Gibbs Gresge

Miss. Akers

Honors English 9

16 October 2017

Throughout the Bible, there are stories of people who have suffered in order to achieve a

greater goal. In the book of Exodus, Moses suffered in order to bring the Hebrews out of Egypt.

Moses sacrificed his life in Midian, his chance to be in royalty, and the last 40 years of his life in

order to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, and into a better life.

The first way Moses sacrificed himself is that he gave up his chances of being the next

Pharaoh of Egypt. One day in Mosess later years he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew: He

looked this and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (110).

Then he fled from Egypt to Midian. Because he defended the Hebrew he threw away his chances

of becoming Pharaoh of Egypt, since killing an Egyptian would get Moses killed by the Pharaoh.

This event would spark many more actions that he would do to help the Hebrews.

After Moses fled out of Egypt he quickly found a new job in Midian, working on a

plantation. When Moses was walking he stumbled upon a burning bush. This bush revealed that

it was God. God said to Moses I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I

have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come to

deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may

bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt (112). Moses had to leave his life as a

quiet farmer because the journey would take over forty years. Moses chose to sacrifice his life to

do God's bidding and he knew his actions would be benevolent towards the Hebrews. When God

asked Moses to lead the Hebrews he said he was inept to lead because he had trouble speaking:
I am slow of speech and of tongue (112). In Mosess life as a farmer he had no activities that

required him being in a position of leadership. Moses overcoming his fear of speaking to a crowd

shows that hes willing to do almost anything, even suffering through his biggest fears. Moses

going to confront the Pharaoh means hes going to have to go back to the place where he is a

criminal. Going back to a place where you were once in line for royalty, and throw it all away for

a minority is challenging. Moses suffers because he must confront his family that wants him

dead. Moses leaving his entire life behind shows how he is willing to do anything to help the

Hebrews even if it involves leaving your life behind.

The Final way Moses suffered is that he donated the last 40 years of his life to the

journey of leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. When Moses walked on top of Mount Sinai God

said: Behold, the days approach when you must die You are about to sleep with your fathers

(138). The journey took approximately 40 years to accomplish. All of these years Moses never

took any time to spend time to do his own bidding. This shows that Moses is willing to sacrifice

his life, and suffer through having no free time for the last 40 years of his life.

Mosess suffering is all due to the fact that he decided to help the Hebrews. He suffered

when he had to sacrifice his life in Midian; he also suffered from his fear of leading the

Hebrews. He again suffered when he sacrificed the last 40 years of his life and his chances in

royalty. To sacrifice your whole life and its pleasures to lead an improbable journey makes

Moses a tragic hero since he suffered through leaving his whole life behind.