Holy Boldness: Moses
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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is often celebrated for his holy boldness—a divinely inspired courage that enabled him to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and toward the Promised Land. This boldness is not merely a natural trait but a spiritual quality that emerges from his deep relationship with God.

Early Life and Calling

Moses' journey to holy boldness begins with his unique upbringing. Born to Hebrew parents during a time of severe oppression, he was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and raised in the Egyptian royal household (Exodus 2:1-10). Despite his privileged position, Moses' heart remained with his people. His first act of boldness is seen when he defends a Hebrew slave by killing an Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:11-12). This act, though impulsive, foreshadows his future role as a deliverer.

Moses' true calling is revealed at the burning bush, where God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). Initially hesitant and aware of his own limitations, Moses questions his ability to fulfill such a monumental task. However, God reassures him, saying, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). This divine assurance is the foundation of Moses' holy boldness.

Confrontation with Pharaoh

Moses' boldness is most evident in his confrontations with Pharaoh. Armed with God's promises and accompanied by his brother Aaron, Moses demands the release of the Israelites: "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness'" (Exodus 5:1). Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart and the increasing severity of the plagues, Moses remains steadfast, demonstrating a boldness rooted in faith and obedience to God's commands.

Leadership in the Wilderness

Moses' leadership during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness further exemplifies his holy boldness. Faced with numerous challenges, including the people's frequent complaints and rebellions, Moses consistently intercedes on their behalf. His boldness is particularly evident when he pleads with God to spare the Israelites after the incident of the golden calf, arguing, "Turn from Your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on Your people" (Exodus 32:12). Here, Moses' boldness is intertwined with his deep compassion and commitment to his people.

Receiving the Law

Another significant moment of holy boldness occurs when Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the Law. In the presence of God's overwhelming holiness, Moses remains undeterred, spending forty days and nights in communion with God (Exodus 24:18). This boldness is not a reckless disregard for God's majesty but a profound reverence and willingness to stand in His presence for the sake of the people.

Intercession and Advocacy

Moses' role as an intercessor is a testament to his holy boldness. He frequently advocates for the Israelites, even when their actions warrant divine judgment. In Numbers 14, when God considers destroying the Israelites for their lack of faith, Moses boldly appeals to God's character, saying, "In accordance with Your great loving devotion, please forgive the iniquity of this people, just as You have pardoned them from Egypt until now" (Numbers 14:19). His intercession reflects a boldness that is both humble and persistent.

Legacy of Boldness

Moses' holy boldness leaves a lasting legacy, serving as a model for future leaders and believers. His life demonstrates that true boldness is not self-derived but is a gift from God, cultivated through faith, obedience, and a deep relationship with the Divine. Moses' boldness is a testament to the power of God's presence and the transformative impact of His calling on an individual's life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 32:31,32
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 33:18
And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Preacher's Cry --Pray for Us!
... And Joshua, too, the successor of Moses, and a man seemingly courageous, must ... be
delivered from the fear of man, and blessed with holy boldness in preaching ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/x the preachers crypray for.htm

Thessalonica
... brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken." And Moses assured the ... As with
holy boldness Paul proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue at Thessalonica, a ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

"It is I, be not Afraid. " Extracted from Knox's Admonition to ...
... same wrought so mightily in the heart of Moses, that not ... but also he was inflamed
with such boldness, that without ... that you, knowing this of the holy word, and ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /it is i be not.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... Like Moses, Phinehas, and Elijah, "his spirit was stirred within him when he saw
the city ... And he did what he did with holy wisdom as well as holy boldness. ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

On the Holy Martyr, S. Babylas.
... [385] But the great Moses did not ... blessed, that ye have shown much zeal about this
holy man. ... dignity, and for the sake of religion shewed forth equal boldness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/on the holy martyr s.htm

Prevailing Prayer.
... he was unable to deny any thing to such importunity, and so Moses stood in ... wrought
up to such a pitch of importunity and such a holy boldness, that afterwards ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iv prevailing prayer.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Intercession of Moses, power of, [586]529 ... 613]224; answer of, to his wife, [614]224;
holy Job, [615 ... John the Baptist, a burning light, [617]622; boldness of, [618 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... 1. The figurative Baptism of Israel by Moses in the ... For the Holy Day of the Lights,
to which we ... these same people both honour effeminacy, and worship boldness. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret
... Chapter XVII.--Of the boldness of speech of the ... Chapter XVI.--Of the holy Basilius,
Bishop of C??sarea, and ... the Saracens, and the ordination of Moses the monk. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/

Letter xiv. --(For 342. ) Coss. Augustus Constantius iii, Constans ...
... as great Moses, when administering the holy laws, exacted a ... It was nothing but the
boldness and authority of ... Moses, for instance, A prophet will the Lord raise ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiv for 342 coss augustus.htm

Resources
What is the importance and value of group prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Is there evidence that God answers prayer? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say that would apply to selfie culture? | GotQuestions.org

Boldness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Boldness

Boldness of the Righteous

Boldness: Instances of, in Prayer: Abraham

Boldness: Instances of, in Prayer: Moses

Holy Boldness is Through Faith in Christ

Holy Boldness: A Characteristic of Saints

Holy Boldness: Aaron

Holy Boldness: Abraham

Holy Boldness: Apollos

Holy Boldness: Barnabas

Holy Boldness: Christ Set an Example of

Holy Boldness: Daniel

Holy Boldness: David

Holy Boldness: Elijah

Holy Boldness: Exhortations To

Holy Boldness: Express Your Trust in God With

Holy Boldness: Have, in Prayer

Holy Boldness: Jacob

Holy Boldness: Joseph of Arimathaea

Holy Boldness: Ministers should Exhibit, in Faithfulness to Their People

Holy Boldness: Ministers should Exhibit, in Preaching

Holy Boldness: Ministers should Exhibit, in Reproving Sin

Holy Boldness: Ministers should Exhibit, in The Face of Opposition

Holy Boldness: Moses

Holy Boldness: Nehemiah

Holy Boldness: Paul

Holy Boldness: Peter and John

Holy Boldness: Pray For

Holy Boldness: Produced by Faithfulness to God

Holy Boldness: Produced by The Fear of God

Holy Boldness: Produced by Trust in God

Holy Boldness: Saints Shall Have, in Judgment

Holy Boldness: Shadrach

Holy Boldness: Stephen

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Holy Boldness: Ministers should Exhibit, in The Face of Opposition
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