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Moses in the basket
Many years later a new king came to power. He did not know what Joseph had done for Egypt, and he told the Egyptians: There are too many of those Israelites in our country, and they are becoming more powerful than we are. If we don't outsmart them, their families will keep growing larger. The Egyptians put slave bosses in charge of the people of Israel and tried to wear them down with hard work. But even though the Israelites were mistreated, their families grew larger, and they took over more land. …until finally, the king gave a command to everyone in the nation: “As soon as a Hebrew boy is born, throw him into the Nile River! But you can let the girls live.” Exodus 1: 8-12, 22
(A Hebrew woman) had a baby boy. He was a beautiful child, and she kept him inside for three months. But when she could no longer keep him hidden, she made a basket out of reeds and covered it with tar. She put him in the basket and placed it in the tall grass along the edge of the Nile River. The baby's older sister stood off at a distance to see what would happen to him. About that time one of the king's daughters came down to take a bath in the river, while her servant women walked along the river bank. She saw the basket in the tall grass and sent one of the young women to pull it out of the water. When the king's daughter opened the basket, she saw the baby and felt sorry for him because he was crying. She said: “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.” At once the baby's older sister came up and asked: “Do you want me to get a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby for you?” “Yes,” the king's daughter answered. So the girl brought the baby's mother, and the king's daughter told her: “Take care of this child, and I will pay you.” The baby's mother carried him home and took care of him. And when he was old enough, she took him to the king's daughter, who adopted him. She named him Moses because she said: “I pulled him out of the water.” Exodus 2: 2-10
Moses kills an Egyptian
After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were hard at work, and he saw an Egyptian beating one of them. Moses looked around to see if anyone was watching, then he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. When Moses went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting. So he went to the man who had started the fight and asked: “Why are you beating up one of your own people?” The man answered: “Who put you in charge of us and made you our judge? Are you planning to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian?” This frightened Moses because he was sure that people must have found out what had happened. When the king heard what Moses had done, the king wanted to kill him. But Moses escaped. Exodus 2: 11-15
Mozes and the burning bush
There an angel of the LORD appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up.” This is strange!” he said to himself. “I'll go over and see why the bush isn't burning up.” When the LORD saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered: “Here I am.” God replied: “Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals–the ground where you are standing is holy. I am the God who was worshiped by your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses was afraid to look at God, and so he hid his face. Exodus 3: 2-6
I am the eternal God. Exodus 3: 14
A divine mission
The LORD said: “I have seen how my people are suffering as slaves in Egypt, and I have heard them beg for my help because of the way they are being mistreated. I feel sorry for them, and I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians. I will bring my people out of Egypt into a country where there is good land, rich with milk and honey. Now go to the king! I am sending you to lead my people out of his country.” Exodus 3: 7-8, 10
Moses replied: “I have never been a good speaker. I wasn't one before you spoke to me, and I'm not one now. I… can never think of what to say… please send someone else to do it.” The LORD became irritated with Moses and said: “What about your brother Aaron…? I know he is a good speaker. He is already on his way here to visit you, and he will be happy to see you again. Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. Exodus 4: 10, 13-15
Let my People go!
