The biblical story of Moses. History of the Prophet Moses

One of the central events of the Old Testament is the story of Moses, the salvation of the Jewish people from the authority of the Egyptian pharaoh. Many skeptics are looking for historical evidence of the events that took place, as in the biblical account there were many miracles committed on the way to the Promised Land. However, however that may be, this story is quite entertaining and tells of the incredible release and resettlement of an entire nation.

Prehistory and the birth of Moses

The birth of the future prophet was originally shrouded in mystery. Virtually the only source of information about Moses were the biblical writings, since there is no direct historical evidence, only indirect ones. In the year of the birth of the prophet, the ruling pharaoh Ramses II ordered all newborn children to be heated in the Nile, because, despite the hard work and oppression of the Jews, they continued to multiply and multiply. Pharaoh was afraid that once they could take sides with his enemies.

That's why the mother of Moses for the first three months hid him from everyone. When this became impossible, she praised the basket and put her child there. Together with the eldest daughter she carried to the river and left Mariam to follow what would happen next.

God pleased that Moses and Ramses would meet. History, as mentioned above, is silent about the details. The basket was picked up by Pharaoh's daughter and brought to the palace. According to another version (which some historians adhere to), Moses belonged to the royal family and was the son of that very daughter of Pharaoh.

Anyway, the future prophet was in the palace. Mariam, who traced the one who picked up the basket, offered as a wet nurse to Moses' own mother. So the son returned to the bosom of the family for a while.

The Life of the Prophet in the Palace

After Moses grew a little and did not need a wet nurse, his mother took the future prophet to the palace. There he lived for a long time, and was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. Moses knew what kind he was, he knew that he was a Jew. And although he was trained along with the rest of the children of the royal family, he did not absorb cruelty.

The history of Moses from the Bible testifies that he did not worship the numerous gods of Egypt, but remained faithful to the beliefs of his ancestors.

Moses loved his people and each time suffered when he saw his torment when he saw how mercilessly exploited every Israeli. One day something happened that made the future prophet flee from Egypt. Moses witnessed the brutal beating of one of his people. In a fit of fury, the future prophet snatched the whip from the hands of the overseer and killed him. Since no one saw what he did (as Moses thought), the body was simply buried.

After a while, Moses realized that many already knew what he had done. Pharaoh orders to arrest and kill the son of his daughter. How did Moses and Ramses treat each other, history is silent. Why did they decide to kill him for killing the overseer? You can take into account the different versions of what is happening, however, most likely, the decisive was that Moses was not an Egyptian. As a result of all this, the future prophet decides to flee Egypt.

The flight from Pharaoh and the further life of Moses

According to biblical data, the future prophet went to the land of Midian. The further history of Moses narrates about his family life. He married the daughter of priest Jethro Zeppore. Living this life, he became a shepherd, he learned to live in the desert. He also had two sons.

Some sources claim that before he married, Moses lived with the Saracens for some time, had a prominent position there. However, it should nevertheless be taken into account that the only source of the narrative of his life is the Bible, which, like any ancient scripture, overgrew with a certain allegorical touch.

The divine revelation and appearance of the Lord to the prophet

Be that as it may, the biblical story of Moses tells us that it was in Midian land, when he had herded the flock, that he had the revelation of the Lord. The future prophet at that moment was eighty years old. It was at this age that a bush of thorns met on his way, which was blazing with fire, but did not burn.

At this point, Moses received the instruction that he must save the people of Israel from the Egyptian authorities. The Lord commanded to return to Egypt and take his people to the promised land, freeing him from prolonged slavery. However, the Almighty Father warned Moses about the difficulties in his path. To enable him to overcome them, he was given the ability to perform miracles. Because Moses was tongue-tied, God commanded him to take Aaron's brother to help.

The Return of Moses to Egypt. Ten executions

The story of the prophet Moses, as the forerunner of God's will, began the day he appeared before the Pharaoh who ruled at that time in Egypt. It was another ruler, not the one from whom Moses once escaped. Of course, the pharaoh refused to demand the release of the Israeli people, and even increased the labor service for his slaves.

