Moses & The Exodus (Clicking on an event in the large timeline above will bring related information to this lower section.  Click here if you do not see the timeline above.)

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. 

The first 40 years of his life were spent in Egypt learning first from his mother about God (for 12 years) and then learning from Pharaoh the skills needed to run Egypt.  One day when he saw one of his own people being beaten he tried to take things into his own hands and killed an Egyptian.  Because of this impulsive act he had to flee from Egypt and from Pharaoh.

Moses spent the next 40 years working as a shepherd for Jethro in Midian.  God needed to teach Moses patience and trust.  Working with the sheep day after day taught him both.  The Bible says that Moses became the meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3).

Moses married Zipporah (Jethro's daughter) and together they had two sons.

When Moses was 80 years old God told him to return to Egypt and He would free the Israelites from slavery.  He gave Moses specific directions on what to do and say.  (Moses was also told ahead of time that Pharaoh would not let the people go at first.)

Finally, after God sent 10 plagues on the Egyptians, Pharaoh sent for Moses and told him to take the Israelites out of Egypt.  (It is interesting to note here that of these 10 plagues, the last 7 plagues that fell on Egypt did not fall on the Israelites.  Compare this to the 7 Last Plagues of Revelation that will not fall on God's people.)

After leaving Egypt the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, were given Manna to eat and water to drink, were reminded of the Laws of God at Mt. Sinai and saw many other manifestations proving that it was God who was leading them, but when they finally arrived at the Land of Canaan they still did not trust God.  Because of their distrust they were forced to spend 40 years (total) in the wilderness before they were ready to follow the instructions of God.

While on the way to the Promised Land the people complained of not having water, or food.  God told Moses to strike a specific rock once and He would send water, but Moses lost his temper with the people and struck the rock twice.  Because of that one sin Moses was told that he would not be allowed into the Promised Land (Canaan).  Moses died at the end of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, but before he died God allowed him to see into Canaan.  (Moses was very disappointed that he could not go into Canaan, but He still trusted in His Creator.  God had a much better plan for him, as you will see below.)

There is one more event related to Moses that must be mentioned.  In the New Testament book of Jude we are told that the Lord took Moses' body after he died.  When Jesus was "Transfigured" on the mountain, one of the two beings who spoke with Jesus was Moses.  Moses had been resurrected and taken to heaven.  He represents God's people who will die and then be  resurrected and taken to heaven when Jesus returns.  (The other being that spoke to Jesus on the "Mount of Transfiguration" was Enoch who had never died (Genesis 5:24) and had been taken to heaven.  Enoch represents God's people who will be translated, meaning that they will be taken to heaven, when Jesus returns, without ever dying.) As mentioned above, God had a much better plan for Moses than just being able to go into Canaan.  (And God has a better plan for you.  In fact, He always wants the best for you, because He really does love you.  Let Him prove it to you personally so that you will know you can trust Him.)

Of course this is just a very short summary, so for more details click on an event in the timeline above.

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