Douglas Jacoby Podcast

OT Characters: Moses

Episode Summary

Today Douglas continues his series on Old Testament Characters focusing in on the life of Moses. Join us as he shares what we can take away from Moses' life and what we learn about the character of God through his story. Also included is a devotional for how to share this material with you kids.

Episode Notes

For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Mosheh (mo-SHEH) -- Moses. Although this is an Egyptian name (as in Tutmoses or Tuthmosis), it sounds like the Hebrew mashah, meaning "draw out."
• Moses appears over 850x in the Bible, 80x in the N.T.
• Tevah (tay-VAH) -- the word for box or chest, found in Genesis 6:14 (Noah's "ark") and Exodus 2:3 (Moses' basket)

Further study:

• The passages in this podcast:
  • Read aloud:
    • Numbers 12:3
    • Deuteronomy 31:13-19, 34:1-12
    • Hebrews 11:23-29
  • Referred to:
    • Exodus 2:3 and Genesis 6:14
    • Acts 7:22 and Exodus 4:10
    • 1 Samuel 22:3-4 and Exodus 4:20
    • Exodus 32:21 and Galatians 2:11
    • Exodus 32:32 and Romans 9:3
    • Deuteronomy 9:20
• Advanced: .
  • If we take 1 Kings 6:1 literally, then the Exodus must have been in 1446 BC. Yet the archaeological evidence is stronger for a 13th century Exodus. The 480 years may well be a symbolic number (12 [as in the tribes of Israel] x 40 [representing a generation]), in which case Moses would have been born not in 1526 BC, but 150-200 years later.
  • Whereas 110 was the ideal age for a virtuous Egyptian, 120 was the ideal age for the virtuous Israelite. For more on the symbolism of biblical ages, consult the articles linked to the notes provided with OT Podcast 3 (Noah).
  • Read the well-known Jewish document called The Assumption of Moses.
  • A not improbable tradition on Moses and Pharaoh is found in Josephus, Antiquities, II, ix, 7.
  • Deuteronomy 18:15-18 -- Moses is a type of Christ. See Acts 3.
  • Muslims apply this prophecy to Muhammad (!). See my refutation in Jesus and Islam.
• For more on Egypt and Moses' background -- as well as for a bracing challenge to immerse yourself in the Old Testament, click here.
• For commentaries, check out:
  • The Word Biblical Commentary, Exodus (Durham). Based on the original Hebrew. Excellent, though advanced. A true commentary, considering all angles and copiously supported bibliographically.
  • The Daily Study Bible Series, Exodus (Ellison). Popular level, and more thorough than Barclay's original N.T. series. Shows considerable literary sensitivity.
  • Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Exodus (Cole). Easy to read, though does not include the full text of Exodus, Well done, and only half the length of the DSB series. Highly recommended.

Some things we learn about God:

• Though most of us accomplish our life's work in our 40s and 50s, the Lord may be actually preparing us for far greater service in our old age.
• Even when we disobey, God may still give the blessing. Therefore we must be particularly wary of pragmatism.
• Even for "big leaders," sin always has consequences. No one is above God's moral law.
• If you are a leader, don't be a one-man show, or a one-woman show! Trust others to exercise their gifts, too.
• God wants us to see him. Yet we can no more see God directly, without being destroyed, than we can gaze at the sun without losing our eyesight! Because of our moral limitations (Habakkuk 1:13), we see God only indirectly -- his effects. We behold his glory not only through the Word, but especially through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:18, Colossians 2:9).
• The Word of God -- the Hebrew scriptures -- testify of the Christ to come.
• We need to learn to do things God's way, not take matters into our own hands (the flesh). Man's anger does not, after all, bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:20).
• Rather than allowing pragmatism to prevail, we need to follow in the footsteps of Moses, who preferred the maltreatment of persecution over the pleasures of privilege. Such are the people the Lord will reward.

For kids (devotional -- best for three or more children):

• Role-play. Dress up. Dramatize three or more of the plagues.
• Let father (or the oldest male) play Pharaoh.
• Emphasize:
  • It is useless opposing God.
  • The Lord hears the cries of his people.
  • He is a God who rescues us.
  • He works through people willing to speak up.
• Have some fun!

Key verses:

• Exodus 3:2 -- the burning bush
• Exodus 32:32 -- Moses' self-sacrificial Spirit
• Numbers 12:3 -- humility
• Numbers 20:11 -- anger
• Hebrews 11:25 -- correct spiritual priorities

Next lesson: Aaron