Community: Islam
Return to stories about leaders.
Background:
In the Muslim Holy Scriptures called the Qur’an, there are many stories about Moses. He is described as a messenger of God who was sent to the people of Israel. In this story, Moses has just encountered God at a burning bush in a sacred valley. At this encounter, God asks Moses to take on a great task. Moses feels he needs help to be a leader and asks for his brother Aaron to go with him.
You may notice as you listen to this story that it sounds a little different to other stories you might hear in the classroom: listen out for unusual words or phrases.
Follow up questions:
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Why do you think God chose Moses as a leader when he was not good at speaking?
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What are some of the ways that Moses shows leadership in this story?
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What reasons might be given for Moses asking for a helper?
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What does this tell us about leadership?
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Can you think of a time when you asked for help so that you could do a task better?
Moses and Pharoah
Moses was listening to God one day when he heard him say, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for he has certainly become a tyrant.’ Moses replied, ‘Lord, lift up my heart and ease my task for. Remove the difficulties in my speech so that they may understand my words and give me a helper from my family- my brother Aaron– make me stronger through him. Let him share my task so that we can glorify You much and remember You often: You are always watching over us.’
God said, ‘Moses, your request is granted. I have chosen you for Myself. Go, you and your brother, with My signs, and make sure that you remember Me. Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has exceeded all bounds. Speak to him gently so that he may pay attention to what you say or show respect.’
Moses and Aaron said, ‘Lord, we fear he will do us great harm or exceed all bounds.’ God replied, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you both, hearing and seeing everything. Go and tell him, “We are your Lord’s messengers, so send the Children of Israel with us and do not oppress them. We have brought you a sign from your Lord. Peace be upon whoever follows the right guidance; it has been revealed to us that punishment falls on whoever rejects the truth and turns his back on it.”’
So, they went to Pharaoh, and he said, ‘Moses, who is this Lord of yours?’.
Moses replied, ‘Our Lord is He who gave everything its form, then gave it guidance.’ and Pharaoh said, ‘What about past generations?’. Moses said, ‘Only My Lord has knowledge of them, all in a record; my Lord doesn’t make mistakes or forget. He spread out the earth for you and made different routes in it. He sent down water from the sky, and many other blessings. God said that ‘We showed Pharaoh all Our signs, but he denied them all and refused to change his ways.’
(This story has been adapted from chapter 20 of the Qur’an)