The Law and the Leader: God’s Covenant with Moses
This article explores topics and excerpts from the newly released book Journey Through the Bible and Your Story, now available on Amazon.
The story of Moses is one of rescue, obedience, and covenant. Born around 1526 BC during a time of great oppression in Egypt, Moses was miraculously preserved when Pharaoh ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed. Found in a basket among the reeds of the Nile, he was raised in Pharaoh’s household but never forgot his Hebrew identity. After killing an Egyptian taskmaster, Moses fled to the wilderness of Midian where he lived for forty years tending sheep and raising a family.
At the age of 80, Moses encountered God in a burning bush on Mount Horeb. In this divine encounter, God called him to return to Egypt and deliver His people from bondage. Despite initial reluctance, Moses obeyed. With his brother Aaron, he stood before Pharaoh, declaring God's command: “Let My people go.” When Pharaoh refused, God sent ten devastating plagues, culminating in the death of Egypt’s firstborn. This final judgment led to Israel’s release and established the Feast of Passover—a lasting reminder of God’s deliverance through the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12).
After crossing the Red Sea by God’s miraculous hand, Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai. There, God established the Mosaic Covenant—a conditional covenant built on obedience to His Law. The Ten Commandments, given by God on stone tablets, formed the moral foundation of this covenant, but the full law included 613 commandments touching every aspect of Israel’s worship, civic life, and moral conduct. As Exodus 19:6 states, God's desire was for Israel to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
Yet this covenant came with both promise and warning. Blessings would follow obedience, but curses would come with rebellion (Deuteronomy 28). The Law revealed the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. It did not save but pointed forward to the need for a Redeemer. As Paul later wrote, “The Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ” (Galatians 3:24).
The sacrificial system instituted under Moses foreshadowed Christ’s atoning work, yet it could never fully remove sin (Hebrews 10:1–4). Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matthew 5:17), inaugurating a New Covenant—one marked by grace, relationship, and dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:13).
While the Mosaic Covenant was temporary, it was vital in preparing hearts and minds for the Messiah. Through Moses, God not only delivered a people but also revealed His character and plan for redemption. As we journey through the Bible, Moses stands as a servant leader shaped by faith, obedience, and the hand of God—pointing us to the greater Deliverer to come.
