Moses-Man or Myth?

 Credible Events

Many scholars today dismiss these events as fiction. The fact is,  "says Christianity Today., "that not one shred of direct archeological evidence has been found for [the years] the  children of Israel sojourned in Egypt." While direct physical proof may be lacking, there is considerable indirect evidence that the Bible  accounts is credible.  In his book Israel in Egypt, Egyptologist James K. Hoffmeier says:  "Archaeological data  clearly demonstrates that Egypt was frequented by the  peoples of the Levant [countries bordering in the eastern Mediterranean] , especially as a result of climatic problems that resulted in drought . . .Thus, for a period roughly from 1800 to 1540 B.E., Egypt was an attractive place for the Semitic-speaking people of western Asia to migrate."

Furthermore, it has long been acknowledged that the Bible's description  of Egyptian slavery is accurate.  The book Moses-A Life reports:  "The Biblical account of the oppression of the Israelites appears to be corroborated in one often-produced tomb painting from ancient Egypt in which the making of mud bricks  by a gang of slaves is depicted in explicit detail.

The Bible's description of the tiny ark Jochebed used likewise rings true.  The Bible says that it was made of papyrus, which, according to Cook's Commentary. "was commonly used by the Egyptians for light and swift boats. 

Still, is it not hard to believe that  national leader would order the cold-blooded murder of infants?  Scholar George Rawlinson reminds us:  "Infanticide . . . has prevailed widely at different times, and places, and been regarded as a trivial matter."    Indeed, one  need not look far to find equally chilling examples of mass murder in modern times.  The Bible account mat be disturbing, but it is all too credible.

Next time: Moses-Man or Myth? - Moses' Rescue-A Pagan Legend? 

From the jw.org publications