Moses 8

(7-128) (10-83-87) (26-34-36-49) (7-113-124) (20-58-60-73) (26-38-40)

          Moses returned from the court of Pharaoh, and concentrated his efforts on educating and organizing the Israelites.  He told his nation that the rise and downfall of nations is not a capricious process.  All those who work according to the laws of God rise even though they have to face a lot of obstacles and difficulties.  Therefore, the Israelites should put all their trust in God and His laws.  If they acted according to His guidance, they would be successful.

          During his process of organization, Moses realized that only young people believed in his message. The senior members of his nation were afraid of Pharaoh. The grip of fear on their minds was so severe that it was impossible to move them, or to make them understand the outcome of systematic struggle.  The fear of Pharaoh had gone so deep in the unconscious psyche of the nation; it had entangled their minds and hearts so firmly that it was nearly impossible to eradicate it. 

          While Moses was busy in the organization and education of his nation, the chiefs of Pharaoh were watching his moves very carefully.  They noticed the signs of awakening in the nation of Israelites, and went to Pharaoh. They said, “Oh, great king of Egypt, Moses is trying to organize his nation without any institutions.  He has been transforming their homes into institutions of education.  He is talking against the traditions which were taught to us by our ancestors.  He is also against our religion.  Now decide because it is the demand of the time; otherwise Moses will destroy all that we have inherited from our forefathers, and remove you from the throne of Egypt.”

           “Moses cannot do that,” replied Pharaoh.  “Our religion is as great as his. I have sent heralds throughout our beloved country to bring the religious scholars. Under their guidance, I am going to arrange an open public meeting with him in which our scholars are going to prove the greatness of our religion.  Don’t worry too much about him; we are going to take care of everything. I am not going to be defeated by these two brothers whose nation is my slave.”

          After saying these words of consolation, Pharaoh dismissed the delegation of chiefs and went in the palace.  In the palace, he was informed about the arrival of religious scholars from all parts of the country, seeking an interview with him. 

          “What are we going to get if Moses is defeated in the discussion?” asked the religious scholars.

          “You are going to be included in my entourage, among those who are nearest to me,” replied Pharaoh. Pharaoh dictated a proclamation for the general public of Egypt, in which they were informed about a debate to be held at the time of national holiday.

          Moses and his brother were asked to come and attend the national carnival.  During this festival a special time was fixed for the religious leaders and Moses to prove the truth of their respective religions.  Both the parties assured Pharaoh of their punctuality.  The general public was also interested in the outcome of this debate; they were supposed to come to the meeting when the sun was high and they had finished the morning breakfast.

        Before advancing further, let us peruse the request of Moses and the reasons for its denial.  Moses was simply saying that Israelites were not a part of the Egyptian soil and culture.  They wanted to leave Egypt, so Pharaoh should allow them to do so.  Pharaoh and his nation were against it.  Why were they so against it? They were against it for economic reasons.  Egyptians were using the nation of Israelites as slaves who were doing all the hard labor without any reasonable pay.  Pharaoh and his nation were unwilling to leave this cheap labor. The economic gain prevented them from seeing the truth, although the reasonableness of the claim was clear to them.