The Holy Bible tells us that the LORD called Moses to liberate Hebrew slaves from Egypt after 430 years of Egyptian bondage. The LORD appointed him to lead the Hebrews through the desert for about 40 years. The LORD presented to the lawgiver The Ten Commandments, plus other laws and religious rituals for the Hebrews to learn and obey.
The Holy Bible reports to us that LORD used Moses to inflict ten plagues on the Egyptians, aided Moses when God lead them in a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, and helped Moses when He drowned Pharaoh and drowned more than a quarter million of Pharaoh’s troops in the Red Sea.
The Holy Bible also recounts for us that the LORD told Moses He would rain bread and quail down from heaven for the complaining Hebrews to eat and provide water for the grumbling Hebrews to drink.
We’ve read about these miracles in The Holy Bible. We’ve seen special effects of those miracles in Hollywood blockbuster Moses movies. But what else does The Holy Bible tell us about Moses? Who was “the Servant of the LORD?” This four-part Bible study attempts to answer these questions.
This Moses Bible study well also address Moses’ beginnings and mission (part 1). What was Moses’ character and what was the dialogue between Pharaoh and Moses preceding the LORD inflicting the ten plagues (part 2). What can we learn about Moses, cited in the Book of Exodus (part 3)? And what else can we learn about Moses, referenced in the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (part 4)?
Thus, I am pleased to present to you this Bible study about Moses, the Servant of the LORD.
Moses’ Posthumous Title
Although Moses authored the Book of Deuteronomy, Joshua son of Nun must have written the last chapter (34), which chronicles Moses’ death and burial. There’s a unique laudatory phrase which the author writes in Deuteronomy Chapter 34, indicating to us that Joshua wrote them. Moses was posthumously pronounced “the Servant of the LORD” in Deuteronomy 34:5. This verse reads: “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.”
Joshua then referenced “the Servant of the LORD” unique laudatory phrase in the first verse of the next book. I’ll cite the two verses, Joshua 1:1-2, so you will see scriptural context. “Now after the death of Moses ‘the servant of the LORD’ it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”
Joshua repeatedly referenced his wise mentor and esteemed predecessor “the Servant of the LORD” ten additional times throughout his historical Book of Joshua. Please look at Joshua 1:13, 8:31, 11:12, 12:6, 13:8, 14:7, 18:7, 22:2, 22:4 and 22:5. In addition, the “Moses, the Servant of the LORD” phrase are also referenced in II Kings 18:12; II Chronicles 1:3, and II Chronicles 24:6.
Aside from Jesus Christ Himself no other Bible character has been accorded such “Servant of the LORD” scriptural respect.
Thus, it can be deduced that a servant of the LORD is the most important thing for us to do in life. In my opinion this “Servant of the LORD” title and phrase is so eloquent. Being a “Servant of the LORD” is loftier than any other spiritual Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Bishop. Being a “Servant of the LORD” is better than being selected Chancellor, voted Pope, elected President, crowned King, coronated Queen, or named any other lofty title.
Joshua saw that Moses was a servant. We see that Jesus was a servant. Others must see that we are servants.
One bit of house keeping. Before continuing with Part 1 of this Bible study I would like to note that the word in each sentence under the “Moses’ Beginnings” and “Moses’ Mission” subheads begins with a verb. I wrote these two sections in a style like this is Moses’ fictitious résumé, absent the bullet points one would normally see in a résumé.
Moses’ Beginnings
Born to Amram and Jochebed of the house of Levi. Related to brother Aaron and sister Miriam. Found floating on Nile River in bulrush basket by Pharaoh’s daughter. Named “Moses” because Pharaoh’s daughter “drew him out of water.” Adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. Educated in all wisdom of Egyptians and became mighty in words and deeds. Spied on Egyptian beating Hebrew man. “Looked this way and that” then killed Egyptian. Buried dead Egyptian in sand. Marked for execution by Pharaoh. Escaped Egypt for committing murder. Fled to Midian and lived there. Sat, drank well water and helped Jethro’s seven daughters repel attacking shepherds. Watered Jethro’s daughters thirsty herd. Met and lived with Jethro, priest of Midian. Married Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah. Fathered sons Gershom and Eliezer. Lived 40 years shepherding livestock in desert. Led flock to west side of Horeb. Spotted burning bush on mountain of God. Saw Angel of the LORD in middle of burning bush. Heard God call “Moses, Moses” from burning bush. Talked with God for first time. Resisted God’s calling. Predicted Israelites would ask who is he and who sent him? Stated they would not believe or listen to him. Shown two signs to prove God’s power. Recoiled from God’s staff-turned-to-snake demonstration. Believed God would convert snake back to staff. Extended hand and caught serpents’ tail. Told to put hand in cloak. Afflicted with leprosy on hand. Told to reinsert hand in cloak and pull out. Healed from leprosy on hand. Declared not eloquent in speech. Noted speech impediment. Asked God how Pharaoh will listen to a man of uncircumcised lips. Informed older brother Aaron would assist and be his spokesman. Convinced of God’s calling. Briefed Jethro of conversation with God. Received father-in-law’s blessing to leave Midian. Returned to Egypt with Zipporah, two sons and donkey.
Moses’ beginnings was the foundation that caused him to carry out the mission God had created him for and commissioned him to do.
Moses’ Mission
Persuaded millions of Hebrews to follow him. Introduced them to God in a country of many gods. Demonstrated to Pharaoh and Egyptians that the LORD was more powerful than all their gods. Protected Hebrews in Goshen. Inflicted ten plagues on Egyptians. Contaminated Nile River and Egyptian water supply with blood. Brought frog infestation from Egyptian streams, rivers and ponds. Struck dust and converted dirt into lice, which tormented man and animal. Sent flies to afflict Egyptian people. Plagued horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep and goats. Broke out boils on man and beast. Rained hail on Egyptian territory. Blanketed locust on ground. Enveloped darkness in Egypt for three days. Killed Egyptian’s firstborn. Lead 600,000 men, excluding women and children, from Egypt. Allayed their fear by telling them to fear not, stand firm and see the salvation of God. Assured people the LORD will work for them today. Showed faith when he obeyed the LORD, who told him to tell people to move forward, lift up staff, stretch out hand over the Red Sea to divide it. Convinced them to follow him between walls of water on dry Red Sea floor for 12 miles while 200,000 Egyptian foot soldiers, 50,000 cavalrymen and 600 charioteers pursued them! Interceded for people on several occasions when God considered destroying them.
Conclusion
Having noted Moses’ title, stated Moses’ beginnings and presented to you Moses’ mission, Part 2 of this series will be about Moses’ character. I will also list the ten plagues which the LORD inflicted on Egypt to punish the Egyptians for enslaving His people.
During the interim I invite you to look on page two of The Testament Spectator’s four-page Moses edition, which is available above this/my website. In this Moses edition you will see an article in newspaper format which displays the following headline; “Moses reluctant to lead exodus after burning bush encounter with God.” You are more than welcome to download this PDF, at no cost, of this Moses edition, as well as download any other or all of the six other Bible newspaper editions which I’ve titled The Testament Spectator.
My five books are available for purchase in paperback and ebook. Among those five books “Story of Rich Man and Lazarus,” “Judas, Betrayer of Jesus,” and “Noah, Preparer of the Ark” have been released in audiobook, narrated by yours truly. Thank you.