Moses 5

(20-17-40)

     God asked, “What is in your right hand, Moses?”

     Moses replied, “It is my staff. I take support from it; moreover, it helps me in shaking the leaves from the trees for my sheep, and it is beneficial to me in many other ways.”

     God said, “Lay it down.”

     Moses did as he was told.  When he looked back he saw that his staff was changed into a moving snake.  

     God said, “Catch it.  Don’t be afraid.  We will change it into your staff again.  Put your hand into your armpit and take it out.  It will come out shining and without any defect.  That is the second sign for you.  It is only the beginning; We are going to show you many great signs in the future.”

     These are the literal meanings of these verses.  However, when they are taken as metaphors or similes to describe the abstract truth, they yield deeper meanings.

      If we take them as metaphors, their meanings are as follows.  When God had given the directions to Moses He said, “How do you find them?”  Moses replied, “These directions are great support for me in life.  I will depend on them; and with their help I am going to shake the Israelites from their slumber.  Furthermore, I will seek guidance from them in crises and turning points in my life.”  Moses measured and critically examined the plan, and found it equivalent to a gliding snake.  God told him to fearlessly adhere to the directions.  He added, “Go, present the program to the people; with the help of clear reason, factual presentation of the truth, and persuasive logic, you are going to be successful without any loss.  This success will prove that you are right and your enemies are wrong.  These laws are given to you, and with their help a great change is going to take place in the society. “

     During the revelation, the word snake appears many times.  In surah 28-31, God said to Moses, “Lay down your staff.”  Moses laid it. When he looked, it was moving as if it were a snake.  Moses ran away in fear and did not look back.  “Come forward, and don’t be afraid; peace has been given to you,”   God said.

     These verses can be interpreted in light of Egyptian mythology.  Egyptian pharaohs were not content to be the only ruling monarchs of Egypt.  Their claim was that they were not ordinary human beings; the Egyptian sun god Ra was their forefather.  Renenutet, snake goddess, who was also a goddess of farmers, was their protector. The cobra with raised head was a symbol of might and protection for the pharaoh.  This snake-goddess was the guardian of the king on earth and in the afterlife.  She spat fire on his enemies from her perch on his brows.  She was said to protect the king’s linen, robes, and later the linen bandages that wrapped mummies.  The cobra was placed conspicuously on the front of the crowns of the pharaohs. The snake goddess was also popular with farmers.  Because cobras eat rats, many insects, and small birds that destroy crops, farmers revered her and placed her shrines in granaries.  In addition to this, the pharaoh had a large entourage of priests.  Some of them were present in the city with the pharaoh, and others were scattered throughout the vast empire.  Their job was to teach mythology to the uneducated, ignorant folks.  It was a profitable job to invent fables, fantasies, and baseless stories about gods and goddesses, and convince the common folks about their supernatural powers.

       Moses, who was brought up in Pharaoh’s palace, had been hearing these tales from childhood.  In order to remove his fear, God showed him the insignificance of Egyptian beliefs by changing his rod into a snake and then bringing it back into its original form.

      Strengthened and delighted by the assurance of God, Moses asked Him to grant him favors.  Moses had been living in the villages of Madian for a long time.  He had lost most of the fluency of language.  Since he had to go to the city, and there people were more sensitive about pronunciation and other sophisticated use of language, he wanted his former skill and appropriate use of language.  Moreover, he wanted his elder brother Aaron, who was more eloquent than him, to assist and enhance his strength, so both would work together to complete the mission.  Moses requested God, “Make the fulfillment of my mission easy for me, and give me so much patience that I can tolerate great burdens.” Sharah-e-sadr.

     God granted all these requests of Moses. He was so grateful that he said, “God, you have shown me great favors today.”  The reply came, “Not today; We have been showing favors to you for a very long time. We sent the message to your mother to put you in a box and lay you in the river, so that My enemy and your enemy picked you up.  When your sister was telling Pharaoh’s wife about a woman who could rear the child, it was a favor from Me.  You killed a man and escaped the punishment; it was also a favor.  Your life in Madian and many ordeals were all favors to develop your abilities.  After passing all these stages, you have reached such a level of achievement that I have chosen you for Myself.  Go with your brother to Pharaoh because he is transgressing all the limits.”