September Bible Study

Moses leading the people out of Egypt

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“Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14, NIV). It was just one sentence, but the implications were devastating for Moses. After murdering an Egyptian taskmaster who was mistreating a Hebrew slave and secretly burying the body in the sand, Moses had assumed that his impulsive behaviour would go unnoticed. Instead, it became a game- changer. That God should subsequently choose a wanted felon to carry out his plans is a point that should give us all pause for thought.

Moses is a towering figure in the Biblical narrative. Indeed, he is often portrayed as having such unwavering faith that he could carry out God’s instructions without question. His achievements as described in the book of Exodus are certainly impressive. He confronts Pharaoh, establishes himself as a respected authority figure among his people, leads the Israelites out of slavery, parts the Red Sea, resolves internal disputes, and receives the Ten Commandments.

Identity Crisis
Yet a careful reading of Exodus reveals that this is only half the story. Well-educated and enjoying a privileged life in Pharaoh’s household, Moses may have suffered from conflicting loyalties in his youth. Despite being raised by his Hebrew mother, Biblical scholars debate the extent to which Moses was aware of his Hebrew ancestry as a teenager.

Whatever the case, the identity crisis came to a head when he tried intervening in a dispute between two Hebrews. “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” One of them asks before revealing that he is also aware of the previous murder. This rejection and the realisation that his dark secret had become common knowledge leave Moses with little choice. He flees Egypt and begins life as a fugitive.

That said, we can identify many aspects of Moses’ life. Despite the evidence of God’s presence, as illustrated in the burning-bush incident, Moses struggles with self-doubt regarding his ability to fulfil his divine calling. He begins to give excuses: “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10).

As a concession, God allows Moses’ brother Aaron to be his spokesman. But Moses soon learns that his leadership effectiveness is not contingent upon his abilities. Rather, it depends upon God’s guidance and presence. Not surprisingly, we soon see Moses increasingly taking on a more active role in speaking directly to Pharaoh and the Israelites.

Shaping a Nation 
As the Exodus story progresses, Moses undergoes a profound transformation. He develops into a steadfast and visionary prophet from a reluctant and flawed leader. In the Bible, Moses is the most prominent example of a prophet who leads a fledgling nation. Others (including Joshua, David, and Samuel) played significant leadership roles. Still, Moses was the only one whose job was to consciously shape the new nation, giving the people laws and religious institutions designed to stand the test of time.

What Moses did not do in some respects is perhaps just as important as what he did. In an age where hereditary kings ruled nations, Moses did not attempt to acquire such a title. Nor did he try to appoint one of his family members to succeed him. Moses was from the tribe of Levi, while Joshua (his assistant and eventual successor) was from the tribe of Ephraim.

Imperfections
But Moses was far from perfect, even at the height of his service to God. Take anger management. Moses reacted furiously when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf in his absence, breaking the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This character flaw also prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock to get water. But Moses, angered by the Israelites’ constant complaints, hit the rock twice with his staff instead. Water did come out, but God was displeased with Moses’ disobedience. As a result, he was only allowed to view the Promised Land from a distance (Deuteronomy 32:51-52).

Moses began his journey with God as a felon and ended it as a liberator. But we should also remember that God chose him despite his weaknesses. Of course, personality failings need to be addressed, but Moses’ life illustrates that God’s grace and strength are available to all of us, regardless of our imperfections.

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Let us search our hearts:

• Do you give excuses when God asks you to do something?
• The greatest weakness of Moses was not his faith but his quick temper. What is yours?
• What lessons about leadership can we draw from the life of Moses?

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