Moses Vs Abraham

In the Old Testament, Abraham and Moses were two very prominent leaders chosen by God to do his will. Throughout Genesis and Exodus, both men play important roles in fulfilling God's will. They are put to many tests, given covenants, and communicate constantly with God. Although they have many similarities such as being leaders and men of God, there are also many differences between the two.

In terms of leadership, Abraham was a noble leader. Although he grew up in a camp where the notion of one God was not accepted, he eventually manages to become the leader of a tribe and make the people believe in his faith. He leads them around endlessly from Ur to Canaan, to Egypt, then back to Canaan. His tribe followed him around without much questions. They just followed his leadership. Moses was also a great leader. When he led the Hebrews out of Egypt to the Red Sea, some people questioned Moses saying, "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert" (Exodus14:12). Moses being a calm leader replied, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring 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). In the mist of his people doubting him and the Egyptians on the chase, Moses reassures his people to put their faith in God. This shows Moses courageous leadership in a time of eminent danger. After they cross the Red Sea, with the help of the Lord parting it, the Red Sea closes on the Egyptians and Moses and his people are safe. After all this, Moses and his people encounter many struggles such as thirst, hunger, attacks from enemies, however Moses always manages somehow to renew the faith of his people and lead them to the promise land. Just like Abraham, Moses was a worthy leader. They both managed to keep the faith of their people in God and they lead the people to the places they were destined to go. The only difference is that Moses faced more doubt from his people then Abraham did.

Although they were similar leaders, they did have a different relationship with God. Abraham from the onset did not question God at all. Anything that God told him to do, it was done. For example, God asked Abraham, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about" (Genesis 22:2). Abraham did not question why God wanted him to sacrifice his one and only son; nevertheless, he did not question God and preceded with him command. When they got on the top of the mountain, God saw that Abraham truly had faith in him, thus he sent a ram instead so that Abraham did not have to sacrifice his son. Abraham never had a doubt in God's will and was offering even to sacrifice his own flesh and blood to prove his undoubting faith. Moses on the other hand, questioned God. When he first encounters God in the form of a fiery bush, Moses questions God's will by asking, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Although he meets God in a physical form, he still questioned him with doubts of his own abilities. Unlike Abraham who had unquestioning faith, Moses started out his relationship with God with a lack of faith. Eventually, Moses does develop the same undoubting faith that Abraham processed. Only initially did he have doubts about his relationship with God.

Finally, they both received similar covenants, however they communicated with God in a different way. God told Abraham, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:1-3). These covenants set Abraham on his long journey from Ur, to Canaan, to Egypt, and back to Canaan. Moses gets a message to free God's people and lead them into the promise land. God specifically states, "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to