Who was Moses?

Moses, whose name means 'drawn out' in Hebrew (Exodus 2:10), is one of the most pivotal figures in the history of Israel and indeed in all of redemptive history. His narrative begins in Egypt, where he was born during a time when Pharaoh had decreed the killing of all male Hebrew infants. Miraculously preserved, he was drawn from the Nile by Pharaoh's daughter and raised in the royal court, yet he retained an awareness of his Israelite heritage. After killing an Egyptian taskmaster in defense of a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he lived as a shepherd for forty years. It was there, at Mount Horeb (Sinai), that God appeared to him in a burning bush and called him to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt. This divine encounter marked the beginning of his prophetic and mediatorial mission. As the divinely appointed liberator, Moses confronted Pharaoh, bringing ten plagues upon Egypt until Pharaoh relented and allowed the Israelites to depart. This event, known as the Exodus, is the foundational salvific act in the Old Testament, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. Moses then led the Israelites through the Red Sea and into the wilderness, where he received the Law (Torah) from God on Mount Sinai, establishing the covenant between Yahweh and Israel. He served as the primary instrument through whom God communicated His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, shaping Israel into a distinct nation. Moses interceded for the people numerous times, guided them through forty years of wandering, and prepared them to enter the Promised Land, though he himself was not permitted to enter due to his disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). His life culminates with a final series of sermons recorded in Deuteronomy, reminding Israel of God's faithfulness and calling them to obedience before his death on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:5-7). Moses is celebrated throughout Scripture as a prophet 'whom Yahweh knew face to face' (Deuteronomy 34:10), foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate prophet and mediator.

The life of Moses is traditionally set during the Late Bronze Age (approximately 1550-1200 BCE), specifically within Egypt's New Kingdom period, particularly during the 19th Dynasty. This era was characterized by powerful pharaohs, massive architectural projects, and an imperialistic expansion that utilized forced labor, including foreign populations like the Israelites. Archaeological evidence from this period, such as the Merneptah Stele (circa 1208 BCE), confirms the presence of an entity called 'Israel' in Canaan, albeit after the traditional Exodus date. The culture of the time was polytheistic, with the pharaoh often regarded as a divine king, which makes Moses' confrontation with Pharaoh a profound theological and political challenge. The nomadic lifestyle described for the Israelites in the Sinai wilderness aligns with archaeological understanding of pastoralist groups traversing the region. The legal and cultic structures established through Moses bear resemblances, as well as distinct differences, to other ancient Near Eastern legal codes (e.g., Code of Hammurabi), underscoring both the shared cultural milieu and the unique divine revelation received by Israel.

Moses stands as a foundational theological figure, embodying the roles of prophet, priest (in his mediatorial capacity), and king (as leader of Israel), all of which foreshadow the ultimate Christ. He is the unique prophet who spoke 'face to face' with God, revealing God's character, will, and covenant to His people. His deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the Exodus is a type of spiritual salvation, pointing to Christ's redemption from sin. The Law given through Moses established God's moral requirements and highlighted humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill them, thus preparing the way for the New Covenant established by Jesus. Moses' intercession for Israel also prefigures Christ's role as our great High Priest and advocate, constantly interceding for His people.