How Did Moses Feel?
The early chapters of Exodus present Moses as a complex, deeply human figure experiencing a wide range of emotions as God calls him to lead Israel out of Egypt. His feelings were not simple or static; they shifted as he confronted fear, responsibility, opposition, and divine reassurance. Understanding Moses’ emotional journey helps readers appreciate the depth of his calling and the challenges he faced.
1. Moses Felt Unworthy and Inadequate
Moses’ first major emotional response came when God called him from the burning bush (Exodus 3). His immediate reaction was hesitation. Moses questioned his own worthiness:
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“Who am I…?” — a cry of inadequacy
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A sense of personal insufficiency due to his background as a shepherd, not a leader
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Fear of confronting Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of that time
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Uncertainty about how the Israelites would accept him
Moses’ insecurity reveals a leader who doubts his abilities long before he doubts God.
2. Moses Felt Fear and Anxiety About Speaking
A recurring theme in Moses’ feelings is his concern about his speaking abilities:
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He described himself as “slow of speech and of tongue”.
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He feared public speaking and confrontation.
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He feared misrepresenting God or being misunderstood.
This fear caused him to plead repeatedly for God to choose someone else. His emotional struggle shows a leader overwhelmed by the weight of the task.
3. Moses Felt Overwhelmed by God’s Demands
Each new instruction from God added emotional pressure:
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Confront the king
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Lead an oppressed nation
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Deliver God’s message with authority
Moses felt the enormity of the calling pressing on him. His repeated objections show that he felt overloaded, perhaps even discouraged, before the mission began.
Yet, in this overwhelming moment, God patiently reassured him, providing signs, words, and ultimately Aaron as a helper.
4. Moses Felt Encouraged by God’s Presence
God’s response to Moses’ fear was not anger at first—it was comfort:
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“I will be with you.”
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God provided miraculous signs.
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God offered detailed instructions.
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God assured him that Israel would listen.
These divine reassurances lifted Moses emotionally. He began to shift from fearful reluctance to cautious obedience. The promise of divine companionship became his greatest source of courage.
5. Moses Felt Distressed After Pharaoh Rejected the Message
After Moses and Aaron delivered God’s message, Pharaoh responded with hostility, increasing Israel’s burdens. The people turned against Moses, complaining that he had made their suffering worse.
Moses felt:
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Discouragement — because the mission seemed to fail immediately
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Confusion — why would obedience result in greater suffering?
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Emotional turmoil — wondering if he misunderstood God’s calling
His cry to God in Exodus 5:22–23 reveals honest anguish:
“Why have You brought trouble?… Why did You send me?”
This moment shows Moses at an emotional low point, struggling to reconcile God’s command with the harsh outcome.
6. Moses Felt Renewed Confidence After God Reaffirmed His Promise
God responded to Moses’ distress with a renewed, powerful declaration:
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He reminded Moses of His covenant with Abraham.
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He promised redemption with an “outstretched arm.”
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He reassured Moses that Pharaoh would release Israel.
These assurances revived Moses’ faith. Even though the Israelites still struggled to believe him, Moses pressed forward in obedience, now strengthened by God’s reaffirmed promise.
Conclusion: Moses’ Emotional Journey Was Deeply Human
Throughout the early chapters of Exodus, Moses’ feelings moved through phases:
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Inadequacy at the burning bush
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Fear of speaking and confronting Pharaoh
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Overwhelm at the scale of the mission
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Discouragement after early failure
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Renewed confidence through God’s reassurance
His emotional journey is not one of instant heroism but of growth, struggle, and divine shaping. Moses’ feelings remind readers that God often chooses ordinary, hesitant, and flawed people—then strengthens them to accomplish extraordinary purposes.