Topical Bible: Faith: Moses

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Moses stands as one of the most significant figures in the Bible, exemplifying profound faith in God throughout his life. His journey from a Hebrew infant hidden in the bulrushes to the leader who delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage is a testament to his unwavering trust in God's promises and commands.

Early Life and Calling

Moses was born during a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, and Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed. His mother, Jochebed, placed him in a basket in the Nile River, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:1-10). Raised in the Egyptian court, Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, yet he retained his identity as a Hebrew.

At the age of forty, Moses fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-15). It was in Midian that God called Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his initial hesitations and feelings of inadequacy, Moses demonstrated faith by accepting God's call (Exodus 3:1-4:17).

The Exodus and the Red Sea

Moses' faith was further tested and proven during the Exodus. Confronted with Pharaoh's hardened heart and the might of the Egyptian empire, Moses relied on God's power to perform miraculous signs and wonders, including the ten plagues (Exodus 7-12). The climax of these events was the Passover, where the Israelites were spared from the death of the firstborn through the blood of the lamb, a profound act of faith and obedience (Exodus 12:1-30).

The crossing of the Red Sea is one of the most dramatic demonstrations of faith in Moses' life. As the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites, Moses trusted in God's deliverance. He stretched out his hand over the sea, and God parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22). The Berean Standard Bible records Moses' words to the people: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today" (Exodus 14:13).

The Wilderness Journey

Throughout the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses' faith was continually tested. He interceded for the people when they sinned, such as in the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14). Moses' relationship with God was intimate and unique; he spoke with God "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11).

Moses also demonstrated faith in God's provision, as seen in the miraculous supply of manna and quail (Exodus 16) and water from the rock (Exodus 17:1-7). Despite the people's frequent complaints and rebellion, Moses remained steadfast in his leadership, guided by his trust in God's promises.

The Law and the Promised Land

Moses' faith is further exemplified in his role as the lawgiver. On Mount Sinai, he received the Ten Commandments and the Law, which would govern the covenant relationship between God and Israel (Exodus 19-24). His faithfulness in delivering and upholding God's law was crucial in shaping the identity and faith of the Israelite nation.

Although Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land due to an act of disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12), his faith remained strong. He viewed the land from Mount Nebo and entrusted the leadership to Joshua, confident in God's promise to give the land to Israel (Deuteronomy 34:1-5).

Legacy of Faith

Moses' life is a profound example of faith in action. Hebrews 11:24-27 commends Moses for his faith, stating, "By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward."

Moses' faith journey, marked by obedience, perseverance, and an intimate relationship with God, continues to inspire believers to trust in God's promises and to lead lives of faithful service.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 11:24,27
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Faith of Moses.
... CHAPTER XII. THE FAITH OF MOSES. "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three
months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... 7. By "the righteousness which is of faith" is meant, that condition of justification,
(and ... Gen.12:15, 18.) It was yet more fully made known to Moses, to David ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

The Call of Moses
... The sign given to Moses is at first sight singular, inasmuch as it requires faith,
and can only be a confirmation of his mission when that mission is well ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

Comparison of Christ's Power Over Winds and Waves with Moses' ...
... Examine well the Exodus, Marcion; look at the rod of Moses, as it waves His command
to the Red Sea ... Why? Surely it was to challenge her faith, and to try her fear ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx comparison of christs power.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... The Psalms are illuminated and set aflame with the faith of Israel, that Moses
said and wrote what is ascribed to him in the Pentateuch. ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

Hebrews xi. 20-22
... For, saith he, ( ver.24-26 ) "by faith Moses when he was come to years, refused
to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi hebrews xi 20-22.htm

Moses Rightly Called a Divine Legislator, And, Though Inferior to ...
... be justified by faith." [2111] The true legislator is he who assigns to each department
of the soul what is suitable to it and to its operations. Now Moses, to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvi moses rightly called a.htm

Faith and Righteousness
... No wonder that Paul fastened on it to prove that justification by faith was older
than Moses, than law or circumcision, that his teaching was the real original ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/faith and righteousness.htm

Moses.
... But Moses had faith in God; so he was able to perform before the king the wonderful
things that he had done before his own people; still, Pharaoh would not let ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/moses.htm

On the Catholic Faith
... come by the birth of the Virgin, yet the diffusion of that faith throughout the ... All
this was revealed by God to His servant Moses, whom He vouchsafed to teach ...
/.../boethius/the theological tractates/on the catholic faith.htm