Mhuri
Muneni
Muneni
Question:
Moses was more than a prophet. Discuss.
Moses was more than a prophet. Discuss.
A prophet is a servant
of God. He is a messenger of Yahweh according to B.W Anderson. This means that
what the prophet says is Yahweh’s will. Moses is a typical prophetic figure
whose traits are above those of an ordinary prophet. He performed quite a
number of roles which qualifies him to be regarded as being more than a
prophet.
of God. He is a messenger of Yahweh according to B.W Anderson. This means that
what the prophet says is Yahweh’s will. Moses is a typical prophetic figure
whose traits are above those of an ordinary prophet. He performed quite a
number of roles which qualifies him to be regarded as being more than a
prophet.
•As a prophet of Yahweh, Moses received his prophetic
call when he was herding Jethro’s sheep. According to A. Marara, a prophetic
call is one of the important signatures of a true prophet. Moses received a
call which is a testimony enough to call him a prophet.
call when he was herding Jethro’s sheep. According to A. Marara, a prophetic
call is one of the important signatures of a true prophet. Moses received a
call which is a testimony enough to call him a prophet.
After receiving a call,
the prophet will then be commissioned. Commissioning refers to a situation when
the prophet is given a mandate to accomplish. This is what happened to Moses
when he was tasked to redeem the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. This,
therefore, proves that Moses was a typical example of a prophetic figure.
the prophet will then be commissioned. Commissioning refers to a situation when
the prophet is given a mandate to accomplish. This is what happened to Moses
when he was tasked to redeem the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. This,
therefore, proves that Moses was a typical example of a prophetic figure.
In addition to the
above, Moses performed some intercessory roles. A prophet is an ambassador of
Yahweh whose mandate is to intercede for the people. R.A.B Ewbank posits that
prophets are intercessors; they pray on behalf of the people just like what
Moses did during the exodus when the Israelites were complaining. This, therefore,
proves that he was a prophet. He was a fearless person in terms of executing
Yahweh’s commands.
above, Moses performed some intercessory roles. A prophet is an ambassador of
Yahweh whose mandate is to intercede for the people. R.A.B Ewbank posits that
prophets are intercessors; they pray on behalf of the people just like what
Moses did during the exodus when the Israelites were complaining. This, therefore,
proves that he was a prophet. He was a fearless person in terms of executing
Yahweh’s commands.
B. W .Anderson
describes Moses as a prophet par excellence. This may be taken to imply that he
was more than a mere prophet. He is the only prophet who spoke to God face to
face as if he was talking to a friend. (Deuteronomy 34:10).
describes Moses as a prophet par excellence. This may be taken to imply that he
was more than a mere prophet. He is the only prophet who spoke to God face to
face as if he was talking to a friend. (Deuteronomy 34:10).
As a prophet, Moses was
chosen by Yahweh to be the mediator of the Sinai Covenant which became the
backbone of the messages of future prophets.
chosen by Yahweh to be the mediator of the Sinai Covenant which became the
backbone of the messages of future prophets.
According to J. Hayes,
the Deuteronomic assessment of Moses as a prophet is clearly shown in the
incident of the 70 elders with whom he shared his spirit with and they
prophesied ecstatically. This amongst many other examples, suggest that Moses
exercised a variety of other functions, like his political roles through his
negotiations with the Egyptian pharaoh.
the Deuteronomic assessment of Moses as a prophet is clearly shown in the
incident of the 70 elders with whom he shared his spirit with and they
prophesied ecstatically. This amongst many other examples, suggest that Moses
exercised a variety of other functions, like his political roles through his
negotiations with the Egyptian pharaoh.
Moses was however more
than a simple prophet, He also performed other roles. He was a lawmaker as
evidenced by his mediation of the Decalogue. It is for this reason that
Donfleming calls him a lawgiver.
than a simple prophet, He also performed other roles. He was a lawmaker as
evidenced by his mediation of the Decalogue. It is for this reason that
Donfleming calls him a lawgiver.
He also performed some
leadership roles in connection with most of his activities. Some might argue
that Moses was more than a prophet because of his multiple roles. VonRadd posits
that he was a political leader who was made a prophet by later editors. Others,
however, argue that these roles arose naturally through the nature of his call
and the circumstances under which he exercised his prophetic responsibilities.
Furthermore, some scholars do argue that there is so much evidence of intense
editorial activity in connection with the OT portrait of Moses, which is
idealized and anachronistic (e.g. Numbers 11).
leadership roles in connection with most of his activities. Some might argue
that Moses was more than a prophet because of his multiple roles. VonRadd posits
that he was a political leader who was made a prophet by later editors. Others,
however, argue that these roles arose naturally through the nature of his call
and the circumstances under which he exercised his prophetic responsibilities.
Furthermore, some scholars do argue that there is so much evidence of intense
editorial activity in connection with the OT portrait of Moses, which is
idealized and anachronistic (e.g. Numbers 11).
Moses’ real role can no
longer be described accurately. He was a leader of the Israelite nation.
However his other roles came from the spiritual capacity he had of being a
prophet, hence he was more than just a prophet.
longer be described accurately. He was a leader of the Israelite nation.
However his other roles came from the spiritual capacity he had of being a
prophet, hence he was more than just a prophet.
Mhuri Muneni is a
teacher at Errymaple High School, Zvishane.
teacher at Errymaple High School, Zvishane.
He is a holder of B.A
degree, as we as a post graduate Diploma in Education.
degree, as we as a post graduate Diploma in Education.
