Moses is Born a Hero
Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates is one of my favorite preachers and one of the pastors I respect most. It was my privilege to interview him for Season 2 of the Holy Curiosity podcast to talk about Moses’s backstory.
In our conversation, Charlie unpacked Moses’ story in a way that brought new depth to his calling, his failures, and ultimately his role as a delivering judge.
“Moses is born a hero. You can tell that he has this kind of potential before he has self-awareness. His mother, who I think is the real hero of the story—her name is Jochebed—believes in her heart that this baby is special. The Bible says when she saw him, she saw how handsome he was. She saw the sense of potential. She could not destroy him.”
Jochebed’s decision to place Moses in a basket and send him down the crocodile-infested Nile was an act of courageous trust. As Charlie so beautifully put it,
“She puts him in this wicker basket, you can see her combining reeds with ratoon plants and tar and pitch, her tears mixing with all of that little bit of hay and cushion and cloth. And she lays her baby in that and puts him in the river. And the invisible hand of God guides that basket along the reeds until it lands at the bathing pool of Pharaoh.”
From the moment of his rescue, Moses is positioned for greatness. Raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he is given every advantage, yet he never forgets his Hebrew identity. Unlike others who rise to power and forget where they came from, Moses remains connected to his people.
“He is enculturated in Egyptian ways, but he’s a hero. I think that there are a lot of people who, when they get elevated and have access to things, forget their countrymen who are languishing under oppression. But we see that Moses never forgets who he is.”
This leads us to a pivotal moment in Moses’ story. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, and in a moment of raw, unchecked power, he kills the Egyptian.
“He did the wrong thing for the right reason.”
This act forces Moses into exile, where he spends 40 years in what Charlie calls the seminary of solitude—a wilderness season of preparation where God shapes him into the leader he was always meant to be.
The Deliverer Steps into His Calling
When Moses encounters God at the burning bush, everything changes. The same man who once burned out as a self-appointed deliverer now stands in Pharaoh’s court as God’s chosen instrument of rescue.
“Previously, Moses burned out as a deliverer because he killed one guy and had to run. Now he goes into Pharaoh’s court, pronouncing that the God of these Israelites has come down to deliver them. And after 438 years of bondage, they are set free.”
This story is not just about the past—it’s about us today.
Charlie and I talked about how humanity has always longed for a deliverer. Just as the Israelites cried out for rescue, we, too, look for leaders who will bring justice, healing, and hope.
“We need deliverance, and humanity has often sought a deliverer. Moses pictures to us the fact that God shows up in unexpected, unrequested ways to confront us for the deliverance of other people.”
He compared Moses’ leadership to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., another leader whom God raised up unexpectedly.
“King was not a politician. He wasn’t elected to office or wealthy. He was a preacher, and it was clear that God’s hand was on his life. God raised him up in an unexpected, almost unrequested way. And look now at the remarkable impact of his leadership.”
Moses, like King, was a prototype of the kind of leader God raises up—one who does not separate holiness from justice, but who stands on God’s Word while standing against oppression.
The Moment of Deliverance: Exodus 14
Charlie then walked us through one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture—the parting of the Red Sea.
The Israelites had finally escaped Egypt, only to find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the waters before them. Fear gripped them, and they doubted their deliverance. But Moses stood firm and declared:
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that He will accomplish for you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
At just the right moment, God parted the sea, leading His people to safety and bringing judgment upon their oppressors.
“We don’t like for God to let us get right up on the moment of trouble. We want Him to deliver us early. But sometimes God waits until the very last second, so there’s no doubt that it was Him who brought the victory.”
This moment foreshadows the greater deliverance found in Jesus.
Moses: The First Glimpse of the Ultimate Deliverer
As incredible as Moses was, his story leaves us longing for a greater leader. He was faithful, but he was not perfect. He delivered Israel, but he could not lead them into the Promised Land. He pointed to God, but he was not God.
Moses’ story echoes through history until we meet the ultimate Deliverer—Jesus Christ.
“Every great leader throughout Scripture calls the people of God to greater faith. Moses did it, Deborah did it, and ultimately, Jesus did it. And even today, as leaders, we must call people to greater faith because faith leaks. Life drains it from us. And yet, when we trust in God, we experience His mighty deliverance.”
Moses teaches us to trust the Deliverer. He reminds us that no matter how impossible our situation seems, God is working for our rescue.
And just like the Israelites, we are called to stand firm, watch God move, and walk forward in faith.
Listen to Season 2 of Holy Curiosity
If this conversation intrigued you, I invite you to dive deeper with me in Season 2 of Holy Curiosity. Together, we’ll uncover the incredible connections woven throughout Scripture—stories that point us to the ultimate Deliverer.
🎧 Subscribe, listen, and review Charlie’s now → www.katarmstrong.com/podcast
Stay curious, y’all.
