Moses is
one of the central figures
in the entire Bible.
He was the prophet and leader
whom God used
to deliver the people of Israel
from slavery in Egypt,
to mediate the covenant at Mount Sinai,
and to give the Law.
Through Moses,
God revealed His name, His power, and His will
in a unique way.
The story of Moses spans the books of
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy,
and his influence continues throughout the rest of Scripture.
Moses was born in Egypt during a time when Pharaoh had ordered the death of all Hebrew baby boys. His mother hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found the child, adopted him, and raised him in the Egyptian court (Exodus 2:1-10).
As a young man, Moses identified with his Hebrew people. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, he fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a shepherd and married Zipporah, daughter of the priest Jethro (Exodus 2:11-22).
While tending sheep near Mount Horeb (also called Sinai), Moses encountered the Lord in a burning bush that was not consumed. God called him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. When Moses hesitated and asked for God’s name, the Lord revealed Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” and as Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:1-15).
Despite Moses’ objections about his speaking ability, God appointed Aaron as his spokesman and promised to be with him.
Moses returned to Egypt and, together with Aaron, confronted Pharaoh with the Lord’s command: “Let my people go.” Through a series of ten plagues, God demonstrated His power over Egypt and its gods. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, led to the institution of the Passover and the release of the Israelites (Exodus 7–12).
Moses then led the people through the Red Sea, which God parted for their escape and closed over the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14). In the wilderness he faced continual challenges — hunger, thirst, complaints, and rebellion — yet God provided manna, water, and guidance through the pillar of cloud and fire.
At Mount Sinai, Moses ascended the mountain and received the Ten Commandments and the broader law that would govern Israel’s life as God’s covenant people (Exodus 19–24; 32–34). He served as the mediator of the covenant, reading the words of the Lord to the people and offering sacrifices.
When the people sinned by making the golden calf, Moses interceded for them, even offering to be blotted out of God’s book if necessary (Exodus 32:30-32). God renewed the covenant and revealed His glory to Moses in a unique way (Exodus 33–34).
Throughout the wilderness journey, Moses repeatedly stood between God and the people as an intercessor. He is described as a prophet whom the Lord knew “face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). God spoke with him clearly, not in riddles (Numbers 12:6-8).
Moses also faced personal failure. At Meribah he struck the rock in anger instead of speaking to it as God had commanded, and as a result he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1-13).
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivered a series of farewell addresses to the new generation of Israelites, reviewing the law and calling them to covenant faithfulness. He appointed Joshua as his successor, viewed the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, and died there at the age of 120. The Lord Himself buried him in an unknown location in Moab (Deuteronomy 34).
Moses remains a major figure in the New Testament. He appears with Elijah at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8). Jesus is presented as the prophet like Moses whom God promised to raise up (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22-23; 7:37). The law given through Moses is frequently contrasted with the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17), yet Jesus also affirmed the abiding authority of Moses’ writings (John 5:46-47).
Moses stands as a towering figure of faith, leadership, and intercession. Through him God redeemed a people, revealed His law, and made His name known. At the same time, Moses points beyond himself to the greater Prophet and Mediator, Jesus Christ, who brings a better covenant and leads His people into the true Promised Land.