Moses was born during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh had ordered that all newborn Hebrew boys be thrown into the Nile River, fearing the growth of the Hebrew population. However, Moses’ mother, determined to protect him, hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket made of reeds on the Nile. Providentially, Pharaoh’s daughter found the child and decided to raise him as her own, naming him Moses, which means “drawn out of the waters.”
Moses grew up in the Egyptian royal court, educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, yet he never forgot his Hebrew roots thanks to the influence of his biological mother, who had been hired as his nurse. Although he was raised as an Egyptian prince, Moses always felt a special connection with his Hebrew people.
One day, after witnessing the injustice of an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses intervened and killed the aggressor. Fearing for his life, he fled into the desert of Midian, where he lived for forty years as a shepherd. In Midian, he married Zipporah, the daughter of the priest of Midian, and had two sons. During these years of voluntary exile, Moses experienced a deep spiritual transformation while tending the sheep in the wilderness.
One day, while Moses was tending the flock on Mount Horeb (also known as Sinai), God appeared to him in a burning bush that was not consumed by the flames. From the bush, God called Moses to be the leader who would bring the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. Moses, initially reluctant due to his lack of eloquence and fear of rejection, finally accepted God’s call after He assured him of His presence and provided miraculous signs as proof of His power.
With the support of his brother Aaron, Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of his people. This confrontation unleashed a series of ten plagues upon Egypt, demonstrating God’s power and intervention on behalf of the Israelites. These plagues—including the Nile turning to blood and the death of the firstborn—finally convinced Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave.
Moses then led the Israelites through the Red Sea, which miraculously parted before them and then closed over the pursuing Egyptian army, once again demonstrating God’s supernatural intervention in their favor. For the next forty years, Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, facing constant challenges such as lack of food and water, as well as internal rebellions.
On Mount Sinai, Moses received the tablets of the Law, which included the Ten Commandments, forming the foundation of the covenant between God and His people. During this time, God also provided manna from heaven and water from a rock to sustain His people, continually confirming His power and faithfulness.
Despite his leadership and dedication, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land due to a failure committed during the journey in the desert. Instead, God allowed him to see the land from Mount Nebo before he died at the age of 120. Moses passed away, but his legacy endured as Israel’s great liberator and lawgiver. He was the mediator between God and His people, a prophet unlike any other according to the Bible, and his life and work are remembered to this day as an example of faith, obedience, and devotion to God.
The 1956 film The Ten Commandments is a classic of epic and religious cinema that narrates the story of Moses according to the biblical accounts of Exodus. Charlton Heston stars in the role of Moses, capturing the character’s intensity and determination with a memorable performance. The film stands out for its visual grandeur and lasting cultural impact, remaining an iconic representation of the biblical story and its universal values.
By the way, the animated film The Prince of Egypt is excellent, and its memorable song Deliver Us has remained in the minds of many people, which is why it is often searched for on YouTube.
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