Topical Encyclopedia Moses, the great prophet and leader of Israel, is a central figure in the narrative of God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event is pivotal in the history of Israel and is recounted in various parts of the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Moses' recounting of God's deliverance serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, power, and covenantal promises to His people.The Exodus from Egypt The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt is one of the most significant events in the Old Testament. Moses, chosen by God, confronts Pharaoh with the demand to let the Israelites go, as recorded in Exodus 5:1: "Afterward, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'" Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart, God demonstrates His power through a series of ten plagues, culminating in the Passover and the death of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12). The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea is another testament to God's deliverance. In Exodus 14:21-22, it is written, "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. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." This event not only signifies physical deliverance but also spiritual salvation, as the Israelites are set free from the bondage of slavery. The Wilderness Journey Throughout the wilderness journey, Moses continually reminds the Israelites of God's deliverance and provision. In Deuteronomy 8:2-4, Moses recounts, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, reminding the Israelites of the covenant established at Mount Sinai. The giving of the Law, including the Ten Commandments, is a crucial aspect of God's deliverance, providing a framework for the Israelites to live as His chosen people. The Covenant Renewal As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses reiterates God's deliverance and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 29:2-3, Moses addresses the Israelites, saying, "You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land. With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders." Moses' recounting serves as a call to remember and obey the LORD, emphasizing that the blessings of the covenant are contingent upon their faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Moses declares, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Moses' recounting of God's deliverance is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, grace, and the importance of covenantal faithfulness. Through Moses, God not only delivered His people from physical bondage but also established a spiritual legacy that would point to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ. Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People Moses: Character of Called the Man of God Moses: Character of Complainings of Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend Moses: Character of Impatience of Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad Moses: Character of Magnified of God Moses: Character of Meekness of Moses: Character of Obedience of Moses: Character of Respected and Feared Moses: Character of Unaspiring Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision Moses: His Loyalty to his Race Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored Moses: Institutes a System of Government Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses Related Terms |