Text: Exodus 1-6

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 10-11

BYU Lecture 17: Moses, the grandson of Levi, is born. The Israelites had now been in Egypt for 215 years (a total of 430 years since Abraham arrived in Canaan). Moses was born while the Israelites were in slavery due to a previous dynasty change in Egyption leadership. At this time, the Pharoah required the Israelite male babies, as soon as they were born, to be killed by drowning. The purpose of this was two-fold: One, to limit the Hebrew population growth, and Two, to diminished the ability and opportunity for a military uprising and rebellion by Israel.

Baby Moses is hidden for 3 months and finally placed in a basket, set out on the Nile River, and then miraculously rescued by the daughter of Pharoah. As she could have no children, she convinced Pharoah to accept this Hebrew baby as her child and the future heir to the throne. He accepts the baby as a rightful grandson, much to the jealousy and hatred of the Pharoah priests.

At the age of 40, Moses, the crown prince, desired to be with his people, the Israelites. After killing a cruel Egyptian taskmaster, Moses was exiled from Egypt and he fled to Midian, hundreds of miles away. Moses meets Jethro, receives the Melchizedek Priesthood from him, and marries one of his daughters.

At the age of 80, while feeding his flocks, Moses sees and investigates a burning bush on Mount Sinai. He is told to remove his shoes (leave behind worldly things) and talks with God. Moses is called to return to Egypt and go to Pharoah, demanding the release of the Israelites.

In a follow up revelation, Moses see’s the history of the world and the Lord dictates to Moses what he records as the book of Genesis. The law of circumcision is given, and Moses leaves Midian, Jethro and his family as he departs to Egypt. To his joy and amazement, his brother Aaron finds Moses and accompanies him back across the desert into Egypt.