Poetry · Chapter
Moses explained
This chapter recounts the life of Moses, from his princely upbringing in Pharaoh's court to his calling as a shepherd in Midian and his ultimate death on Mount Nebo.
What happens
This chapter recounts the life of Moses, from his princely upbringing in Pharaoh's court to his calling as a shepherd in Midian and his ultimate death on Mount Nebo. It emphasizes his deep devotion to his enslaved people, his violent act against an Egyptian overseer, his flight, his encounter with the burning bush, and his final vision of the Promised Land before dying alone, buried by angels.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Liberation
Moses' entire mission is to lead his captive race to freedom, renouncing the splendor of Pharaoh's court for the cause of liberation.
Resilience and Sacrifice
Moses' life is described as a 'lengthened sacrifice' and a 'deep devotion to his race,' enduring exile and personal loss for his people.
Faith and Divine Justice
Moses' faith in God sustains him; the burning bush and God's decree about his death emphasize divine justice and purpose.
Hope and Redemption
The promise of deliverance and the vision of the Promised Land provide hope, and Moses' soul enters heaven, symbolizing redemption.
Characters to notice
- Moses
Central figure; renounces Egyptian royalty to lead his people, witnesses oppression, kills an Egyptian, flees to Midian, receives divine calling at the burning bush, and dies on Nebo after viewing the Promised Land.
- Pharaoh
Implied as the ruler whose officers oppress the Hebrews and whose daughter raised Moses.
- The People
The Hebrew slaves who mourn Moses' departure and later his death; they are the collective recipients of his leadership.
- Aaron
Moses' brother, mentioned as having died in Hor and as one of the three children listening to their mother's stories.
- Miriam
Moses' sister, mentioned as having died and been buried in Kadesh.
- Princess Charmian
Pharaoh's daughter who raised Moses; she parts from him sorrowfully when he chooses to join his people.
- Joshua
Moses' successor, to whom his charge is laid before Moses' death.
- Sarah
Referenced in the mother's story as Abraham's wife and mother of Isaac.
Key passages
“His work was done; his blessing lay / Like precious ointment on his people’s head, / And God’s great peace was resting on his soul.”
Moses completed his mission, leaving a blessing on his people and experiencing divine peace.
Describes the end of Moses' life and his spiritual legacy.
“Then Moses’ wrath o’erflowed / His lips, and every nerve did tremble / With a sense of wrong, and bounding forth he / Cried unto the smiter, 'Stay thy hand; seest thou / That aged man?'”
Moses became enraged at an Egyptian beating an old Hebrew slave and intervened.
Depicts Moses' first act of resistance against oppression.
“And thus they parted, / She to brood in silence o’er her pain, and he / To take his mission from the hands of God / And lead his captive race to freedom.”
Princess Charmian and Moses separated; she grieved while he accepted his divine calling to free the Hebrews.
Highlights the personal cost of Moses' choice and the beginning of his prophetic mission.
“And when the grave was finished, / They trod with golden sandals / Above the sacred spot, / And the brightest, fairest flowers / Sprang up beneath their tread.”
Angels buried Moses in a secret grave, and flowers grew where they walked.
Poetic depiction of Moses' mysterious burial by angels.
