Moses 7

     (26-18-22)(7-109-112)

     After dismissing his court, Pharaoh went to his private retiring room.  He wanted to talk with Moses alone to measure his innermost thoughts and see if he could change him.  He called for Moses and said, “Are you not the baby we adopted and nourished?  You spent many years in my palaces, and enjoyed all the education and facilities like a member of the royal family.  You committed a murder and ran away, but we declined to vigorously pursue you.  Is this the way you are trying to repay my favors? By upsetting the system? This is a very disgraceful act on your part which shows that you have turned out to be a very ungrateful person.”

     “I ran away because I was sure that you could not perform unbiased justice.  You would have hanged me unheard because an Egyptian man died. In reality it was an accident and not a planned murder.  God picked me as His messenger, and ordered me to deliver His message to you.  This is the reason for my return.  Your favors were for me, but in return you want me to help you to subjugate the whole nation of Israelite.  Is this the way to bestow favors? “Moses replied.

      After this reply, the conversation between the parties abruptly ended; the pharaoh realized the depth and unflinching determination of Moses, so he dismissed him and called for his courtiers. In the court, the pharaoh and his entourage had been making fun of Moses and his demands. However, when they were alone they tried to take up the matter seriously.  Pharaoh asked for the advice of his trusted courtiers.  They declared, “Moses is a cunning and deceitful man; on the strength of his rhetoric, he wants to drive you out of the land and occupy it.”

     Pharaoh said, “How can he succeed in it?  I have divided his nation into many parties, and these parties are always fighting among themselves. These quarreling parties are squandering all their limited resources in war without doing any constructive work for their nation.  On top of that I encourage the timid and boneless Israelite individuals, and discourage all the persons who show some determination and insight.”

     “The matter does not end here,” said a noble.  “Moses is not only teaching morals, but he is giving a different concept of God and the universe, which is very popular with the Israelite.  It is a revival of Joseph’s message. Unfortunately, it is affecting our people.  Some Egyptian youth think that the message is universal, and whoever acts according to this program is going to be rewarded heavily.”

     `“I am a politician and an administrator.  I am not a priest or a religious scholar,” replied the pharaoh.  “For this important issue we have to consult the religious scholars of Egypt.”  The discussion carried on for a long time.  All the aspects of Moses’ movement and its influences were analyzed thoroughly. In the end, they reached the conclusion that Moses’ movement was a dangerous thing.  In order to win, they would have to discredit Moses publicly, refute his logic, and show the strength and greatness of their gods and goddesses.  Pharaoh issued summons for all the religious scholars in his empire to come and give him advice on this matter.