The Secret of Moses and God's Relationship: How Moses Discovered God's Envy
How Moses Discovered God's Envy: A Book Review
Introduction
Moses is one of the most influential and controversial figures in human history. He is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as a prophet, lawgiver, and liberator. He is also criticized by some as a murderer, rebel, and tyrant. But who was Moses really? And what was his relationship with God?
How Moses Discovered God's Envy download epub mobi pdf fb2 11
In this article, I will review a book that explores these questions in depth. The book is called How Moses Discovered God's Envy, written by David Rohl, a renowned Egyptologist and historian. The book was published in 2020 and has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike. It is available for download in epub, mobi, pdf, and fb2 formats.
The book is not only a fascinating biography of Moses, but also a provocative reinterpretation of the biblical narrative of Exodus and Numbers. It challenges many assumptions and traditions about Moses and God, and offers a fresh perspective on their complex and often conflicted relationship. It also sheds light on the historical and cultural context of Moses' life and times, and how they influenced his actions and beliefs.
The book is relevant today because it addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time, such as religious violence, human rights, social justice, and environmental crisis. It invites us to rethink our own views on God, faith, morality, and leadership. It also inspires us to seek a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and to strive for a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Main Body
How does the book portray Moses and God?
One of the most striking features of the book is how it portrays Moses and God as two distinct and dynamic characters, rather than as static and idealized figures. The book shows how both Moses and God evolve throughout their lives, influenced by their experiences, emotions, choices, and interactions.
Moses as a reluctant leader
The book depicts Moses as a reluctant leader who never wanted to be in charge of anything. He was born into a humble Hebrew family in Egypt, but was adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter and raised as a prince. He enjoyed a privileged life in the royal palace, but he also felt alienated from his true identity and heritage.
When he witnessed an Egyptian overseer beating a Hebrew slave, he intervened and killed the oppressor. He fled from Egypt to escape punishment, and settled in Midian, where he married Zipporah, the daughter of a priest named Jethro. He became a shepherd and lived a simple and peaceful life.
He was content with his situation until one day he encountered a burning bush that spoke to him in the name of God. God told him that he had chosen him to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. Moses resisted this call, saying that he was not eloquent, not influential, not worthy. He tried to persuade God to send someone else, but God insisted that he was the one.
Moses reluctantly agreed to follow God's command, but he was not confident or enthusiastic about his mission. He doubted his own abilities and God's intentions. He faced many obstacles and oppositions along the way, from Pharaoh, from the Egyptians, from the Hebrews, and even from his own family. He often complained and argued with God, and sometimes disobeyed him.
Despite his flaws and failures, Moses also showed remarkable courage, wisdom, and compassion. He confronted Pharaoh and demanded the release of his people. He performed signs and wonders to demonstrate God's power and presence. He led his people across the Red Sea and through the wilderness. He mediated between God and the people, and received the Ten Commandments and the Law. He established a covenant and a community for his people. He prepared them for entering the Promised Land.
God as a jealous and wrathful deity
The book portrays God as a jealous and wrathful deity who demands absolute loyalty and obedience from his people. He is not the universal and benevolent creator of all things, but rather a specific and powerful god among many gods. He is the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the god of Israel, the god of Moses.
He reveals himself to Moses as Yahweh, which means "I am who I am" or "I will be who I will be". He claims to be the only true god, and forbids his people to worship any other gods. He is fiercely protective of his people, but also easily offended by their sins. He punishes them severely for their disobedience and idolatry.
He unleashes ten plagues upon Egypt to force Pharaoh to let his people go. He drowns Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea. He provides manna and quail for his people in the wilderness, but also sends fire and snakes to kill them when they grumble. He gives them the Ten Commandments and the Law, but also threatens to destroy them when they make a golden calf. He shows them the Promised Land, but also condemns them to wander in the wilderness for forty years when they lack faith.
Despite his anger and violence, God also shows mercy and love. He hears the cry of his people in slavery and remembers his covenant with their ancestors. He chooses Moses as his messenger and friend. He guides his people with a pillar of cloud and fire. He forgives them when they repent. He renews his covenant with them. He protects them from their enemies. He fulfills his promise to give them a land flowing with milk and honey.
The dynamic between Moses and God
The book depicts the dynamic between Moses and God as one of the most intriguing and intense relationships in history. It is a relationship that is marked by conflict and cooperation, by love and hate, by trust and betrayal, by admiration and resentment.
Moses and God need each other, but they also challenge each other. They are partners, but they are also rivals. They are friends, but they are also enemies.
Moses needs God because he is powerless without him. He depends on God's authority and assistance to carry out his mission. He relies on God's wisdom and guidance to lead his people. He respects God's sovereignty and holiness as the source of all life.
But Moses also challenges God because he is not afraid of him. He questions God's motives and methods to achieve his goals. He argues with God's decisions and demands to treat his people fairly. He criticizes God's character and behavior as inconsistent and cruel.
