18: Moses in Egypt

In our latest episode, we traverse the early saga of Moses, from his palace upbringing to the awakening of his Hebrew roots. We explore the first 40 years of Moses' life, contrasting the Israelites' burgeoning population against the backdrop of escalating oppression in Egypt. This dramatic narrative is punctuated by the pivotal moment when Moses, at the age of 40, encounters a call to leadership that will forever alter the course of history. 

We also examine the remarkable growth of the Israelites under such oppression, drawing parallels to the biblical command in Genesis to "be fruitful and multiply." This resilience is attributed to the divine presence that accompanied God's people through their darkest times. 

Topics Discussed: 

• Moses' early life in Egypt and the transition from prosperity under Joseph to enslavement by Pharaoh 
• The resilience and growth of the Israelites despite oppression, symbolizing God's presence 
• The significance of Moses' awakening to his Hebrew heritage at age 40 
• The role of women in Moses' infancy and their contributions to his destiny 
• Parallels drawn between Moses' basket as an "ark" and the beginning of a significant era in history 
• The identity crisis Moses faces, being a Hebrew in Egyptian royalty, and its contemporary relevance 
• Cultural identity, privilege, and the spiritual quest for belonging 
• The foreshadowing of Moses' future leadership through his actions and the reactions of others 
• Moses' flight into the wilderness, setting the stage for his solitary journey and preparation for leading his people 
• The idea of finding identity and purpose in God rather than in physical or cultural contexts 

 Quotes: 

“And it seems like, regardless of what is being thrown at these people, the promised people, they can't be kept down, all of the oppression that's coming at them. They continue to grow in power and number.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“I think there is no such thing as any of us becoming self-made.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“I think even the name of the book Exodus it's like a leaving out, it's a going out, a looking for home and no permanent home being found.” –Hannah DeSouza 

Links:  

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow