Moses is one of the most significant figures in all of Scripture — the man who led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, received the Ten Commandments from God, and spent 40 years guiding God’s people through the wilderness. Jesus Himself referred to Moses more than any other Old Testament figure.
Early Life: Birth and Rescue (Exodus 1–2)
Moses was born to Hebrew slaves in Egypt at a time when Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. His mother hid him for three months, then placed him in a basket on the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found him, adopted him, and Moses was raised in the royal palace — but his Hebrew mother, Jochebed, nursed him.
The Burning Bush: God’s Call (Exodus 3)
At age 80, after killing an Egyptian and fleeing to Midian where he lived as a shepherd for 40 years, Moses encountered God at a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire. God revealed His name — “I AM WHO I AM” — and called Moses to return to Egypt and lead His people to freedom.
Moses initially resisted: “Who am I?” “What if they don’t believe me?” “I’m not a good speaker.” God answered each objection with His own sufficiency. A pattern we see throughout Scripture: God’s call is greater than our limitations.
The Exodus: Plagues and the Passover (Exodus 7–14)
Through Moses, God sent 10 plagues on Egypt — culminating in the Passover, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts spared the firstborn of Israel. This event is one of the clearest Old Testament pictures of Christ — the Lamb of God whose blood saves us from judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Law and the Covenant (Exodus 19–20)
At Mount Sinai, Moses received the Ten Commandments and the detailed Law of God. He served as the mediator of the Old Covenant between God and Israel — a role that foreshadowed Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15).
Moses’ Greatest Failure (Numbers 20)
Even this great man of God was not without sin. At Meribah, when the people complained about water, God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses struck it twice in anger. For this act of disobedience — misrepresenting God’s character — Moses was forbidden from entering the Promised Land. A sobering reminder that even leaders must obey God completely.
Moses’ Death and Legacy (Deuteronomy 34)
Moses died on Mount Nebo at age 120, viewing the Promised Land from afar. Deuteronomy 34:10 records: “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.”
How Moses Points to Jesus
- Both were threatened at birth by a ruler (Pharaoh / Herod)
- Both came out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1 / Matthew 2:15)
- Both were mediators of a covenant
- Both performed miraculous signs and wonders
- Moses predicted: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me” (Deuteronomy 18:15) — fulfilled in Jesus
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