Moses spent 40 years in the Midian desert. Exodus 2-4

While Moses was tending his flocks he observed shepherd maidens in distress from a group of shepherds. He came to their rescue and was introduced to their father Jethro.

Jethro's House

Jethro is described the priest of Midian and had a great influence on Moses during this time. From Midian's name Reguel it is evident that He worshipped El the Semitic God. Here Moses is distanced from the idolatry of Egypt. Here he marries one of Jethro's seven daughters, Zipporah. Moses lived out these days caring for Jethro's sheep and learning the markings of the landscape for future use. Exodus 3:1

Burning Bush

While Moses is at work caring for his father-in-laws flocks, God reveals himself to Moses through a burning bush. The Angel of Jehovah appears in this Acacia bush without consuming it. This is the manifestation of Jehovah himself, and gives Moses a distinctive name to assist him in his mission before Pharaoh. God reveals himself as 'I am who I am'. God would reveal himself to Israel as he had never been seen before, the God who delivers or redeems. Exodus 3:14-15 God's presence is the great motivating factor for Moses to perform his mission. Aaron is sent as the spokes after Moses complains of his inability to speak. God hears the cries of his people.

Return to Egypt

Moses leaves Jethro's house at God's command and was given his mission of calling Pharaoh to release the Israelites. So Moses took his wife and sons and set out for Egypt. But Moses had failed to circumcise his young son before he left home and was reminded at an inn on the way that he had disobeyed God. Exodus 4:24-31 There is evidence also that his wife Zipporah objected to the procedure. But fearing for Moses' life Zipporah performed the circumcision herself and spared Moses's life. Genesis 17:13-14

Moses takes a detour to meet his brother Aaron at the mount of God. Moses had not seen his brother for forty years but God sent him to be his spokesman. Exodus 4:14-27 Aaron and Moses tell Israel all that the Lord had told them and they believed and worshipped God.

Third Forty Years

Moses before Pharaoh

Israel was under the bondage of Egypt for 430 years. Exodus 1 -7 Then God had fulfilled his promise to Abraham, Israel had become a great nation, and now it was time to fulfil the second part of the promise and provide a homeland. Moses enters into negotiations with Pharaoh for the release of God's people. But God hardened Pharaoh's heart.

God brings plaques upon Pharaoh's land and people which were not unknown in that country but were brought and removed at the word of Moses. They demonstrated the power of God over nature and designed to break the will of Pharaoh. The last plague was the destruction of the first-born and Pharaoh lost his own son. Exodus 11:9 The Passover was a reminder of the fact that salvation can only take place through the shedding of blood and sacrifice. For a moment Pharaoh permitted the people of Israel to leave.

The journey out of the land of Egypt has been called the Exodus coming from two words 'EX' meaning 'out of' and 'Hodos' meaning 'road'. It is the road out of Egypt or the departure. Exodus 12:30-36 Israel left with having taken their first-born as well as their wealth a sign of conquering a nation. The silver and gold which they took with them would be used to build the tabernacle in the wilderness.

Once the Israelites left Pharaoh had a change of mind and pursued them into the parted Red Sea where God closed the waters on the Egyptians and destroyed them.

God's Provision

Pillars

God provided pillars of cloud by day and pillars of fire by night Exodus 13:21 to serve as protection in times of danger as well as provide guidance on their journey. 1 Corinthians 10:1 God kept his promise of protecting his people by providing a visible manifestation to lead and comfort Israel. Numbers 9:15-23 The cloud is often connected to the ark as it came to rest over it. Exodus 16:10

Water

Israel travelled three days without finding water and then they came upon Marah where the water was bitter. Exodus 15:1 God directed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water to make it sweet and drinkable. As the People of God move on they come to Elim where there is plenty of water, with 12 well and 70 palm trees.

Manna

Between Elim and Sinai they ran out of food. Exodus 16:1 The word manna means 'what is it?' and the name is certainly appropriate because it is still not certain what it was. It was a small round lump that looked like coriander seed, white and sweet. It lay on the ground fresh each morning except the Sabbath and it did this for 40 years. God gave instructions to gather a extra amount the night before the Sabbath and this was the only day it would last overnight. This gives new meaning to the petition in the Lord's prayer where daily bread is to be prayed for. Matthew 6:11

Quail

Here in the journey to Sinai the people of Israel complain about the manna and grumble that they had all the meat they wanted to eat back in Egypt. God provides meat in the form of quail the first morning and manna in the evening. The quail only lasted this one day and it happened again a year latter, instead they lived on manna the rest of the journey.