Moses and Aaron went to the king of Egypt and told him: “The LORD God says, Let my people go… “Who is this LORD and why should I obey him?” the king replied. They answered: “The LORD God of the Hebrews …” Exodus 5: 1-3
So they took a few handfuls of ashes and went to the king. Moses threw them into the air, and sores immediately broke out on the Egyptians and their animals. Exodus 9: 10
Never before had there been so many locusts in Egypt… Exodus 10: 14
The river (Nile) turned into blood. Exodus 7: 20
The LORD said to Moses: I am going to punish the king of Egypt and his people one more time. About midnight he (God) will go through the land of Egypt, and wherever he goes, the first-born son in every family will die. Your own son will die, and so will the son of the lowest slave woman. But there won't be any need for the Israelites to cry. Exodus 11: 1, 4-5, 7
At midnight the LORD killed the first-born son of every Egyptian family… During the night the king sent for Moses and Aaron and told them: “Get your people out of my country and leave us alone! The Egyptians did everything they could to get the Israelites to leave their country fast. They said: “Please hurry and leave. If you don't, we will all be dead.” On that night the LORD kept watch for them… Exodus 12: 29, 31, 33, 42
Flight from Egypt
When the king of Egypt heard that the Israelites had finally left, he and his officials changed their minds and said: “Look what we have done! We let them get away, and they will no longer be our slaves.” The king got his war chariot and army ready. … the king's horses and chariots and soldiers caught up with them while they were camping by the Red Sea… When the Israelites saw the king coming with his army, they were frightened and begged the LORD for help. The LORD said to Moses… hold your walking stick over the sea. The water will open up and make a road where they (the Israelites) can walk through on dry ground. Exodus 14: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16
The LORD covered the royal Egyptian cavalry and chariots with the sea… Exodus 15: 19
Journey through the desert
The people started complaining to Moses, "Give us some water!” Then Moses prayed to the LORD. The LORD answered: “Take some of the leaders with you and go ahead of the rest of the people. Also take along the walking stick you used to strike the Nile River, and… strike the rock with the stick, and water will pour out… Exodus 17: 2, 4-6
There in the desert they started complaining… in Egypt... we could at least sit down and eat all the bread and meat we wanted. The LORD said to Moses: “I will send bread down from heaven like rain. That evening a lot of quails came and landed everywhere in the camp, and the next morning dew covered the ground. After the dew had gone, the desert was covered with thin flakes that looked like frost. Moses answered: “This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. Exodus 16: 2-4, 13-15
God radiant on the mountain
Moses went up the mountain to meet with the LORD God, who told him:… if you will faithfully obey me, you will be my very own people... you will be my holy nation and serve me as priests. Exodus 19: 3, 5-6
Moses and Aaron, together with… seventy leaders, went up the mountain and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something that looked like a pavement made out of sapphire, and it was as bright as the sky. Exodus 24: 9-10
When God had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two flat stones on which he had written all of his laws with his own hand. Exodus 31: 18
The golden bull
The LORD said to Moses: “Hurry back down! Those people you led out of Egypt are acting like fools. They have already stopped obeying me and have made themselves an idol in the shape of a young bull. They have bowed down to it, offered sacrifices, and said that it is the god who brought them out of Egypt. I have seen how stubborn these people are.” Moses went back down the mountain with the two flat stones… As Moses got closer to the camp, he saw the idol, and he also saw the people dancing around. This made him so angry that he threw down the stones and broke them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. He melted the idol the people had made, and he ground it into powder. He scattered it in their water and made them drink it. So the LORD punished the people of Israel with a terrible disease for… making the gold idol. Exodus 32: 7-9, 15, 19-20, 35
The ten commandments
One day the LORD said to Moses: “Cut two flat stones like the first ones I made, and I will write on them the same commandments that were on the two you broke.
Exodus 34: 1
God said to the people of Israel: I am the LORD your God… do not worship any god except me. Exodus 20: 1-3
Respect your father and your mother… Exodus 20: 12
Respect your father and mother. Matthew 19: 19
Do not murder. Exodus 20: 13
Land of milk and honey
…but he (God) was so angry with the others that he forced them to wander around in the desert forty years. By that time everyone who had sinned against him had died. Numbers 32: 13
And I promise to lead them out of their troubles. I will give them a land rich with milk and honey… Exodus 3: 17 |
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The baby afloat
We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe. Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief. And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders (in Faith) and make them heirs, Surah 28: 3-5
So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: “Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him one of Our apostles.” Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the river): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and Haman (Egyptian commander) and (all) their hosts were men of sin.The wife of Pharaoh said: “(Here is) joy of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” And they perceived not (what they were doing)! But there came to be a void in the heart of the mother of Moses: She was going almost to disclose his (case), had We not strengthened her heart (with faith), so that she might remain a (firm) believer. And she said to the sister of (Moses): “Follow him” so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger. And they knew not And we ordained that he refused suck at first, until (His sister came up and) said: “Shall I point out to you the people of a house that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to him?”... Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her eye might be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true: but most of them do not understand. When he reached full age, and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge: for thus do We reward those who do good. Surah 28: 7-14
Moses murders a man
And he (Moses) entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting – one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: “This is a work of Evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!” Surah 28: 15
(Allah said:) “Then thou didst slay a man. Surah 20: 40
