Athens In The Bible

Moses, a prophet and leader that appears in the Holy Bible, is a very prominent epic hero to God’s people, the Israelites. In Exodus, Moses was sent by the Lord to lead the Israelites to the land that God had promised to Abraham as well as Isaac and Jacob after having spent four decades enslaved to the Egyptians. Despite having proof that he spoke with God and had possessed powers such as turning his staff into a snake and being able to give his hand leprous and be able to make it healthy again, he faces hardships brought on by Pharaoh, and even the Israelites themselves. One example provided in Exodus, which proves the tale of Moses could be an epic, is the narrator begins the story four-hundred years after the Israelites had been enslaved by the Egyptians. “Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.” (Ex 1:6-7) This quote provides the example
needed for the reader of the Holy Bible to know that quite a bit of time has passed since the end of Genesis, and will pick up in the middle of the Israelites enslavement. This could be compared to Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. In the first chapter of The Divine Comedy, it begins my stating “Midway in our life’s journey I was found in a dark forest, for I had strayed from the straight path.” (The Divine Comedy) Through these quotes, one can see the similarities and how they both begin in the middle of hard times. Reading this epic, you will find the hero, Dante, is describe his journey through Hell, but looking deeper this epic truly focuses on Dante’s journey to God, much like the Israelites faced. Comparing the story of Moses to The Divine Comedy, it is safe to assume that Hell for Dante, is much like Egypt to the Israelites. Though a difference between these two epics, is that Dante could only save himself while the Israelites had Moses to save them, who had been sent by their God to bring them to the Promised Land. In chapter two of Exodus, Moses fled from Pharaoh to Midian until the old Pharaoh had died, allowing a new one to reign. Once the Pharaoh who had tried to have Moses killed passed on, God finally heard the cries of the Israelites and remembered the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord had taken notice of Moses and decided to speak with him to save his people. “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “(Ex 3:4) During this chapter, God reveals to Moses that he is the God of the people he was born to, the Israelites. Though, since he cannot be seen by anyone, he asks Moses to save the Israelites and bring them to the Promised Land, ultimately saving them from the Egyptians. “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Ex 3:10) This quote shows the encounter Moses has with God in which God asks Moses to rescue the Israelites from slavery. Though to do so, it would be exceedingly difficult, and Moses began to believe he would not be able to rescue the Israelites, so God granted him with the ability to perform miracles to prove he was sent by God. Throughout Exodus, the reader finds Moses consistently doubting himself, and if the Israelites will believe if God had sent Moses to save them. He then voices his concerns to God who then grants him abilities no other people will have. “The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.” (Ex 4:3) This quote provides an example shown in the story of one miracle God gave to Moses, to prove he had spoken to God. Despite this though, Moses still questioned his liability, and God saw, so he gave Moses the power to give his hand leprosy, and heal himself, so that the people of Egypt as well as the Israelites would believe him. “Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous —it had become as white as snow. “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.” (Ex 4:6-7) So, Moses went off to fight for the Israelites freedom, but Pharaoh wouldn’t let them free. Once God had seen this, he plagued Egypt to show the Egyptians and Israelites the true power he possesses and that there are none other like him. Nearing the end of enslavement, Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to go worship God, but during this time, his heart hardened more than ever, and he sent his men off to gather them back. God had seen this and spoke to Moses, giving him instructions to raise his arms and split the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross it. “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (Ex 14:21-22) By doing so, Moses saved the Israelites, eventually bringing them to the Promised Land. Now, because of his incredible deed Moses can be seen a representative of all Israelites, and even God himself. Throughout Exodus, Moses can be viewed as a representative of the Israelites who had been enslaved by Egyptians, and God himself.
This is simply because he spoke on the behalf of all Israelites to the Pharaoh while the were enslaved and could not speak on behalf of themselves without more than likely being murdered. Not only this, but because he himself was an Israelite himself. Moses was born into the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob whom to which God had promised plentiful lived filled with many descendants. Also, to each of them, God had promised them a land to which their people could live prosperous lives. Though, once the Lord noticed the cries of his people from Egypt, he spoke to Moses and had told him to act as a representative of God. Moses fulfilled God’s orders and acted on his behalf to the Israelites and the people of Egypt. He carried out God’s word, resulting in the fear of God in the Egyptians, and the praise amongst the
Israelites.
Ultimately, Moses should be considered an epic hero of the Holy Bible. Throughout Exodus, faces hardships brought on by Pharaoh, and even the Israelites themselves. Eventually, Moses was sent by God to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land after having spent four centuries enslaved to the Egyptians. Eventually through the miracles provided to him, Moses was able to save the Israelites, and lead them out of Egypt, and out of slavery.