Khashchuk 1

David Khashchuk

Professor Peppard

English 30

6 April 2025

Mos

Moses remains one of the most enigmatic figures in history for several reasons, one of

them being his unique psychological traits and paradoxes. He is an unwilling savior, a stuttering

messenger who broke the very laws that he brought to the Israelites. The biblical texts depict

Moses as an intricate character who faces both internal and external conflicts. The complete

comprehension of Moses demands an examination of his complex mental state because he

exceeds the basic and stereotypical image of a divinely appointed leader. Moses murdered

someone, disobeyed God’s orders on numerous occasions, struggled with confidence and public

speaking, and yet remains one of the most notable and renowned leaders in all of literature.

Psychological literary analysis allows us to uncover the driving forces behind this mysterious

figure revealing a man who was shaped by trauma, a divine mandate, and an enduring struggle

for his own transformative self-improvement in the face of God which ultimately culminates in

his selflessness and the immense responsibility he feels towards the people of Israel.

Moses received his fundamental psychological imprint when he experienced the

traumatic circumstances of his uncertain birth. During his childhood, Moses received royal

privileges but grew up in an alien environment of the Egyptian court as a Hebrew child. His dual

identity likely created an intense feeling of being different from others because he lived between

two completely different worlds. The concealed truth about his heritage produced an inner

conflict that made him constantly aware of his hidden identity. This initial displacement became
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the main factor that drove his later ability to relate to Hebrew slaves. Through his own

experience of existential displacement, he gained a special understanding of Hebrew suffering

and their desire for freedom and acceptance. The killing of the Egyptian overseer (which many

may see as a spontaneous act of justice) might also be seen as a psychological reaction. His

violent outburst was likely a result of his feelings that he had kept suppressed and hidden

throughout his entire life. The journey to Midian was a physical escape but it was also a

psychological refuge as he needed time to process his past traumas and the consequences of his

violent act.

Secondly, Moses is shaped by a divine mandate. Moses discovers a sense of peace and

home in Midian among Jethro's family members. Moses seems to be seeking something

completely opposite to what he had in Egypt. Through his marriage and the birth of his sons, he

seems to build a new identity that combines domestic life with the complicated events of his

past; it indicates his fundamental need for both connection and kinship, things he was lacking in

Egypt. The equilibrium he struggled to achieve ends when he meets the burning bush. Through

this theophany, Moses experiences a direct divine encounter that pushes him back into the world

he had previously tried to leave behind. His first hesitation and his stuttering denial of his ability

show both deep inner doubts and possibly a fear of dealing with his unresolved psychological

problems from the past. Through the divine mandate Moses received both boundless power and

meaningful purpose yet at the same time he gained a substantial psychological weight. The

divine mission requires him to free all members of the people and lead them to the promised land

which becomes an overwhelming burden for anyone but especially for someone with Moses's

complicated background.
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Thirdly, we see Moses’s journey of self-improvement through his often strenuous

relationship with God. The wilderness journey functions as a testing ground that challenges the

religious devotion of the Israelites but more importantly, we see the struggles and the mental

endurance of their leader as he grapples with who he is and what his role is as a mediator

between the Israelites and God. Moses faced enormous pressure from the endless complaints and

rebellions of the Israelites, all while facing the massive task at hand. The internal stress of

leadership becomes visible through his frequent outbursts of anger which included destroying the

tablets after seeing the golden calf and striking the rock in frustration because of the Israelites

complaining. Moses must maintain a fine line between commanding God's demands and

understanding human weaknesses while leading an unappreciative people. The psychological

burden from his perpetual struggle to reconcile divine commands with human weaknesses must

have been extremely demanding. Several times we see Moses pleading to God on behalf of the

Israelites and there’s no doubt that having an entire nation on your back is more than most could

handle. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he likely longs for his peaceful existence in Midian

which stands in complete opposition to his present overwhelming leadership duties. Moses’s

connection with God exists as an intricate dance between his reverence for God and his

commitment to following orders (while occasionally showing resistance). The direct and often

intense communication with the divine would undoubtedly have shaped his psyche in profound

ways, fostering a deep sense of obligation and a constant awareness of his own limitations in the

face of ultimate power, through his acts of intercession before God Moses demonstrates his

growing sense of self-determination as well as his deep compassion for his people. His inner

struggle between following God's will and his personal moral values demonstrates the
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psychological demands of serving as both a prophet, leader, and ultimately an individual with his

own personal desires, needs, and flaws.

Lastly, through Moses’s transformative experiences, he develops a selfless attitude that is

founded on the responsibility God has given him. This is clearly seen in what could be

considered Moses’s greatest tragedy, the inability to enter the promised land. The denial of

entering the Promised Land must have caused Moses severe psychological impact considering he

dedicated his entire life to this singular purpose. However, in the face of this monumental and

seemingly unfair verdict, Moses demonstrates extraordinary strength and resilience. Through his

final speeches in Deuteronomy Moses demonstrates his acceptance of his life's purpose by

delivering wisdom and guidance while showing deep devotion to his people. Moses died alone

on a mountain with God content, knowing that he had completed his life’s purpose even without

reaching the promised land.

Through the psychological literary analysis of Moses the reader discovers a complex

personality that goes beyond the basic image of a divinely appointed leader. His life takes shape

from the initial traumatic experience of his unclear birth and the lasting psychological effects of

being uprooted. The divine mission he received (while it gave him direction) created unbearable

mental stress which compelled him to face his inner doubts while leading others, and through his

difficult interactions with God and his ongoing struggle to balance divine commands with human

limitations, Moses experienced a deep personal transformation which led to complete devotion

and selflessness toward the Israelites. What makes Moses such a powerful leader is not his

strengths but rather his glaring weaknesses and the steps he takes to overcome them. This is

clearly seen in the culmination of Moses's last speech to the Israelites in which Moses accepts the

outcome and demonstrates his commitment to his people's welfare while establishing his legacy
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as both a lawgiver and a human being transformed by trauma, divine purpose and selfless

responsibility.