We all know the story of his dramatic rescue as a baby, floating down the Nile in a basket. But what happened next, after he was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter? The Book of Jasher, an ancient Hebrew text of uncertain origin, fills in some fascinating details, painting a vivid picture of Moses's early years.
According to Jasher, in the third year after Moses's birth, a rather… eventful banquet took place. Pharaoh was holding court, with his queen Alparanith on one side and Bathia, Moses’s adoptive mother, on the other. The young Moses was there, nestled in Bathia's lap. And then, something extraordinary happened: the toddler reached out and grabbed the crown right off Pharaoh's head, placing it on his own!
Imagine the scene! The king and princes were, understandably, terrified. What did this mean? Was this an omen? They turned to Balaam, the son of Beor, a well-known magician, for his interpretation. Remember Balaam? He pops up later in the Torah, too.
Balaam, ever the opportunist, seized the moment. He warned Pharaoh that this was no accident. "This is a Hebrew boy," he declared, "in whom is the spirit of God!" He went on to accuse the Hebrews of a long history of trickery, citing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as examples of those who "deceived kings" to get their way. He even brought up Joseph, saying the Hebrews bought the Egyptians as slaves. Balaam's solution? Kill the boy before he grows up and takes over the kingdom. Pretty dramatic, right?
But Pharaoh, thankfully, didn't immediately order Moses's execution. Instead, he consulted with the wise men of Egypt. Now, here’s where things get interesting. An angel of the Lord, disguised as one of the wise men, suggested a test. They proposed placing an onyx stone and a burning coal before the child. If Moses reached for the onyx, it would prove he acted with knowledge and should be put to death. But if he grabbed the coal, it would indicate he didn't understand what he was doing, and his life should be spared.
So, they presented the items to Moses. He instinctively reached for the onyx, but the angel intervened, guiding his hand to the burning coal. Moses grabbed the coal, burning his mouth and tongue. This explains, according to Jasher, why Moses later had a speech impediment.
The king and princes, seeing this, concluded that Moses hadn't acted deliberately, and spared his life. Moses remained in Pharaoh's house, growing up in royal purple, favored by Bathia and feared by the Egyptians.
But Moses didn't forget his people. He visited them in Goshen, the land where the Israelites were living, and witnessed their suffering under Pharaoh's harsh rule. He learned about the cruel decrees and the evil counsel of Balaam. This, understandably, ignited his anger. He sought to kill Balaam, who, fearing for his life, fled to the land of Cush.
One day, Moses approached Pharaoh with a humble request: "Let there be given unto thy servants the children of Israel who are in Goshen, one day to rest therein from their labor." And Pharaoh, remarkably, agreed! He issued a proclamation granting the Israelites a day of rest every seventh day.
Jasher tells us that "this thing was from the Lord to the children of Israel, for the Lord had begun to remember the children of Israel to save them for the sake of their fathers." This act of compassion, securing a day of rest for his brethren, marked the beginning of Moses's journey toward becoming the leader who would ultimately lead them out of slavery. And it all started with a toddler, a crown, and a burning coal.
It's a compelling story, isn't it? It reminds us that even in the midst of privilege and power, a connection to one's roots and a sense of justice can bloom, setting the stage for extraordinary acts of leadership and liberation. What do you think this story adds to our understanding of Moses's character and his eventual role as the liberator of the Israelites?