Moses - Bible Character Essay

Moses

Anibal Espaillat

Nyack College

Author Note

This paper was prepared for Leading Organizations PMN441NA, taught by Dr. Russell McLeod.

Moses

        Moses is a larger than life Bible character. Books have been written about him, and movies have been made portraying his life. But to get a good glimpse of who he was and how he succeeded in becoming the man God chose to liberate a nation, we must visit the pages of the Bible and appreciate the details that lie within.

        Moses didn’t start out to be a leader. In fact it may have been the farthest thing from his mind at the time of his youth. The book of Exodus, chapter 2, narrates Moses’ birth during a terrible time of persecution for children being born male. Through divine providence, the boy Moses was spared and raised by his real mother, and also by Pharaoh’s daughter. It’s a great story of how God preserves the lives of his people, but also how he preserves the lives of those he has a specific purpose. In Moses’ case, the purpose was to become a leader.

        It is hard to conclude exactly what was going on in Moses’ head at the time when he confronted and killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew. However, it may be safe to assume that he must have felt injustice, not because he knew he was a Hebrew (he wasn’t aware of this at the time), but simply because he may have felt it was not right. This event escalates to where Moses is discovered by his own people, which causes him to run for his life. It is in these circumstances that Moses spends the next forty years as a shepherd for his father-in-law Jethro. It is widely believed it was during this time of shepherding sheep that God taught Moses patience and trust, characteristics of a leader God could use.

        It is in his later years, approximately eighty, that Moses is called by God through the miraculous event of a burning bush. It is interesting to note that in the initial stages of his calling, Moses did not appear to be delighted with the idea of being a leader. Time and time again he pressed god with excuses and fears. And time again God encourages him with miraculous signs and convinces him to accept the call. Although the Bible says that Moses “was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action" (Acts 7.22 New International Version), forty years in the desert may have been enough for Moses to forget the Egyptian way of doing things and learn God’s way.

        In time and through experience, Moses does rise to the occasion and becomes one of the greatest biblical characters and leader of all time. It is through trying times, difficulties and adverse circumstances that he becomes what the Bible declares as “a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12.3). His personality was that of a gentle soul, a pacifist; quite the contrary to what he may have been accustomed to while in Egypt. His greatest challenges were experienced dealing with the people during their trek through the desert. Being accustomed to shepherding sheep, which are quite docile and manageable, the people often had complaints, always doubted, and pressured Moses at every turn. This kind of pressure will cause leaders, as in Moses case, to become frustrated and react in ways contrary to ones character. The people’s fear of dying, of thirst and hunger were often voiced throughout their desert experience.

        Moses displays a level of obedience, in stark contrast to the reluctant individual initially called by God. It is through his obedience that God manifested his miracles through him. As time progressed, he developed such intimacy with God. His faith and level of trust surpassed everyone at the time, which gave him direct access to God:  “He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face” (Numbers 12.7). His level of humility enabled God to use him powerfully to engage a tyrant such as the Pharaoh and to lead over two million people out of bondage into the Promised Land. Moses was also a prophet and was responsible for recording the Ten Commandments.

        Every leader, no matter how much strength they possess, or how many successes they’ve had, will have flaws or weaknesses that attempt to undermine their leadership. Some are more subversive and are harder to detect, while some weaknesses can show outright. One flaw in particular displayed by Moses was when he brutally killed an Egyptian for beating up a Hebrew citizen. It was this impetuous character flaw that had to be dealt with and tempered if Moses was going to be God’s leading man. Another instance of weakness was Moses’ sense of delegation. Leaders can often believe they can do it all, as with Moses when dealing with the disputes of the Israelites. In trying to intercede in this dilemma, his father-in-law responds: “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18.17-18). It was not until Jethro approaches Moses that he soon realizes his mistake and makes timely corrections.

        Moses’ grandest failure was not obeying God when told a second time to retrieve water from the rock, as mentioned in the book of Numbers, chapter 20. Instead of speaking to the rock, as God had instructed, Moses’ anger got the best of him thus striking the rock twice with his staff. His inability to follow instructions not only made God angry, but caused Moses not to continue the journey through the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. Only through a show of God’s mercy was Moses able to see the land from a distance from a mountain top. Apparently, Moses’ temper flared on occasions when pressured by the people he led.  The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, mentions characteristics such as “temperate and self-control” (1 Timothy 3:2), which are essential to good leadership. Leaders must be able to stand strong while under pressure and not cave in to outwardly circumstances. Peer pressure and stress can cause havoc in the life of a leader and make us do things that we may later regret.