The Story Of Moses In the Bible

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Where in the Bible is the story of Moses?

Where Does the Story of Moses Begin In the Bible?

The story of Moses actually starts well before Moses. When you understand what was happening prior to Moses birth you’ll understand why the story of Moses is so important.

The Hebrews (later known as the people of Israel) were living in Egypt. Joseph had moved the people there when they were only a small family (seventy total). They were living in the land of Goshen with the blessing of both God and Pharaoh. Pharaoh provided for the people and God strengthened and multiplied them.

Years after Joseph’s death a new Pharaoh came into power. He was quick to note how quickly the people of Israel were multiplying and to put it frankly, it scared him.

… “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and go up out of the land.”
Exodus 1:19-10

So Egypt went from being a haven to being a place of heavy oppression. Still, God multiplied and strengthened them. This is where Moses story truly begins.

When Was Moses Born?

Moses was during one of the most terrifying times of Jewish history. See, when Egypt realized oppression wasn’t working, they made the burden of slavery even greater. When that didn’t work, they tried to decrease the strength and population of the people by killing the newborn baby boys. When that didn’t work (the midwives rebelled), Pharaoh commanded all his people

“…every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive…”
see Exodus 1:22

These were the conditions that Moses was born into. And it didn’t get any easier. Moses story is full of situations that would have most of us terrified. The people of Israel were desperate for a Deliver, someone to free them from oppression. Little did they know that through Moses, God would provide one.

Moses’ Childhood

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Moses’ childhood. We know that Moses was a Levite. Both his mother and father were from the tribe of Levi.

Learn more about Moses’ mother (Jochebed) in this article. She’s a rock-star mom is I ever heard of one. The first few months of Moses life he spent with his mom. When he became too big to hide from the Egyptians (who were still throwing baby boys into the Nile rive) she made an ark-type basket out of bulrushes, asphalt, and pitch; placed Moses in the basket, and placed the basket in the river.

He was found later by a daughter of Pharaoh. The Bible says she had compassion for him. Moses sister witnessed the whole thing. She even offered to fetch a nurse (her mother) to take care of Moses. So Moses got to spend his toddler years in his mother’s home, being raised as a Hebrew boy.

Eventually, Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and went to live with her in the palace. It was actually Pharoah’s daughter who gave Moses his name.

“… She called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
see Exodus 2:10

Scripture doesn’t tell us much about Moses’ relationship with his adopted mom, but we know this much,

“By faith, Moses when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…”
Hebrews 11:24-25

 

What Did Moses Do In the Bible?

The first time we see Moses take action in the Bible it is on the behalf of the people of Israel (though they didn’t see it that way.

Moses had been out walking. Scripture says, “he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens.” While he was out he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses decided he had to do something about it. When he saw that no one was looking he killed the Egyptian and hid the body.

Yes, the Bible actually does say he hid the body (see Exodus 2:12). What Moses didn’t know was that he had been seen. The Hebrews knew about what he did and they were not happy (that tells you a bit about their relationship dynamic).

When Pharoah found out, he tried to kill Moses (see Exodus 12:15). Obviously, the Pharaoh couldn’t allow this Hebrew boy to start an uprising now, could he?

So Moses left Egypt to live in Midian. And this is where Moses story gets really interesting.

Moses and the Burning Bush

Most of us have heard the story of Moses and the burning bush. It’s one of those most memorable portions of Moses story.

Moses had left Egypt. He was living in the land of Midianites (God-fearers and descendants of Abraham). He was happily (we assume) married and even had children (see Exodus 2:21-22).

This part of Moses story takes place near the mountain Horeb. Moses was walking through the desert tending his father-in-law’s sheep when he spotted “… a bush that was burning with fire but not consumed” (see Exodus 3:2). Out of curiosity, Moses went to investigate.

“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush saying, ‘Moses, Moses!’

And he replied, ‘Here I am.’

Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”
Exodus 3:4-5

In the moments following God would remind Moses of the suffering the people of Israel would endure. Moses would learn of his role in God’s plan to bring deliverance.

What can we learn from the story of Moses and the burning bush?

Two things caught my attention in the story of Moses and the burning bush.

1. How God use an ordinary moment to grab Moses’ attention and an abnormal way to present Himself.

In most church sermons we’re taught that God speaks only when we are actively praying, worshiping, and reading our Bibles. We’re told that we will recognize Him when shows up. Neither of those things was true for Moses.

God met with Moses while he was wandering and tending sheep. And Moses, though perplexed by the burning bush, didn’t immediately recognize that it was God he was seeing. He had never known God in that form before. God had to introduce himself to Moses, and when He did, Moses responded in fear (see Exodus 3:6).

Sometimes God shows up outside of the box we expected Him to appear in.

2. God’s response to Moses’ uncertainty.

When Moses asks, “who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (see Exodus 3:11) God didn’t respond with all the reasons why He chose Moses. He didn’t try to convince him of his strength. He didn’t even acknowledge Moses’ weaknesses. Instead, he replies, “I will certainly be with you.” (see Exodus 3:12)

It’s not always our strength that we’re relying on. Sometimes the victory comes for no other reason than the fact that when we step out in obedience God is with us.

It took some convincing, but Moses did accept that assignment God gave Him. God used Moses to work wonders, demonstrate miracles, and lead the people out of Egypt.

What Was Moses Job In the Bible

Moses’ job in the Bible was to be a spokesperson for God. The Bible describes Moses’ job like this,

“Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say.”
Exodus 4:12

Moses was super nervous about speaking before Pharaoh, so after some discussion, God settled on this,

“Is not Aaron the Levite your brother. I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.

