If you were to make a Mount Rushmore of Old Testament figures, who would you put on it? (One rule: you can’t say “Jesus.”)You’d probably put Abraham on it. After all, the three major western religions all trace their origins to Abraham. You might put Jacob on it. The Old Testament is the story of God and the nation of Israel, and who is Israel named after? Jacob, also known as “Israel.” You’d put David on it. His name pops up over 1000 times in the Old Testament (Abraham is only mentioned by name 175 times).

So, who would take the fourth spot?

It would have to be Moses. Moses is responsible for the first five books of the Bible. He led Israel out of slavery. He delivered the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the tabernacle. He helped establish the priesthood, led Israel through the desert, won several major battles, and kept Israel from turning back to Egypt or to other gods.

Moses did some great things, but one thing that we don’t immediately think about Moses is the unique relationship he had with God. He talked to God unlike any other person in the Old Testament. Abraham mostly listened to God and did what he said. Jacob struggled even to know God. David was passionate about God, but the Bible doesn’t mention them talking very often. Moses and God, on the other hand, talked a lot. They even argued. They were friends. The Book of Deuteronomy says about Moses after his death, “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10 ESV).

This week, we are going to launch a new series on the life of Moses. We are going to be in Exodus 2:1–10 and we are going to see how Moses’ parents set him up to have this unique relationship with God.

See you on Sunday!