The Life of Moses: Knowledge or Character?

I have always been fascinated by the biography of highly successful people, especially people who are used by God. The road and detours they take and the tough times they endure give me motivation and courage to make tough decisions or to hold on during a dark time.

Often when we think of Moses, we either see a baby in a basket or a great leader leading God’s people to the promised land. Both are correct, but how did he get from the one to the other? Was it his education, talents, character, or perhaps something else?

A prophesy prepares the path

The story of Moses started much earlier than most of us realize; it started with a prophecy.

Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Genesis 15:13-16).

By the time Moses was born, most of this prophecy had come to fulfillment. Abraham’s descendants were indeed strangers in a country; they were enslaved and mistreated daily. According to the promise, the time of deliverance should be close. Surely, Moses’ generation would see the delivery of Israel. There was only one problem: Moses’ generation was being annihilated by Pharoah.

Moses’ mother hid him from the authorities for the first three months of his life. However, as he grew older, she had to let him go. Pharoah’s daughter found him and appointed Moses’ biological mother to nurse him. When Moses was older, most likely two to three years old, she took him to Pharoah’s daughter, who then adopted him as her own. (Exodus 2: 9-10).

Moses, a prince

Moses was then raised as part of the royal family, and as such he was also “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). The typical curriculum of that time would have included subjects like mathematics, history, geography, music, and medicine. He also would have received instruction in Egyptian religion, practices, doctrines, and governmental duties. Moses grew up to become “mighty in his words and deeds” (Acts 7:22).

The most significant action recorded by historians of Moses during his earlier years was the military campaign against the Ethiopians (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 2, Chapter 10). In this campaign, he outwitted and surprised the Ethiopians with his unconventional tactics and managed to completely subdue the invasion.

I found this point in Moses’ life to be significant as Moses had everything—the education, the position and even a prophecy (dream)—needed to deliver Israel from the hand of the oppressor. It is here that many people would launch their careers, their calling, their dream. But something was missing. There was no “GO”.

Is it time?

Forcing the issue, Moses started to get restless. He refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Hebrews 11:24). He refused to accept the status quo (Hebrews 11:25). His actions escalated to the point that one day, he killed an Egyptian man.

He knew his actions were wrong as he tried to conceal it, however the very next day, two Israelites confronted him with the truth. They asked Moses, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?” (Exodus 2:14). As we read in Acts, “He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” (Acts 7:25).

In that instance, Moses realized that his “go” was not the “GO,” and everything he had worked for, everything he knew, everything he was entitled to, even the dream, all were lost. At the age of 40, Moses had to retreat, leave everything behind as he fled into the wilderness. His ambition, his dream—all lost.

Moses, a shepherd

I am sure that Moses spent many nights looking at the stars wondering where everything went wrong. Was it really one thing, or was it several things that culminated in one thing? It is during this time that Moses met Jethro, the priest of Midian; Moses shepherded his flock, married one of his daughters, and started a family. The dream of deliverance was completely forgotten.

But as is so often the case, God does some of his best work when we are down and out. The time had come to shape Moses’ character. As he was tending the sheep and learning the ways of the wilderness, he was also learning to trust in God and observe his father-in-law, learning humility, meekness, faith, and trust—all of which drew him closer to God.

Moses learned the sound of God’s voice, the same voice that called him from the burning bush. This allowed him to answer, “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4).

Forged in two fires

I believe that the successful Moses we know were forged in two fires, each taking 40 years. These were the fire of worldly education and the fire of godly education. I believe that both fires were needed for him to fulfill his purpose.

Over the next 40 years, Moses’ knowledge of structures came in handy in the design of the tabernacle. His military background was useful in the numerous battles. His understanding of medicine was important in setting basic hygiene requirements. His literacy was vital for the recording of the ten commandments, and the law and the history of Israel.

But it was his relationship and complete trust in God, combined with a character shaped in the wilderness, that made him a great leader.

I believe that God was in control of both fires that shaped Moses and that He is shaping us today for His purpose. We are the clay, He the potter, and we are all the work of His hand (Isaiah 64:8).

Blog post provided by Tertius Opperman.