Book of Exodus Reputation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #1

He answered, "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "Surely the thing is known." (NRSV 2:14)

And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. (KJV 2:14)

Here it is: the event that sends Moses on his long journey. The writers are very careful to say that Moses killed the Egyptian when no one was around, so how did these guys find out? The implication is that stuff like this lingers in people's minds. You can run, Moses, but you can't hide.

Quote #2

They said, "An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." He said to his daughters, "Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread." Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, "I have been an alien residing in a foreign land." (NRSV 2:19-22)

And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

Does this passage give Moses a kind of hero status? Why? And why does it all go down so quickly? It seems like a lot of life to cover in three measly verses. When the Bible wants to zip, it zips.

Quote #3

But this is why I have let you live: to show you my power, and to make my name resound through all the earth. (NRSV 9:16)

And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (KJV 9:16)

You heard him. God is doing this to prove himself. Think about how our politicians work: you often have to cultivate an image before you get elected, right? It was no different for God.