Moses

Moses is one of the most pivotal figures in the Bible, revered as the great lawgiver and leader of the Israelites. His life and ministry are primarily chronicled in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Born during a time of severe oppression for the Israelites in Egypt, Moses was providentially saved from Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants. Raised in Pharaoh's household, he later fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-15).

God called Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:1-10). Through Moses, God performed miraculous signs and wonders, including the ten plagues, culminating in the Passover and the Exodus. Moses is also central to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). The Berean Standard Bible records, "And God spoke all these words: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery'" (Exodus 20:1-2).

Moses' leadership extended through the wilderness wanderings, where he interceded for the people, provided guidance, and established the covenantal laws that would govern Israelite society. Despite his faithfulness, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land due to an act of disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). He died on Mount Nebo, having viewed the land from a distance (Deuteronomy 34:1-5).

The Prophets

The prophets of the Old Testament were divinely appointed messengers who conveyed God's word to His people. Their roles included calling Israel to repentance, warning of impending judgment, and offering hope through promises of restoration and future redemption. The prophetic books are traditionally divided into the Major Prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel—and the Minor Prophets, which include twelve shorter books from Hosea to Malachi.

Isaiah, often called the "Prince of Prophets," prophesied during the reigns of several Judean kings, emphasizing themes of judgment and salvation. His prophecies include the foretelling of the Messiah, as seen in passages like Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders" .

Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," ministered during the final years of Judah before the Babylonian exile. He warned of Jerusalem's destruction and called for repentance, yet also spoke of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

Ezekiel, a contemporary of Jeremiah, prophesied to the exiles in Babylon, using vivid imagery and symbolic acts to convey God's messages. His visions include the valley of dry bones, symbolizing Israel's restoration (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Daniel, though primarily a narrative book, contains apocalyptic visions that reveal God's sovereignty over history and future events. His faithfulness in exile serves as an example of steadfast devotion to God.

The Minor Prophets, though shorter in length, address significant themes such as social justice, divine judgment, and the hope of messianic deliverance. For instance, Micah 6:8 encapsulates the prophetic call to ethical living: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" .

Together, Moses and the prophets form a foundational part of the biblical narrative, pointing to God's covenantal relationship with His people and foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).