Who's who in the Bible: Moses

Moses is a very interesting character - his story takes up the whole book of Exodus. When he was born the Israelites were living in Egypt because of a famine (see the story of Joseph). The Israelites were increasing in number so Pharaoh commanded that the midwives kill the Israelite baby boys. Moses' mother hid him in a basket and Pharaoh's daughter found him and raised him as her son. When he was an adult Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite so he fled to another country. God appeared to him in a burning bush and sent him to Egypt to rescue the Israelites. Moses was very reluctant but God said "I will be with you."

When Moses and his brother, Aaron, confronted Pharaoh and demanded that he let the Israelites go, he refused so God afflicted Egypt with ten plagues - river was turned to blood, frogs, lice, flies, disease that affected farm animals, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death of firstborn. Pharaoh was one stubborn dude but finally he relented and the Israelites left. Then Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them. The Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea but God told Moses to hold his staff over the water and the sea parted so that they could safely cross over. The sea then closed over the Egyptian army. Long story short, the Israelites were disobedient so they wandered around the desert for 40 years. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

So what does this mean for us? God called Moses but he didn't think he was qualified and came up with all kinds of excuses. Sometimes God tells us to do something and we don't think we're the right person for the job and come up with all sorts of excuses. But God promised to be with Moses and he promises to be with us too. 

Life Lesson: God chooses the weak and humble and enables them with his strength and wisdom.