Topical Bible: Call: To Special Religious Duty: Moses

◄ Call: To Special Religious Duty: Moses ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Moses stands as one of the most significant figures in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of being called to a special religious duty. His life and mission are pivotal in the history of Israel and in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The call of Moses is a profound example of divine selection and empowerment for a specific purpose.

Background and Early Life

Moses was born during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. The Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed, but through divine providence, Moses was saved and raised in the Egyptian royal household (Exodus 2:1-10). This unique upbringing positioned him with the education and skills necessary for his future leadership role.

The Burning Bush: The Call to Deliverance

The call of Moses is dramatically depicted in the account of the burning bush. While tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro in the wilderness of Horeb, Moses encountered a bush that was burning yet not consumed. It is here that God called Moses to his special religious duty. The Lord spoke to him from the bush, saying, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). This divine encounter marked the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.

Reluctance and Assurance

Moses initially expressed reluctance and self-doubt regarding his ability to fulfill this daunting task. He questioned, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). God assured Moses of His presence, promising, "I will certainly be with you" (Exodus 3:12). Despite Moses' concerns about his speaking abilities, God provided Aaron, his brother, to be his spokesperson (Exodus 4:14-16).

Signs and Wonders

To authenticate Moses' divine commission, God equipped him with the ability to perform miraculous signs. These included turning his staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then restoring it, and turning water from the Nile into blood (Exodus 4:2-9). These signs were intended to convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's power and authority.

Leadership and the Exodus

Moses' call to special religious duty culminated in the Exodus, where he led the Israelites out of Egypt after a series of plagues demonstrated God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods. The crossing of the Red Sea and the subsequent journey through the wilderness were defining moments in Moses' leadership, as he guided the people according to God's instructions.

The Giving of the Law

At Mount Sinai, Moses received the Law, including the Ten Commandments, which became the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God. This event further solidified Moses' role as a mediator between God and His people, emphasizing his special religious duty to instruct and guide the nation in righteousness.

Legacy

Moses' call to special religious duty is a testament to God's sovereign choice and the transformative power of divine calling. His life exemplifies obedience, faith, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges. Moses is revered as a prophet, lawgiver, and leader, whose impact resonates throughout the biblical narrative and beyond.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 3:2,4,10
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 4:1-16
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice: for they will say, The LORD has not appeared to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 105:26
He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 7:34,35
I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Sixth Season
... by vain thoughts, humble yourself before God, and call in assistance ... It will be of
special use to keep your ... Your religious seasons are your seed times, and in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

From Egypt to Sinai.
... or needy constituted the first element of a call to enlist in ... since none of the priests
could perform their religious service so ... (1) Those of special value to ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter v from egypt to.htm

Call to China and Voyage Hence
... my mind has been more or less under religious impressions from ... Mr. Talmage had to
choose between the call of duty ... By a special Providence it was not much more ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/ii call to china and.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... Also fundamental to his call was the recognition of the ... to-day appeal to the moral
and religious feelings of ... within the scope of action of the special official ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... do proclaim it, does he not call upon them ... by his authority, no part of religious
duty is uninculcated ... and when faith is commanded without special reference to ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Call of Elisha
... they are not connected with some directly religious work, many ... Many long for special
talent with which to do ... For several years after the call of Elisha, Elijah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 17 the call of.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... man of God is to spring from a religious family, that ... was, in fact, intended to be
a call to united ... the situation, special training is needed for special work. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... a trade was regarded as almost a religious duty - but from the ... might waken the
remembrance of the Angelic call, to great ... it is this story of special favour' or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... with the season meet for every other religious act ... distress, and the pangs of
bereavement, call for the ... urge us to those exercises of special solemn Covenanting ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... it enjoys at present: rather, there is a call on us ... former times, on account of that
increase of religious knowledge with ... too (as it was) with a special promise ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm