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| Moses
was born in Egypt in about the 1300's B.C. He was the descendent of Hebrew
Slaves who migrated into Egypt a hundred years earlier.
At the time of Moses's birth, the Pharaoh had ordered all baby boys to be killed. Moses's mother saved him by putting him in a basket and sending him down the Nile River. The Pharaoh's daughter found him and raised him. As an adult, Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He was angry and killed the Egyptian. He had to flee to the desert to escape his father's wrath. While living there he met a young girl, Zipporah, and married her. They had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Moises settled in the land of Midian and lived as a shepard. One day, God spoke from a burning bush in the desert. He commanded Moses to return to Egypt and and lead the Hebrews to the Promised Land. Moses argued that the task was too difficult, however Moses eventually agreed. Moses returned to Egypt and met with the Pharaoh. he told the pharaoh to let his people go, but the Pharaoh refused. Then, according to the Bible, the Egyptianbs were afflicted with nine terrible plagues. But after each one the Pharaoh still refused to let the Hebrews leave. The last and most terrible plague killed the Pharaoh's oldest son and all first-born Egyptian sons. But the Hebrews remained unharmed. Finally, the Pharaoh agreed to let the Hebrews go. The Pharaoh soon regrtetted leting so many slaves leave that he ordered his army to bring them back. God lead the Hebrews to a body of water and commanded Moses to lift a rod and stretch his over to divide the waters. The parting of the waters enabled his people to cross safely. The Egyptians soldiers tried to follow but the drowned. Moses led the Hebrews into the desert. They journeyed to Mount Sinai where they entered into an agreement with God. The agreement promised that they would live under God's eternal love and protection. In exchange, they would be ruled by God and obey his laws. According to the Bible, Moses recieved the Ten Commandments and other laws on Mount Sinia.The laws refined the Israelites' relationship with one another and with God. While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments the Isrealites became impatient. they wanted a god that they could see. As a result, the Isrealites built a golden calf and started to worship it. The Isrealites believed that the golden calf represented the god that led them out of Egypt. After Moses came down the mountain, he found the Israelites dancing around the idol. He became so inraged that he smashed the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments had been inscribed. Many Israelites died soon after, and the people believed the deaths were a punishment for their sins. Moses, later carved another sent of stone tablets. After that, Moses arranged the Isrealites religious activities. It mostly centered around a movable structure called a Tabernacle. The Tabernacle served as an official meeting place for God and his people. The people reastablished the old Hebrew Holidays as national celebrations. The sprintime holiday Passover, celebrates the Israelites escape from Egypt. The Israelites have been reported to have spent 40 years wandering in the desert between Egypt and Canaan. They lived under harsh conditions and often complained to Moses. The people because impatient and frustrated, challenging Moses as a religious and political leader. In addition they questioned their faith in God. Moses often asked for God's help to care for his people. He frequently obtained food and water for the Israelites under God's directions. Throughout their long wandering in the desert, Moses served as a link between God and the Israelites. Hostile tribes attacked the Israelites many times in the desert, but Moses always led his people to victory. He also forsaw the many difficulties the Israelites would face in Canaan. when the Israelites reached Canaan, God allowed Moses to see the new land but not to enter it. According to the Bible, Moses did not cross the Jordan river into Canaan because he had not followed one of God's instructions. God had told Moses to obtain water for the Israelites by speaking to a rock. Water would then flow from the rock. But instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck it. Since God would not allow Moses to enter Canaan, Joshua, a assistant to Moses, led the people into Canaan. Moses died in God's favor at an advanced year. it is believed, that God buried Moses on Mount Nebo in the desert. |