And it's a feeling, according to our sages, that even Moses himself grappled with.
Let's dive into a fascinating passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a Midrashic commentary on the Song of Songs, to explore this. The verse in question is Song of Songs 1:8: “If you do not know, fairest among women, go out in the footsteps of the flock, and herd your kids by the tents of the shepherds.” It seems simple, but as always, the Rabbis find layers of meaning within.
The phrase "go out in the footsteps of [be’ikvei] the flock" is the launching point. Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Akiva, and the Rabbis each offer interpretations, all focusing on God's reassurance to Moses about the future.
Rabbi Eliezer points to the miraculous uggat retsafim, the coal-baked loaf, that the Israelites carried out of Egypt. Rabbi Shila says this loaf provided sixty-two meals! The Midrash draws a connection between the word be’ikvei (footsteps) and the word akev (end, ultimately). God, in essence, is telling Moses: Just as I miraculously provided for them then, I will provide in the end. This echoes in the verse, "There will be abundance of grain in the land" (Psalms 72:16).
Rabbi Akiva focuses on the Clouds of Glory that surrounded the Israelites in the desert. As Exodus 13:21-22 tells us, "The Lord was going before them by day… The pillar of cloud by day…departed not [from before the people]." Just as God protected them then, He will provide shelter in the end, as Isaiah 4:6 promises: "There will be a shelter for them for shade by day."
And the Rabbis say: remember the manna, sweeter than milk and honey, that I gave them to eat in the wilderness? You know what I will do for them in the end, as it is stated: "It will be on that day, that the mountains will drip nectar" (Joel 4:18).
These interpretations offer comfort, reminding us that God's past acts of kindness are a promise for the future. But the Midrash doesn't stop there. It delves into a more challenging aspect of Moses's leadership.
"Go out in the footsteps of the flock," God tells Moses, meaning, "Ultimately, the entire flock will depart and you will depart last." It wasn't because Moses was slacking. The Israelites were busy gathering spoils, while Moses was fulfilling the mitzva of burying Joseph’s bones, as Exodus 13:19 tells us: "Moses took Joseph’s bones with him."
Another interpretation suggests that this verse hints at Moses's mortality: "Ultimately, this entire generation will die, and you will be like them." Why? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman suggests it goes back to the burning bush.
For seven days, God tried to persuade Moses to go to Egypt. Moses resisted, saying, "I am not a man of words, not yesterday, not the day before, and not since You spoke to Your servant" (Exodus 4:10). The Midrash (Shemot Rabba 3:14) counts each phrase in that verse, stretching the dialogue over a full week. Finally, Moses said, "Send by means of whomever You will send" (Exodus 4:13).
God's response is striking: "By your life, I will bind this for you in the corner of your garment." It's a promise, but also a warning. Rabbi Berekhya, Rabbi Ḥelbo, and Rabbi Levi offer different examples of when God "paid him back." One suggests that for seven days during the inauguration of the Tabernacle, Moses believed he would be High Priest, only to be told it was for his brother Aaron. Another suggests that for seven days of Adar, Moses pleaded to enter the land of Israel, but was ultimately denied. "For you will not cross this Jordan" (Deuteronomy 3:27).
The final part of the verse, "Herd your kids by the tents of the shepherds," is interpreted as a limit to Moses's leadership. "The kids are entering, the goats are not entering." God is telling Moses how far he will lead the people. "By the tents of [mishkenot] the shepherds [ro’im]" refers to the "thorns" — a reference, says the Midrash, to Siḥon and Og, the wicked kings whose lands the Israelites conquered (Numbers 21). Moses would lead them that far, but no further.
What can we take away from this rich and complex Midrash? It reminds us that even the greatest leaders face doubt and limitations. It acknowledges the human cost of leadership and the long arc of divine justice. Perhaps most importantly, it highlights the enduring power of faith, reminding us that even in the face of uncertainty, we can find hope in the promise of God's continued care. Just as God provided for our ancestors, so too will God provide for us.