Moses

by Swami Sivananda

The rapidly increasing population in Egypt caused much concern amongst the Egyptians, so the pharaoh ordered that all male children born to Hebrew women be slain at birth. A Levite woman, fearing for the life of her newborn son, hid him for three months, and when no longer able to do so, made a cradle out of bullrushes, wherein she laid her baby. She then placed the cradle by the banks of the river. While bathing, the pharaoh’s daughter found the baby and feeling compassion, she decided to adopt him and called him Moses.

Moses grew up in the pharaoh’ s household, but his loyalty to his own people was unshakable. One day, while out watching the Hebrews labouring for their Egyptian masters, he saw an Egyptian cruelly beating one of the Hebrews. Moses killed the Egyptian and buried his body in the sand, but the pharaoh heard of this and so Moses was forced to flee. He went to the land of Midian where he lived as a humble shepherd and married Zipporah, one of the priest’s daughters. It was in this land, at the foot of a rugged, forbidding mountain, that the Lord spoke to Moses from a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. Moses was commanded to lead the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. He therefore, returned to Egypt where, joined by his brother, Aaron, they pleaded with the pharaoh to let their people go. But the pharaoh refused, and so God, to prove their divine purpose, manifested himself in many miraculous ways, and pharaoh finally relented.

They had not been gone very long, when pharaoh changed his mind and decided to pursue them, but God told Moses to stretch out his hand, which he did, and the waters of the Red Sea parted allowing the Israelites to cross over, after which, Moses caused the waters to return thus drowning the pursuing Egyptian armies.

Three months after their escape, they arrived at mount Sinai, and it was here, on the slopes of the mountain where Moses went to meditate, that God gave to him the ten commandments which were inscribed on two tablets of stone, and which tenets of the faith have been followed ever since by the children of Israel. According to the Lord’s instructions, Moses and the people built an Ark of the Covenant made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, containing the two tablets of stone. They carried this Ark with them on their journey.

Moses and the children of Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness before settling in the Promised Land. Moses, now old in years, but not in spirit and ability, was not to enter this land himself.

After giving his people final instructions which make up the major part of the book of Deuteronomy found in the Old Testament of the Bible, Moses gave them his final blessing, made his way to the summit of a mountain about ten miles east of the mouth of the Jordan, and with his eyes gazing at the panoramic view of the land of Israel, this great prophet and servant of God, died.

Moses is known in the history of Israel as the law-giver and as an ideal and faithful leader.�

Moses: The Great Prophet, Lawgiver, and Spiritual Leader

Moses is one of the most revered prophets in the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is remembered as a courageous leader who guided the Israelites from slavery in Egypt toward freedom and received the Divine Law on Mount Sinai. His life reflects unwavering faith, obedience to God, perseverance during hardship, and dedication to justice and righteousness. The teachings and example of Moses continue to inspire millions of people around the world to live with integrity, compassion, and trust in the Divine. Devotional India encourages readers to understand the timeless message of this great prophet with respect and appreciation.

Understanding Moses begins with his remarkable calling as a servant of God. According to sacred traditions, he was chosen to lead the Israelites out of bondage and guide them toward a life founded on faith and moral responsibility. Despite facing many challenges, opposition, and uncertainties, he remained steadfast in carrying out his divine mission. His courage and perseverance demonstrate the importance of trusting in God even during the most difficult circumstances. His life teaches that faith combined with determination can overcome great obstacles.

One of the greatest contributions of Moses was the reception of the Divine Commandments, which established moral and ethical principles for society. These teachings emphasize reverence for God, honesty, respect for others, justice, compassion, and personal responsibility. The moral values associated with his mission continue to influence spiritual and ethical thought throughout the world. Devotional India reminds readers that enduring values such as truthfulness, kindness, and integrity remain essential for building a peaceful and righteous life.

Another important aspect of Moses is his role as a compassionate leader. He guided his people with patience, wisdom, and unwavering commitment despite facing repeated difficulties. His leadership was not based on personal ambition but on service and obedience to God’s will. He encouraged people to remain faithful, united, and committed to righteousness even during periods of hardship. His example shows that true leadership is grounded in humility, courage, and selfless dedication.

The life of Moses also emphasizes the importance of faith and perseverance. Throughout his journey, he demonstrated trust in God’s guidance despite uncertainty and adversity. His story reminds believers that patience, prayer, and steadfastness are essential qualities for overcoming life’s challenges. By remaining faithful during difficult times, individuals develop spiritual strength and deeper confidence in divine providence. Devotional India highlights that faith becomes most meaningful when it inspires courage and righteous action.

Developing the virtues taught by Moses requires sincere effort and consistent practice. Prayer, meditation, ethical living, compassion toward others, and commitment to truth help individuals strengthen their relationship with God. Serving humanity with kindness, practicing forgiveness, and living with honesty reflect the enduring principles associated with his teachings. Every act of righteousness contributes to personal growth and spiritual fulfillment while promoting harmony within society.

The legacy of Moses continues to inspire people of many faiths because his message is rooted in universal values. His life demonstrates that obedience to God, moral courage, justice, and compassion can transform both individuals and communities. His teachings encourage humanity to live with responsibility, respect, and unwavering faith while striving for peace and righteousness. Devotional India continues to preserve the wisdom of great spiritual leaders to inspire seekers toward ethical living, spiritual growth, and lasting inner peace.

In conclusion, Moses remains one of history’s greatest prophets and spiritual leaders, whose life continues to guide humanity toward faith, justice, compassion, and moral excellence. Through trust in God, courageous leadership, righteous conduct, and dedication to truth, he demonstrated the path of spiritual strength and service. His example continues to inspire generations seeking wisdom and divine guidance. Devotional India encourages every reader to study Moses with respect, discovering timeless lessons of faith, perseverance, and spiritual fulfillment.