MOSES – The Man

CHRONOLOGIES FOR MOSES

CONVENTIONAL CHRONOLOGY – Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) or Seti I

(1294-1279 BC) who enslaved the Israelites

– Merenptah (1213-1203 BC) or Ramesses II who is the Pharaoh of the Exodus

ALTERNATE CHRONOLOGY – Amenhotep III (1386-1351 BC) - Pharaoh

at the time of Moses' birth (followed by Horemheb (1319 BC-1292 BC))

– Ramesses I (1292-1290) Pharaoh of the Exodus

CHRONOLOGIES FOR MOSES

ALTERNATE CHRONOLOGY “Pharaohs and Kings" by David Rohl

– Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV (1529-?BC)- Pharaoh at the time of Moses' birth

– Dudimose (1457-1444 BC) - Pharaoh of the Exodus– Reign of Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV - Moses was

raised as a prince of Egypt.

ARTAPANUS

• Jewish historian (Late 3RD

Century BC)

• Compiled history of the Israelites

in Egypt

• Access to ancient records in

Egyptian temples and library at

Alexandria?

• Extracts paraphrased in

Eusebius' writings

• Partial summary in Clement's

writings.

ARTAPANUS

Artapanus refers to Pharaoh Khenephres:

– Had a daughter who adopted a Hebrew

child

– Child grew up to become Prince Mousos

Khenephres (Greek) = Egyptian royal name

Khaneferre.

There is only one Pharaoh with this name.

Tradition of a military campaign by Prince

Moses against the Ethiopians.

PHAROH AND THE NILE• Pharaoh believed that he was god of the Nile.

• Pharaoh: “cast the children into the Nile, and the god of the Nile shall decide who will live and who will die "as if the midwives would not be performing the act of murder.

• The first plague - turning the Nile into blood - an act of war? (Someone had stabbed their god?)

• Pharaoh’s daughter - Her father was “god of the Nile”

– She was daughter of "god“– The child is drawn alive from the river – “Moses” – “…for from the water he was drawn out." [Exodus 2:10]

Son of the Nile

• Named “Moses” - not a Hebrew name. • “Son of the Nile” had political and theological implications:

– For Pharaoh's daughter, the Nile gave birth to her son– Positioning him to become the next Pharaoh– Gives Moses a place among the pantheon of Egyptian gods.

• Educated as an Egyptian• Moses leaves the palace to "seek out his brothers“:

– Moses killed the Egyptian - rejecting his way of life– Moses forfeited his role in Egyptian society.

Moses the Egyptian

• The Jews spoke a different language, Hebrew

• Moses seems lacking. Moses had difficulty with speech:

“I am not an eloquent man ... but I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue.” [Exodus 4:10]

• Moses describes himself: "I whose lips are uncircumcised." [Exodus 6:12; 6:30]

– Literal meaning - Moses is too “Egyptian” to represent the Jews.

• Moses in Midian – an “Egyptian man” – His clothes were Egyptian

Character Profile• Humility - attempt to be excused from

leadership of his (Exodus 3:7-22; Exodus 4:1-13);

• Faith – Addresses the people at the Red Sea, while the Egyptians were sweeping down upon them (Exodus 14:13-18);

• Patience – hearing the complaints of Israel and passing judgment (Exodus 18:13);

• Willing to delegate authority (Exodus 18:17-27);

• Loyal to the Lord - the destruction of the golden calf (Exodus 32:19-28);

• Loyal to his people - petition to the Lord to spare Israel (Exodus 32:9-13);

• Courage – to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 14:10-14).

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• Born in Egypt to Hebrew Parents

• Saw Hebrews treated cruelly by Egyptians

• Witnessed an Egyptian harming a Hebrew

– Retaliated by killing the Egyptian

– Pharaoh heard of the killing

– Moses fled to Midian

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• Married Zipporah, a Midianite

• God speaks from the Burning Bush– God saw oppression of Israelites– God calls Moses to lead his people out

of Egypt

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh– Pharaoh won’t let

the Israelites go– The Lord sends the

10 plagues– Pharaoh relents

• Leads people out of Egypt– crosses the Red Sea

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• Bitter water at Marah made drinkable

• Manna from heaven

• Water from a rock

• Ten Commandments @ Mt. Sinai

• Laws concerning community life matters

• Instruction on the sacred tent and other religious matters

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• People make idol in the shape of a bull– Moses breaks the

stone tablets• Second set of

commandments• Face shines – Lord’s

presence – Mt. Sinai• Instructions on turning

Levites into priests– Will serve in the

sacred tent• Korah, Dathan &

Abiram rebel

Key Events in Moses’ Life

• Bronze snake– Heals people bitten by poisonous snake

• Moses refused entry into Canaan• Most important commandment• Blesses the tribes of Israel• Dies in Moab

Matthew’s Jesus – The “New Moses”

• Israelites fear the violence of the mountain– Jesus speaks to the

people as a one of them

• The Torah comes from on the mountain– Jesus delivers His

Torah on a mount

• God speaks to Moses in the darkness of the mountain– Jesus’ teaching

comes after communion with His Father

Matthew’s Jesus – The “New Moses”

• Moses presents the Law to the people– Jesus adds depth to the

Law but does not abolish it

• Moses speaks to the Israelites– Jesus opens the

message to all

• For Moses, God was the giver of the Law– Jesus Himself is the

lawgiver: ”You have heard it said…but I say…” The people are “alarmed” or “astonished” - He speaks with authority