He (Moses) prayed: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul! Do Thou then forgive me!” So (Allah) forgave him: for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. He said: “O my Lord! For that Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace on me, never shall I be a help to those who sin!” Surah 28: 16-17
And there came a man, running, from the furthest end of the City. He said: “O Moses! the Chiefs are taking counsel together about thee, to slay thee: so get thee away, for I do give thee sincere advice.” He therefore got away there from, looking about, in a state of fear. He prayed “O my Lord! save me from people given to wrong-doing.” Surah 28: 20-21
“Then thou didst slay a man, but We (Allah) saved thee from trouble… Surah 20: 40
A voice in the fire
Has the story of Moses reached thee? Behold, he saw a fire: So he said to his family: “Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire.” But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: “O Moses! “Verily I am thy Lord! therefore (in My presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley. “I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee). “Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise. Surah 20: 9-14
But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard from the right bank of the valley, from a tree in hallowed ground: “O Moses! Verily I am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds... Surah 28: 30
Moses hesitates
“Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.” Surah 20: 24
Those are the two credentials from thy Lord to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: for truly they are a people rebellious and wicked.” Surah 28: 32
“Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour. Surah 20: 15
He (Moses) said: “O my Lord! I have slain a man among them, and I fear lest they slay me.” Surah 28: 33
(Moses) said: “O my Lord! expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech, So they may understand what I say: And give me a Minister from my family, Aaron, my brother; Add to my strength through him, And make him share my task. Surah 20: 25-32
(Allah) said: “Granted is thy prayer, O Moses!” Surah 20: 36
He (Allah) said: “We will certainly strengthen thy arm through thy brother, and invest you both with authority” Surah 28: 35
Plagues upon Egypt
“So go ye both to him (Pharaoh), and say,: 'Verily we are apostles sent by thy Lord: Send forth, therefore, the Children of Israel with us, and afflict them not: with a Sign, indeed, have we come from thy Lord! and peace to all who follow guidance!’” (Pharaoh) said: “Who, then, O Moses, is the Lord of you two?” He said: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further, gave (it) guidance.” Surah 20: 47, 49-50
Pharaoh said: “O Chiefs! no god do I know for you but myself: therefore, O Haman! (Egyptian commander) light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” Surah 28: 38
And We showed Pharaoh all Our Signs, but he did reject and refuse. Surah 20: 56
So We sent (plagues) on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs, And Blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance– a people given to sin. Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: “O Moses! on your behalf call on thy Lord in virtue of his promise to thee: If thou wilt remove the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in thee, and we shall send away the Children of Israel with thee.” But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed term which they had to fulfil– Behold! They broke their word! Surah 7: 133-135
Passage through the Sea
We sent an inspiration to Moses: “Travel by night with My servants, and strike a dry path for them through the sea, without fear of being overtaken (by Pharaoh) and without (any other) fear.” Then Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, but the waters completely overwhelmed them and covered them up. Pharaoh led his people astray instead of leading them aright. Surah 20: 77-79
We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. Surah 10: 90
And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight. Surah 2: 50
Pharaoh repents
At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: “I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam).” (It was said to him): “Ah now! - But a little while before, wast thou in rebellion! - and thou didst mischief (and violence)! “This day shall We save thee in the body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee! but verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!” Surah 10: 90-92
Water and Manna
And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; Surah 2: 60
We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: “Strike the rock with thy staff”: out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: Each group knew its own place for water. Surah 7: 160
And remember ye said: “O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, - its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, Its garlic, lentils, and onions.” He said: “Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Surah 2: 61
We gave them the shade of clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): “Eat of the good things We have provided for you”: (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls. Surah 7: 160
Allah speaks with Moses
Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet. And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse). Surah 19: 51-52
And remember ye said: “O Moses! We shall never believe in thee until we see Allah manifestly,” but ye were dazed with thunder and lighting even as ye looked on. Surah 2: 55
And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): “Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts.” Surah 7: 145
Mozes grieved
The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong. Surah 7: 148
When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: “Evil it is that ye have done in my place in my absence”… He put down the tablets… Surah 7: 150
And remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! Ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: So turn (in repentance) to your Maker, and slay yourselves (the wrong-doers); that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): For He is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful. Surah 2: 54
When they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said: “If our Lord have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of those who perish.” Surah 7; 149
Even then We did forgive you; there was a chance for you to be grateful. Surah 2: 52
Laws in the tablets
When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord. Surah 7: 154
We gave Moses the Book… Surah 2: 87
And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters… Surah 7:145
Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. Surah 17: 23
Shed no blood amongst you, nor turn out your own people from your homes. Surah 2: 84
Gardens for the righteous
Allah said: “Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years: In distraction will they wander through the land: But sorrow thou not over these rebellious people. Surah 5: 26
…the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of… milk of which the taste never changes; and rivers of honey pure and clear. Surah 47: 15 |