Rephidim

Here there was no water and so God instructed Moses to strike the rock and provide water from the rock. The place was called Massah which means testing and Meribah meaning quarreling. Genesis 17

Amalekite Battle

This band of warriors had followed Israel from the dead sea attacking any who fell behind and now they attack Israel. Joshua is given the job of putting an army together and God gives them a miraculous victory. Moses raised his arms to God, which was the Old Testament posture of prayer and as long as his armies were raised Joshua prevailed. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses to hold his hands in the air until Israel was victorious. God taught them that victory was not in their own strength or ability but in trusting God. Exodus 17:6

Mt. Sinai

At Mt. Sinai God revealed himself to Moses and gave the People of Israel their laws. Now that Israel were redeemed out of the bondage of Slavery they needed to know how to live as a redeemed people. The laws God gave through Moses were not given to be kept for salvation but because they were saved. In Deuteronomy 5:22 it is stated that Moses and all the people heard the voice of God announcing to them the words of His law. God's finger inscribed the words of the law (Ten Commandments) on both sides of the two tablets of stone. Exodus 31:18; 32:15 The tablets were inscribed 40 days after the making of the covenant. God's covenant was again renewed with His people.

However when Moses descended Mt. Sinai and found the people of Israel worshipping Jehovah in the form of a golden calf, Moses took the tablets and threw them to the ground shattering them demonstrating what Israel had done with God's covenant. Moses interceded and God reaffirmed the covenant again and Moses recopied the laws on two fresh tablets. The tablets were preserved in the Ark of the Covenant. Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 10:5

The priesthood was established, offerings were reorganised, the law given, the tabernacle built and an organisation established at Jethro's suggestion. Before God's people began to move again a census was taken to organise the people and count the military men. Numbers 1 (603,550 military men with a total of 2,000,000 Israelites) This would take the rest of the book of Exodus and Leviticus to describe. Israel would stay here 11 months and 5 days.

For Further Study See Giving of the Law

Wilderness Wandering

Having been recommissioned and reorganised by God at Sinai the people are ready to move on toward Canaan. The cloud lifts and they set out for the Promised land. As they march there are 6 tribes leading, the levites carrying the ark and then the last 6 tribes. It was only an 11 day march to Kadesh Barnea but in that time the people of God began to complain again. God once again brought quail to feed the people. Miriam and Aaron confront Moses and 70 elders were appointed to help share the leadership with Moses. This may be the origins of the Sanhedrin.

Kadesh Barnea

At Kadesh Barnea, Israel sends in 12 spies to search out the land of Canaan. They come back and report how prosperous the land is but they disagree as to its conquest. Joshua and Caleb are the only two who say that with God's help it was possible to conquer the nations living there. Once again the people rebelled and this time God spoke of destroying the people but Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb interceded on behalf of the people and God forgave the people but they would still die in the wilderness and not see the promised land. Numbers 14 Sin, even forgiven sin, has consequences. The people of Israel wandered near Kadesh for 38 years until all who were older than 20 years of age when they rebelled died in the wilderness.

Leadership Challenged

Now there is a challenge to God's leadership. Korah, Dathan and Abiram along with 250 other Israelite men claim they are holy and that Moses is misleading them. In judgment God opened up the earth and swallowed all who rebelled and their families. The only exception was Korah's family who were spared. Apparently they did not share Korah's views. Fire also came from God and consumed the 250 men. When a plague had started in the rest of Israel Aaron interceded with an offering of Incense and a sacrifice and the plague stopped. Numbers 16

Aaron's leadership is confirmed by the budding rod, and God leads Israel toward the plains of Moab in preparation to enter the Promised land. But before they enter the account of Miriam's death is given in Numbers 20. Even Moses and Aaron's family must dies before they enter the land. The only people allowed to enter of the original group are Joshua and Caleb for they believed the Lord.

Moses Sins

As they approach the land of promise the people begin to grumble again because they had no water. In response Moses became impatient and struck the rock instead of commanding the rock to bring forth water as God had instructed. While Moses believed the Lord in entering the land he disobeyed God's instructions and for this reason was denied the right to enter the land also. Numbers 27:12-17 Aaron died on the way to Mt. Hor at the age of 123. Here again the people began to grumble again and this time God send poisonous snakes to bit the people so they would die. Moses intercedes once again and is told to make a bronze snake place it on the pole and all who look would live. Exodus 21:4,5 The illustration is clear that all who look to the one God placed on the cross would also live.

Because of Moses' sin he dies in loneliness on the mountain overlooking the promised land, and God buried him.

The best tribute to this great man of God is the words found in Deuteronomy 34:10-12 'And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.'