We know he was found in the reeds, destined for greatness. But what happened between that moment and the burning bush? Well, the Book of Jubilees, a fascinating ancient text not included in the Hebrew Bible but valued by some Jewish traditions, gives us a glimpse.
It tells us that after Moses grew up, he was brought to Pharaoh's daughter, and became her son. Adopted into royalty! Imagine the possibilities, the access, the sheer change of fate.
But even within the palace walls, Moses' true heritage wasn't forgotten. The Book of Jubilees, in chapter 47, says that Amram, his biological father, secretly taught him to write. Think about that for a moment: the future leader of the Israelites, learning to inscribe the very words of God, all while living in the heart of Egyptian power.
And then, after only three "weeks" – Jubilees uses a unique dating system, and in this case it literally means three weeks – he was brought into the royal court.
The text continues, stating that Moses spent three "weeks of years" – that's twenty-one years! – at court. He lived as an Egyptian prince, immersed in their culture, their power, their secrets. It’s a long time. What did he learn? How did this experience shape him? It's intriguing to consider.
Until, as the Book of Jubilees puts it, "the time when thou didst go forth from the royal court and didst see an Egyptian smiting thy friend who was of the children of Israel." The pivotal moment. The turning point.
The narrative continues: "And on the second day thou didst find two of the children of Israel striving together, and thou didst say to him who was doing the wrong: 'Why dost thou smite thy brother?'"
This is Moses, caught between two worlds. He is a prince of Egypt, yet his heart remains with his people, the B’nei Yisrael (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the Children of Israel. He sees injustice, and he can’t stand idly by. This sets the stage for everything that follows: the flight from Egypt, the encounter with God at Sinai, the giving of the Torah.
The Book of Jubilees paints a richer, more detailed picture of Moses' early life, filling in the gaps and giving us a sense of the man behind the legend. It reminds us that even the greatest leaders have complex pasts, shaped by circumstance and choice. What do you think of this version of Moses' story? Does it change how you understand his later actions?