Cara J. Stevens - Superheroes of the Bible: Action and Adventure Stories about Real-Life Heroes

T HE S TORY OF M OSES

A SERIES OF STRANGE EVENTS CREATED A HERO WHO RESCUED HIS PEOPLE FROM SLAVERY.

M oses was a miracle from the start. At the time he was born, his Israelite people were slaves to the Egyptians. The Egyptians feared their slaves might turn against them, and they feared how many Israelites were being born. So the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, ordered his people to drown all Israelite baby boys in the river.

When Mosess mother gave birth to a boy, she hid him for three months to protect him. When she couldnt hide him any longer, she placed him in a basket in the tall grass by the river. His sister watched to see what would happen.

Of all people, Pharaohs daughter found the baby. Although she knew he wasnt Egyptian, she adopted him as her own. Thanks to his sister Miriam, Mosess own mother was hired to take care of him.

GOD KEPT MOSES SAFE FOR A BIG ADVENTURE.

We dont know how, but as Moses grew up, he knew he was not an Egyptian. He felt connected to his true people of Israel. One day, he saw an Egyptian soldier beating a slave. Moses could not contain his anger, and he killed the soldier. When Pharaoh found out, he was very angry.

Moses ran away to a place called Midian, where he was welcomed by a priest and his daughters. Moses fell in love with one of the daughters, Zipporah, and he married her. He stayed in Midian for a long time, taking care of sheep and living a quiet life.

M OSES WANTED TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM SLAVERY .

During this time, the old Pharaoh died and a new Pharaoh took his place. Still, Mosess people were kept as slaves and were treated very badly. No one knew what to do, so they prayed for answers.

One day, Moses was caring for his sheep when he came upon a very unusual sight. A bush was on fire. But it wasnt an ordinary fire. The bush was in flames, but the fire was not spreading. The bush wasnt turning black or becoming ashes. As he went closer to investigate, a voice from the bush called his name!

Moses knew that this voice was God.

I am here! he called back.

I am sending you to free the Israelites from Pharaoh, God told him.

MOSES HEARD GOD SPEAK FROM A BURNING BUSH!

Moses was surprisedand afraid. He was just one ordinary man. How could he, a shepherd, challenge a mighty pharaoh and win? I will be with you, God told him. Not only did God promise to lead Moses and guide him, but also to provide miracles to prove to the Israelites and Pharaoh that Moses had God on his side.

Throw your shepherds staff on the ground, God told Moses. Moses obeyed. As soon as the staff hit the earth, it transformed into a snake! Then God instructed Moses to pick the snake up by its tail. He did, and the snake turned back into a staff.

MOSESS STAFF TURNED INTO A SNAKE!

God told Moses that he would give him other miracles, too, but still Moses was unsure. Finally, God offered to send Mosess brother Aaron to help him. Together they would help free the slaves and lead their people to a new land. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and demanded that he let the slaves go. Of course, Pharaoh said no. In fact, Pharaoh made the slaves work even harder.

But Moses and Aaron did not give up. They went back to Pharaoh. To convince Pharaoh of Gods power, Aaron threw his staff on the ground just as Moses had. It turned into a snake as soon as it hit the ground. Pharaoh wasnt impressed. He brought in magicians who performed the same trick. Aarons snake then ate the magicians snakes, but still Pharaoh was not afraid. He sent Moses and Aaron away. He would not let the slaves go.

Again Moses and Aaron returned. Moses told Pharaoh to let their people go or he would turn the water in the river into blood. When Pharaoh said no once more, Aaron struck the water with his staff and the clear, clean water turned dark red. The fish died, and a terrible smell rose up from the river. Still Pharaoh stood his ground, because his magicians did the same with their tricks. He sent Moses and Aaron away.