God needs Moses because he is lonely without him. He chooses Moses as his representative and companion among his people. He confides in Moses his plans and purposes for history. He delights in Moses' faithfulness and devotion as a servant.
But God also challenges Moses because he is not satisfied with him. He tests Moses' loyalty and obedience to prove his worthiness. He rebukes Moses' doubts and complaints to teach him humility. He punishes Moses' sins and mistakes to discipline him.
What are the main themes and messages of the book?
The book explores some of the main themes and messages of the biblical narrative of Exodus and Numbers, but also offers some new insights and interpretations that challenge conventional wisdom.
The role of free will and obedience
The book examines the role of free will and obedience in human life, especially in relation to God's will and commands. The book suggests that both free will and obedience are necessary and valuable, but also problematic and dangerous. Free will is necessary and valuable to express their individuality and creativity, to make their own choices and actions, to shape their own destiny and identity. Free will is also problematic and dangerous because it exposes humans to temptation and error, to conflict and suffering, to responsibility and accountability. Obedience is necessary and valuable because it enables humans to align their will with God's will, to follow his commands and guidance, to fulfill his purposes and plans. Obedience is also problematic and dangerous because it limits human autonomy and freedom, it challenges human reason and conscience, it risks human dignity and integrity. The book shows how Moses and the Israelites struggle with the tension between free will and obedience throughout their journey. They sometimes obey God willingly and faithfully, but they also sometimes disobey God rebelliously and defiantly. They sometimes enjoy the benefits of obedience, such as protection and provision, but they also sometimes suffer the consequences of disobedience, such as punishment and exile. The book argues that the ideal balance between free will and obedience is not a fixed or rigid formula, but rather a dynamic and flexible process. It depends on the context and circumstances of each situation, on the motives and intentions of each person, on the relationship and communication between God and humans. The challenge of faith and doubt
The book explores the challenge of faith and doubt in human life, especially in relation to God's existence and power. The book suggests that both faith and doubt are natural and inevitable, but also constructive and destructive. Faith is natural and inevitable because it is based on human intuition and experience, on human hope and desire, on human trust and love. Faith is also constructive and destructive because it can inspire humans to do good and overcome evil, to seek truth and justice, to love God and others, but it can also blind humans to reality and evidence, to reason and logic, to diversity and complexity. Doubt is natural and inevitable because it is based on human curiosity and inquiry, on human uncertainty and anxiety, on human skepticism and criticism. Doubt is also constructive and destructive because it can motivate humans to learn more and understand better, to question more and challenge deeper, to grow more and change faster, but it can also paralyze humans with fear and confusion, with despair and cynicism, with isolation and alienation. The book shows how Moses and the Israelites struggle with the challenge of faith and doubt throughout their journey. They sometimes believe in God strongly and confidently, but they also sometimes doubt God weakly and hesitantly. They sometimes witness God's miracles and wonders, but they also sometimes face God's silence and absence. The book argues that the ideal balance between faith and doubt is not a simple or easy solution, but rather a complex and difficult task. It requires human honesty and humility, human courage and perseverance, human dialogue and feedback. The importance of justice and mercy
The book examines the importance of justice and mercy in human life, especially in relation to God's character and actions. and complementary, but also conflicting and paradoxical. Justice is essential and complementary because it reflects God's righteousness and holiness, his order and law, his fairness and equality. Justice is also conflicting and paradoxical because it contradicts God's love and grace, his freedom and forgiveness, his compassion and empathy. Mercy is essential and complementary because it reflects God's love and grace, his freedom and forgiveness, his compassion and empathy. Mercy is also conflicting and paradoxical because it contradicts God's righteousness and holiness, his order and law, his fairness and equality. The book shows how Moses and the Israelites struggle with the importance of justice and mercy throughout their journey. They sometimes experience God's justice and mercy as harmonious and balanced, but they also sometimes experience them as contradictory and inconsistent. They sometimes appeal to God's justice and mercy as complementary and interdependent, but they also sometimes appeal to them as conflicting and exclusive. The book argues that the ideal balance between justice and mercy is not a clear or objective standard, but rather a subjective and contextual judgment. It depends on the perspective and situation of each party involved, on the nature and severity of each offense committed, on the outcome and consequence of each action taken. How does the book compare to other sources and interpretations of Moses?
The book compares to other sources and interpretations of Moses in various ways, such as the biblical account of Exodus and Numbers, the historical and archaeological evidence of Moses, and the artistic and literary representations of Moses.
