Topical Encyclopedia Moses, one of the most pivotal figures in the Hebrew Bible, is renowned for his role as the divinely appointed leader who guided the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. His commissioning as leader is a significant event that marks the beginning of the Exodus narrative, a foundational account in the history of Israel.Background and Early Life Moses was born during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed to curb the growing population of the Israelites (Exodus 1:22). Rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses was raised in the Egyptian royal household, yet he retained a connection to his Hebrew heritage. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he lived as a shepherd and married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:11-22). The Divine Encounter at the Burning Bush Moses' commissioning as leader occurs in the wilderness of Sinai, where he encounters God in the form of a burning bush that is not consumed by the flames. This theophany is recorded in Exodus 3. God calls to Moses from the bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" and instructs him to remove his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:4-5). God reveals His plan to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey. He appoints Moses as the leader to accomplish this task, saying, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10). Moses' Reluctance and God's Assurance Moses expresses reluctance and doubt about his ability to lead the Israelites. He questions his own worthiness and fears that the Israelites will not believe that God has sent him. In response, God provides several assurances. He promises His presence, saying, "I will surely be with you" (Exodus 3:12). God also reveals His name, "I AM WHO I AM," to Moses, establishing His eternal and self-existent nature (Exodus 3:14). To further reassure Moses, God provides signs to demonstrate His power: the transformation of Moses' staff into a serpent, the affliction and healing of Moses' hand with leprosy, and the turning of water from the Nile into blood (Exodus 4:1-9). Despite these signs, Moses continues to express his inadequacies, particularly his lack of eloquence. God responds by appointing Aaron, Moses' brother, as his spokesperson, saying, "I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do" (Exodus 4:15). The Return to Egypt With divine assurance and the support of Aaron, Moses returns to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. He carries the staff of God, a symbol of divine authority and power. Upon arrival, Moses and Aaron gather the elders of Israel and perform the signs God had given them. The people believe and worship, recognizing that God has seen their affliction and is concerned for them (Exodus 4:29-31). Moses' commissioning as leader marks the beginning of a series of confrontations with Pharaoh, culminating in the Exodus, where Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. His leadership, characterized by faithfulness to God's commands and intercession for the people, establishes him as a central figure in the narrative of Israel's deliverance and covenant relationship with God. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 3:10-22Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 6:13 Library The Faith of Moses. The First Kings. In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ... The First vision "On Earth" An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists. The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency Resources In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Moses have to wear a veil? | GotQuestions.org How old was Moses when he died? How long did Moses live? | GotQuestions.org Moses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus 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 Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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