Rescued and raised in Egypt
Moses was born when Pharaoh had ordered the killing of Hebrew baby boys. His mother hid him, then placed him in a small basket among the reeds of the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter found him, showed compassion, and raised him in Egypt (Exodus 2:1-5; Exodus 2:10).
Moses belonged to the enslaved Israelites, yet he grew up in Pharaoh's household. Later, after he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew man, Moses fled to Midian and became a shepherd (Exodus 2:11-15). His life had taken an unexpected turn.
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Called at the burning bush
While tending sheep near Horeb, Moses saw a bush burning without being consumed. God called to him there and told him to return to Egypt. The Lord had seen Israel's suffering and planned to bring them out of bondage (Exodus 3:2-5; Exodus 3:7-10).
Moses didn't leap forward confidently. He questioned whether he was the right person and worried about speaking well. God promised to be with him, and appointed Moses' brother Aaron to speak alongside him (Exodus 4:10-12; Exodus 4:14-16). God can work through people who feel inadequate.
Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Leader, lawgiver, and intercessor
Moses stood before Pharaoh, led Israel through the Red Sea, and brought the people to Mount Sinai. There God made a covenant with Israel and gave them his commands, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:3-6; Exodus 20:1-3). Their rescue from Egypt was meant to lead to a life of worship, justice, and trust in God.
He also prayed for Israel when they sinned. After the people made a golden calf, Moses pleaded for them before God (Exodus 32:11-14). Numbers describes him as God's faithful servant, someone with whom God spoke plainly rather than only through visions or dreams (Numbers 12:7-8).
A faithful but imperfect servant
Moses did not enter the promised land himself. At Meribah, when Israel complained about water, he failed to honour God as he had been commanded. God told Moses that he would not lead the people into Canaan (Numbers 20:12). Scripture does not hide this failure, even as it honours Moses' long service.
Moses died on Mount Nebo after seeing the land from a distance, aged 120 (Deuteronomy 34:5-7). Deuteronomy says that no later prophet in Israel knew the Lord in the same direct way (Deuteronomy 34:10). Moses also pointed beyond himself. God promised to raise up a prophet like Moses, a promise Christians understand to find its fullest fulfilment in Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22).
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,