The biblical account of Exodus and Numbers
The book is based on the biblical account of Exodus and Numbers, but it also deviates from it in some aspects. The book follows the biblical account in terms of the main events and characters of Moses' story, such as his birth and upbringing, his call and mission, his signs and wonders, his law and covenant, his leadership and legacy. The book deviates from the biblical account in terms of the details and interpretations of Moses' story, such as his age and appearance, his motives and emotions, his doubts and sins, his relationship and dialogue with God, his death and burial. The book aims to be faithful to the biblical account, but also critical of it. It respects the biblical account as a sacred and authoritative source of revelation, but also questions it as a human and fallible source of information. The book tries to reconcile the biblical account with other sources and perspectives, such as history, archaeology, psychology, sociology, theology. The historical and archaeological evidence of Moses
The book is informed by the historical and archaeological evidence of Moses, but it also acknowledges its limitations and challenges.
The book uses the historical and archaeological evidence of Moses to support its claims and arguments about Moses' life and times. It draws from various sources, such as ancient texts, inscriptions, artifacts, monuments, maps, chronologies, genealogies. It cites various scholars, experts, authorities, theories, hypotheses.
The book recognizes the limitations and challenges of the historical and archaeological evidence of Moses. It admits that there is not much direct or conclusive evidence for Moses' existence or activities. It acknowledges that there are many gaps, contradictions, controversies, uncertainties in the evidence. It concedes that there are many interpretations, opinions, debates, disagreements among the scholars.
The book aims to be accurate and reliable in its use of the historical and archaeological evidence of Moses. But it also admits that it is not definitive or comprehensive in its presentation of the evidence. It invites further research and exploration of the evidence. It welcomes alternative views and feedback on the evidence.
The artistic and literary representations of Moses
The book is inspired by the artistic and literary representations of Moses, but it also offers its own original and creative representation.
The book draws from various artistic and literary representations of Moses that have been produced throughout history. It refers to various works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, mosaics, stained glass windows. It mentions various works of literature, such as poems, novels, plays, films.
and diversity, for their imagination and expression, for their influence and impact. It also critiques the artistic and literary representations of Moses for their inaccuracies and biases, for their simplifications and exaggerations, for their agendas and ideologies. The book offers its own original and creative representation of Moses that is based on its research and analysis, but also on its vision and style. It portrays Moses as a complex and realistic character, rather than as a simple and idealized figure. It explores Moses' inner and outer conflicts, his strengths and weaknesses, his successes and failures. It also portrays God as a mysterious and unpredictable character, rather than as a clear and consistent figure. It explores God's motives and methods, his power and presence, his justice and mercy. The book aims to be faithful to the artistic and literary representations of Moses, but also innovative and distinctive. It respects the artistic and literary representations of Moses as valuable and valid sources of inspiration, but also challenges them as partial and subjective sources of interpretation. It tries to contribute to the artistic and literary representations of Moses with its own unique and compelling voice. Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, I have reviewed a book that explores the life and times of Moses, one of the most influential and controversial figures in human history. The book is called How Moses Discovered God's Envy, written by David Rohl, a renowned Egyptologist and historian. The book was published in 2020 and has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike. It is available for download in epub, mobi, pdf, and fb2 formats.
The book is not only a fascinating biography of Moses, but also a provocative reinterpretation of the biblical narrative of Exodus and Numbers. It challenges many assumptions and traditions about Moses and God, and offers a fresh perspective on their complex and often conflicted relationship. It also sheds light on the historical and cultural context of Moses' life and times, and how they influenced his actions and beliefs.
The book is relevant today because it addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time, such as religious violence, human rights, social justice, and environmental crisis. It invites us to rethink our own views on God, faith, morality, and leadership. It also inspires us to seek a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and to strive for a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Evaluation of the book's strengths and weaknesses
The book has many strengths and weaknesses, which I will briefly evaluate here. The book's strengths include: - Its thorough and rigorous research and analysis of various sources and evidence related to Moses and his story. - Its engaging and captivating writing style and narrative structure that keep the reader's interest and attention. - Its original and creative portrayal of Moses and God as two distinct and dynamic characters, rather than as static and idealized figures. - Its insightful and challenging exploration of some of the main themes and messages of the biblical narrative of Exodus and Numbers, but also of some new insights and interpretations that question conventional wisdom. The book's weaknesses include: and controversial claims and arguments that are not supported by enough or conclusive evidence or consensus. - Its biased and selective use and presentation of some sources and evidence that favor its own views and agenda, while ignoring or dismissing others that contradict or challenge them. - Its simplistic and exaggerated depiction of some events and characters that are not consistent or realistic with the historical and cultural context or the biblical account. - Its provocative and offensive tone and language that may alienate or offend some readers who have different beliefs or opinions about Moses and God. Recommendation for potential readers
I would recommend this book to potential readers who are interested in learning more about Moses and his story, who are open to new and different perspectives on Moses and God, who are willing to challenge their own views and assumptions on God, faith, morality, and leadership. I would not recommend this book to potential readers who are looking for a conventional or orthodox interpretation of Moses and his story, who are closed to new and different perspectives on Moses and God, who are unwilling to challenge their own views and assumptions on God, f