And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall do the signs.”
Exodus 4:14-17

 

Together, Moses and Aaron led the people of Israel. 

This book tells the story of Israel’s deliverance from Aaron’s perspective! Ten out of ten recommend it! They do a really good job of portraying Aaron’s role in this portion of history.

What Miracles Did Moses Perform

Moses did many miracles in the Bible, all under the authority of God (remember, he was God’s spokesperson). The first miracles Moses performed were for the people of Israel.

“He spoke to them and did the signs in the sight of the people.”
Exodus 4:30

Moses was permitted to show the people three signs.

1. Turn the rod (or staff) in his hand into a serpent. When he reached out to grab it, it turned back into a staff (see Exodus 4:2-5).

2. Cause leprosy to appear on his hands.“… he put his hand in his bosom and when he took it out, behold his hand was leprous like snow.” (see Exodus 4:6-7). He dipped his hand into his bosom again and the leprosy was gone.

3. Turn water from the river into blood on dry land (see Exodus 4:8-9).

Scripture doesn’t say how many of these signs were performed before the people of Israel believed Moses had heard from God. It could have been one, but it also could have been all three. But we do know these three miracles were permitted.

Moses also performed miracles in front of Pharaoh.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying, “When Pharaoh speaks to you saying, ‘show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh and let it become a serpent.”
Exodus 7:9

As miraculous as this was, it didn’t grab the heart of Pharaoh. The wise men and sorcerers on his were able to conjure up serpents of their own. This only emboldened Pharoah’s stubbornness and feelings of superiority. It doesn’t seem they paid much attention to the fact that Aaron’s rod swallowed up every serpent the sorcerers conjured up. Even in that instance, God showed His sovereignty over the sorcerers and wise men of Egypt. At the same time, He foreshadowed what was to come. In the end, the rulers of Egypt certainly were swallowed up.

In Exodus chapter 15 Moses performed the miracle of turning bitter water sweet.
In Exodus chapter 17 Moses performs the miracle of releasing water from a rock.
In the same chapter (Exodus 17) Moses and the Israelites miraculously win the battle with the Amalekites.

Moses and the Read Sea Miracle

In Exodus chapters 14 and 15 we read about Moses and the miracle of the Red Sea. After 10 harsh plagues, the last one being a very personal blow to Pharaoh (the death of the firstborn), the Israelites were finally released from the rule of the Egyptians. It didn’t take long before Pharaoh regretted his decision. When he realized that Egypt had lost its wealth and power and was in no condition to rebuild on its own he was furious. In his pride, he went after the Israelites. He found them at the shore of the Red Sea.

The people thought for sure they were about to be captured. In their fear, they cried out to Moses. Moses cried out to God. God responded,

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.’ ”
Exodus 14:15-16

Moses obeyed, and it happened just like God said it would. When the people of Israel were all the way across, God closed the Red Sea and the ocean swallowed up every Egyptian inside of it (see Exodus 14:3-31).

Characteristics of Moses In the Bible

It’s really easy to take stories like the life story of Moses in the Bible and turn the hero into someone that he wasn’t. The incredible thing about Moses was that he said yes to God. God did a lot with that, “yes.” Just like He can do a lot with your “yes.”

How does the Bible describe Moses?

What were Moses strengths?

Moses was timid. With God, he acted boldly.
He was insecure in his own ability, but he was confident in God’s.
Moses was both passionate, and impulsive (see the striking the rock story).
He often complained (let’s be real – leading a nation can be burdensome), but he also was a strong advocate.

What made him a good prophet was His commitment to following the leadership of God. None of his weaknesses kept him from being a vessel that the Lord could use.

What Does the Call of Moses Teach Us About God?

The life story of Moses in the Bible shows us how God uses ordinary people to advance His kingdom. That’s why Moses is important. Moses story is a picture of what it looks like for an ordinary person to partner with the Lord.
We may not all become profits, but we all have a role to play in introducing people to the God of deliverance.

Moses story is also a great example of what it looks like to “store up our treasures in heaven.” (see Matthew 6:19-21

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured seeing Him who is invisible.”
Hebrews 11:27

Moses literally gave up riches knowing that it would put him in a position of suffering, just like the Hebrews he was born from. He chose God anyway. It reminds me of Jesus’ words,

…In this world you will have troubles, but take heart. I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

What Does the Book Of Exodus Teach Us?

In a book I was studying recently the author wrote,

“God often chooses people knowing that they are key to touching other peoples lives. You were chosen because God loves you, but make no mistake, you are uniquely positioned in this world because of the cries of other people…”
– Hosting the Presence: Unveiling Heaven’s Agenda

That was Moses story. If we’ll say yes to God, it’ll become ours too. That’s the lesson we learn from the book of Exodus.

Not only does God raise up delivers from the most ordinary of us, but He IS also the eternal deliverer for all of us.

How Did Moses Die?

Moses died in the presence of the Lord on Mount Nebo, just outside of the Promised land (see Deuteronomy 34:1). He was 120 years old when he died. The Bible doesn’t say how Moses died. Some assume old age but Scripture doesn’t hint at anything like that. No signs of his body wearing out. No signs of sickness or disease. I believe God simply took Him.

Did Moses go to heaven?

Moses died just outside of the promised land. God allowed him to see it from the top of Mount Nebo, but he was not permitted to enter.

Many ask the question, did Moses go to heaven? According to all the gospel accounts in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) yes, Moses is in heaven. Let’s look together at Matthew 17.

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”
Matthew 17:1-3

Here Jesus is actually having a conversation with Moses and Elijah. The other three gospel accounts record thethat  same thing. That tells us, Moses is alive and well and in the presence of the God of Israel – in heaven.

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