Moses
Lawgiver, Prophet of YHWH
c. 1400 BC
Led Israel out of Egypt, received the Law on Sinai, shepherded the people 40 years in the wilderness.
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14Talk with Moses
The story of Moses
Moses stands as the preeminent prophet, leader, and lawgiver in the history of Israel, chosen by God to liberate the Hebrew people from centuries of slavery in Egypt. Born into a time when Pharaoh had ordered the death of all male Hebrew infants, he was miraculously saved when his mother placed him in a basket on the Nile. Discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, he was raised in the royal palace, receiving an elite education while remaining aware of his true heritage.
After spending forty years as a shepherd in the land of Midian following his flight from Egypt, Moses encountered God in a bush that burned but was not consumed. This divine encounter at Mount Horeb transformed his life, as he was sent back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh and demand freedom for the Israelites. Through a series of ten devastating plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, he led the people toward the mountain where God would establish a covenant with them.
At Mount Sinai, Moses received the Ten Commandments and the detailed laws that would govern the nation's spiritual and social life. He spent the next forty years guiding the Israelites through the wilderness, acting as a mediator who pleaded for God's mercy when the people were rebellious. Although he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land himself due to a moment of disobedience, he viewed it from Mount Nebo before his death, leaving a legacy of faithfulness and law.
Key passages
Exodus 3:1–15
Moses hears the voice of God from a burning bush and receives his commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Exodus 14:13–31
The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, where God delivers His people from the pursuing Egyptian army.
Exodus 20:1–17
The presentation of the Ten Commandments, which formed the ethical and spiritual foundation of the Israelite community.
Deuteronomy 34:1–12
The final moments of Moses' life, his view of the Promised Land, and the tribute to his unique relationship with God.
Key books
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Questions you can ask
- “What was the burning bush like?”
- “Why did you strike the rock?”
- “Tell me about Mount Sinai”
Common questions
Who wrote the first five books of the Bible?
Tradition identifies Moses as the author of the Torah, though scholars suggest the text reached its final form through a process of inspired compilation over many centuries.
Why was Moses not permitted to enter the Promised Land?
The book of Numbers records that Moses struck a rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as God commanded, failing to honor God's holiness before the people.
What does the Passover commemorate?
It remembers the night God spared the firstborn of the Israelites in Egypt, leading to their final release from slavery and their journey toward freedom.