Rev. Adam Hamilton - Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet

Adam Hamilton is a compelling storyteller. As in so much of his celebrated ministry, here he provides ready access to the riches of faith. In retelling this foundational narrative, he weaves into his account his own experience of the geography of Moses. Readers will find this book a helpful entry point into a story that makes welcome linkage between faith and historical reality.

Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, author of The Prophetic Imagination

Im always challenged, consistently inspired, and occasionally rocked by Adam Hamiltons leadership and teaching. His work on Moses challenges assumptions and prompts GOD-honoring action. Get it. Read it. Act on it.

Mark Beeson, Founding Pastor of Granger Community Church, Granger, IN

My congregation loves the way Adam Hamiltons books connect the Scriptures with our modern context. Im excited to share with them his latest work, Moses, and take them on a journey from Egypt through Sinai and on to the Promised Land.

Katie Z. Dawson, Lead Pastor of Immanuel UMC, Des Moines, author of All Earth Is Waiting

Some books on Moses are strictly academic; others are strictly devotional. In his trademark style, Adam Hamilton finds the best of both options and offers a centered portrayal of this extraordinary hero of the faith. There are so many rich insights in this book that it is best savored, not devoured, in the company of others. Just like manna from heaven.

-Magrey R. deVega, Senior Pastor of Hyde Park UMC, Tampa, author of Awaiting the Already

Adam Hamilton gives an insightful, compelling portrait of Moses. Based on sound biblical scholarship, he vividly describes the character of Moses, his life and times, his importance in the Hebrew Scriptures, and his profound significance for Christian faith.

Harold C. Washington, Professor of Hebrew Bible, Saint Paul School of Theology

Join Adam Hamilton as your tour guide in tracing the life story of Moses. Along the journey, Hamilton relates his first-hand experience visiting sites in Egypt and Jordan. The result is a pilgrimage experience, enriched with reflection on the meaning of Torah for the original authors and for contemporary Christians.

Thomas B. Dozeman, United Theological Seminary, author of Commentary on Exodus

Adam Hamilton has the remarkable gift of taking sometimes complex and extensive resources and making them both approachable and applicable. In his latest work, Moses, Hamilton uses the powerful tool of narrative to help us engage more deeply a story that many of us think of as familiar.

Sarah Heath, Lead Pastor of First UMC, Costa Mesa, CA, author of Whats Your Story?

Once again, Adam Hamilton shows hes a master teacher who guides his audience into lively conversation and deep thinking. His book Moses is a model of what it means to focus on the Bibles bold content with honesty and faithfulness. This is Bible study as it should be.

Matthew R. Schlimm, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, author of From Fratricide to Forgiveness

ADAM HAMILTON

In the Footsteps of the

RELUCTANT PROPHET

Moses

In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet

Copyright 2017 Abingdon Press

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Permissions, The United Methodist Publishing House, PO Box 280988, 2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228-0988, or e-mailed to .

This book is printed on elemental chlorine-free paper.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been requested.

978-1-5018-0788-6

Scripture quotations unless noted otherwise are from the Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.CommonEnglishBible.com.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To John Ed Mathison, one of the Jethros in my life,

and James Ridgeway, who made it possible
for me to walk in the footsteps of Moses

Moses.

He is the single most important figure in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). His presence is felt throughout the Christian New Testament. The epic account of his life, together with the deliverance of the Israelite slaves from bondage in Egypt, is the defining story of the Jewish people. The Jewish festivals of Sukkot (Tabernacles), Shavuot (Weeks), and Passover, as well as the holy days of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), are rooted in Moses story and the Law attributed to him, as is the weekly observance of the Sabbath among Jews.

For Christians, Moses life serves as the backdrop for much that is found in the Gospels, including the story of Jesus flight to Egypt, the Sermon on the Mount, many of Jesus sayings in the Gospel of John, the activities of Jesus around Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and the Crucifixion. In the Gospel account of Christs transfiguration, Moses actually appears to Jesus and speaks to him. Moses is mentioned by name more than seventy times in the New Testament, and his life, story, and commands are alluded to in nearly every New Testament book.

Throughout history, his story has continued to speak to each successive generation. American slaves composed songs about Moses as they yearned for freedom. Moses is enshrined in the architecture of the U.S. Supreme Courtinside on the south frieze as one of the great lawgivers of history and outside on the eastern pediment. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his final sermon delivered the night before his death, drew upon the story of Moses ascending Mount Nebo. King proclaimed that he had been to the mountaintop, where, like Moses, he claimed to have seen the Promised Land. Moses story has been captured in art, music, literature, and film.

The account of Moses and the Exodus was originally passed down from generation to generation orally since most Israelites at that time could not read or write. Instead they told storiesstories intended to entertain, to shape the identity of a people, and to teach them about God and Gods will for humankind. We often read these stories with a certain seriousness, but for centuries they were told around campfires after supper or to children before they were put to bed. The stories contain heroes and villains, suspense and intrigue, and no small amount of humor.