5 Things You May Not Know About Moses in the Bible
Did you know these facts about this great hero of the faith?
By Lesli White
We know a great deal about Moses from the details we are provided in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; however, there’s much more to Israel’s mighty leader than what makes the headlines. Recognized universally as the deliverer of his people, the Israelites, from slavery to Egypt, Moses is also credited with establishing Israel’s judicial and religious systems. He was so incredible and his life was so instrumental that his story has been brought to life for millions on the small and big screen. Charlton Heston raised his profile in the 1956 Cecile B. DeMille movie, The Ten Commandments and became his most successful work. There’s so much more to this great hero of faith than what you may already know. Here are five things you may not know about Moses in the Bible.
He Probably Stuttered
Moses most likely had a speech impediment. There are two points of interest in Exodus 4:10. The minor of the two comes at the beginning of the response in which Moses expresses his feelings of his calling of God. The major of the two comes at the end of his comment in expressing why he feels that he can’t accept his calling. The New Living Translation of the Bible records Moses’ response to God’s call in Exodus 4:10, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
He Had Leprosy
Yes, Moses is considered to have had leprosy, at least briefly. We can see the instance referred to in Exodus’ fourth chapter. Moses objects when God tells him to return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh. God has Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he pulls it out again, “his hand was covered with scales, like snowflakes.” When Moses again puts his hand in his cloak, it comes out clean (Exodus 4:6-7). What exactly Moses did wrong has been debated by scholars. Biblical leprosy is described in Leviticus 13 as a progressive disease that causes scabs, crusts and white patches on the skin, turns hair white and causes bald spots.
He Was 80 Years Old When He Led the Children of Israel Out of Egypt
We know from Scripture that Moses lived to be 120 years old, but it wasn’t until he was 80 years old that God called him to lead His people out of Egypt. When Moses was 80 years old, God told him to return to Egypt and He would free the Israelites from slavery. God gave Moses specific directions on what to say and do. Moses was also told ahead of time that Pharaoh would not let the people go first, but finally after 10 plagues fell on the Egyptians, Pharaoh sent for Moses and told him to take the Israelites out of Egypt.
He Wasn’t Allowed to Enter the Promised Land
Moses is believed to have sinned by not having faith in the Lord and disobeyed a direct command from. That is the reason he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. God asked Moses to speak to the rock before his eyes and water would pour out which could be used by them and their livestock to drink, but Moses went ahead and hit the rock and water poured out. But the Lord said that as he didn’t show faith in him and instead hit the rock so he must not bring this community to the land He has given them. His punishment for disobedience and pride was that he was barred from entering the Promised Land.
He is Buried in a Hidden Place
Another interesting fact about Moses is that God buried him in a location which is hidden from everybody. The tombs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s are known but Moses’ tomb is still unknown. God had sent back Moses to Egypt to demand the release of Hebrews into the desert. God told him that the elders will listen to him and then he can take the elders with him to the King and ask him to release the Hebrews. He died in Midian at the age of 120. The Bible tells us he was healthy and unimpaired when he died.
Before Moses died, he reminded the people of all the Lord had done for them. The whole book of Deuteronomy is a record of what was said. Moses read the Ten Commandments to them again. He then went up into the mountain, looked into the Promised Land and then died as God said. Today, we have someone who is greater than Moses: Jesus Christ who is still leading people out of sin. His shed blood still allows God’s fierce wrath to “pass over” those who have repented and put their trust in Him.