Moses and Ramses, whose history is more obscure than researchers would have liked, clashed in confrontation. The prophet did not accept the first defeat, he came to the ruler several more times and eventually said that the Egyptian punishment of God would fall on the ground. And so it happened. By the will of God, there were ten plagues that fell on Egypt and its inhabitants. After each of them the ruler called on his wizards, but they found the magic of Moses more adept. After every misfortune, Pharaoh agreed to let the people of Israel go, but every time he changed his mind. Only after the tenth did the Jewish slaves become free.

Of course, the story of Moses did not end there. The prophet still had years of travel, as well as a clash with the disbelief of fellow tribesmen, until they all reached the Promised Land.

The establishment of Easter and the exodus from Egypt

Before the last execution that fell upon the Egyptian people, Moses warned the people of Israel about her. This was the killing of the first-born in every family. However, the warned Israelis anointed their door with the blood of a lamb not older than one year, and their punishment was over.

On the same night, there was a celebration of the first Easter. The story of Moses from the Bible tells us about the rituals that preceded her. The slaughtered lamb had to be baked whole. Then eat standing up, gathered the whole family. After this event, the people of Israel left the land of Egypt. Pharaoh in fear even asked to do it sooner, seeing what happened at night.

From the first dawn came the fugitives. The sign of God's will was a pillar, which at night was fiery, and in the daytime cloudy. It is believed that it was this Passover that eventually transformed into the one that we know now. The liberation of the Jewish people from slavery symbolized just this.

Another miracle, which happened almost immediately after leaving Egypt, was crossing the Red Sea. At the Lord's bidding, the waters parted, and a land formed over which the Israelites crossed to the other side. Pharaoh, who chased them, also decided to follow the bottom of the sea. However, Moses and his people were already on the other side, and the waters of the sea closed again. So the pharaoh died.

The covenants Moses received on Mount Sinai

The next stop for the Jewish people was Mount Moses. The history of the Bible tells us that on this path the fugitives saw many miracles (manna from heaven, emerging springs of spring water) and were strengthened in their faith. Eventually, after a three-month journey, the Israelis came to Mount Sinai.

Leaving the people at her foot, Moses himself ascended to the summit after the Lord's instructions. There was a dialogue between the Father of All Existence and his prophet. As a result of all this, the Ten Commandments were received, which became the core of the people of Israel, which became the basis of legislation. Commandments were also received that covered civil and religious life. All this was recorded in the Book of the Covenant.

A forty-year journey through the wilderness of the Israeli people

Near the Mount Sinai the Jewish people stood for about a year. Then a sign was given by the Lord that we need to go further. The story of Moses as a prophet continued. He continued carrying the burden of the mediator between his people and the Lord. Forty years they wandered through the desert, sometimes lived for a long time in places where conditions were more favorable. The Israelites gradually became zealous executors of the covenants that the Lord gave them.

Of course, there were indignations. Not all arranged for such a long journey. However, as the history of Moses from the Bible testifies, the people of Israel nevertheless reached the Promised Land. However, the prophet himself did not reach her. It was a revelation to Moses that another leader would follow them. He rested at the age of 120, but no one knew where it happened, since his death was a secret.

Historical facts confirming the biblical events

Moses, whose life story is known to us only from biblical stories, is a significant figure. But is there any official data that confirms its existence as a historical figure? Some consider it all just a beautiful legend that was invented.

However, some historians still tend to believe that Moses is a historical figure. This is evidenced by some information contained in the biblical story (slaves in Egypt, the birth of Moses). Thus, it can be said that this is not a fictional story, and all these miracles happened actually in those distant times.

It should be noted that to date, this event is displayed more than once in the cinema, as well as created cartoons. They are told about such heroes as Moses and Ramses, whose history is not described in the Bible. Particular attention in the cinema is given to the miracles that happened during their journey. Whatever it was, but all these films and cartoons educate morality in the younger generation and instill morality. They are also useful for adults, especially those who have lost faith in miracles.