Moses 9

(20:58-64-71-73)(26:38-40-49)(7:116-124)(26:47-48)(22:11)

Moses 9

     After the arrival of religious leaders at the festival, a great wave of happiness and confidence ran through the Egyptians.  These scholars were well-known for their knowledge and upright character throughout the country.  The Egyptians thought that a great unexpected occasion to rejuvenate their prevailing religion and culture had occurred.  They could drive two advantages from it; one was to completely destroy the emerging revolution of Moses.  The second was to show the supremacy of Egyptian culture and civilization in order to keep the Israelites permanently as their slaves.   Common people were urged to attend the meeting.  The Egyptians were so sure of their success that they told the folks to be ready to have a great procession after the success of the religious scholars and priests. This would be done to bestow honor on them.  Although Pharaoh was an absolute dictator, he was keen to justify his point of view—to show his countrymen that he was protecting their interests.

     At the appointed time, Pharaoh came to attend the meeting with great pomp and show.  He was surrounded by his courtiers.  The slaves   were holding beautiful multicolored flyers and flags painted with symbols of Egyptian mythology.  Pharaoh sat in the first row on a raised platform.  The courtiers, religious scholars, Moses and Aaron sat in the second row.  Moses, who was aware of the upright characters of the country scholars, took advantage of the seating arrangement and said, “Shame on you!  You have come to tell lies about God. Do not fabricate false stories about Him; otherwise, He will punish you severely.”  “What is he saying?” asked one of the scholars.  When the message of Moses was conveyed to them, they started to discuss it in whispers.

     The courtiers, seeing the disturbing effect of the message, made an emotional appeal to the religious scholars. “Do you know what these brothers want to do?” they asked. “They are the champions of Abraham’s religion.  Moses, who is a very cunning man, has devised a plan to remove you, your religion, and culture from Egypt, so that they can occupy it.  Moreover, they are anxious to inherit the greatness of our centuries-old Egyptian civilization and declare it to be their own.  Do not listen to what they are saying.  Focus all your attention on the debate; whoever is successful today is the winner.”

 Suddenly, all the hustle and bustle of the carnival stopped. Pharaoh signaled the religious scholars to start the discussion.  The leading religious scholar came forward and asked Moses, “Who is going to initiate the discussion, you or me?” Moses replied, “You start the discussion.”

     The leader nodded in affirmation. The debate started.  The rest of the details are described in the Quran as a metaphor.  Some scholars interpret it literally.  I interpret it as a metaphor.  However, those who are interested in the literal translation can consult the literal meanings in the Quran.

     The religious scholars presented their case in such a forceful way that people were mesmerized by them.  Moreover, they threatened the people with dire consequences of opposition to Pharaoh. In short, they skillfully wove and threw a mighty network of deceit to entrap the people. Moses, under the direction of God, came forward; he clearly and logically explained his point of view.  His clear reasoning and enlightening explanation broke the spell cast by the rhetoric of the opposition.  In the language of metaphor, the dragon of Moses swallowed the ropes of the religious scholars. The religious leaders were enlightened by the reasoning of Moses. Furthermore, after recognizing the truth, they spontaneously cried out, “We believe in almighty God, Rab of Moses and Aaron.”

     Pharaoh was astounded by the backfiring of his plan.  His trepidation increased when his own priests and religious scholars joined the opposition.  However, he was a shrewd politician, so he changed his strategy and said, “What! You declare your belief in Moses’ God before I gave you permission to do so.   I am sure that you and Moses, who is your teacher, have conspired in the capital city to turn the people out of it.  In a short while you will see the result of your evil scheming.  I will cut your hands and feet from alternate sides, and then I will crucify you on the palm trees.  Shortly, you will get the punishment you deserve.”

     “Decide whatever you like to do with us, but we are not going to prefer you over Allah. You can only punish us in this physical world for a short time; beyond that you will have no power to harm us.  After death we are going to leave your territory and enter the domain of Allah, whose kingdom is everlasting and forever. We believe in Allah, and no one can change it.  We hope that He will forgive our mistake that on your command we tried to mislead people.”