Read Online By Way of the Wilderness by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online

tried to convince Moses that he could do more good in other ways.”
    â€œWe all agree with that,” Korah said. “Do we need more slaves? There are enough of us as there are. Why have you done this thing, Moses?”
    â€œI have joined my people,” Moses said simply. “I should have done it years ago, but I was thoughtless.”
    â€œWhat good will your death do?” Jacob demanded. A tall man with thin features and an anxious look, he was second on the council next to Korah. “Sooner or later the Egyptians will recognize you. Then what will they think?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Eli enjoined. “What will happen to us then?”
    â€œIf anything happens, it will be to me,” Moses said calmly. He saw the resistance among the elders and asked abruptly, “Why are you so afraid for me to join you? I am of your own flesh and blood. It is true that I was raised in the court of Pharaoh, but I should have recognized my heritage. Indeed, I have been at fault, but I have come now to join you and must suffer along with my brothers.”
    Korah shook his head, and the fat of his jowls and neck quivered. “That is foolishness, man, absolute foolishness! You have a high position in Egypt. You can do much to alleviate our suffering.”
    â€œExactly what I told him, Korah,” Aaron cried. “You must go back to the palace, Moses.”
    â€œI will not,” Moses said firmly, and his voice was like the closing of a stone door.
    Korah shouted in frustration, “You are a fool! What good will your death do to us? Be gone with you!” He rose to his feet and, with a gesture, scattered the council.
    As soon as they were outside and on their way back to their parents’ hut, Aaron began to remonstrate with Moses. “You should not have been so arrogant before the council.”
    Aaron’s words surprised Moses. “Me, arrogant? I did not think I was.”
    â€œWhy, of course you were. You told the chief elder that he was wrong.”
    â€œWell, he is wrong.”
    â€œWho are you to say that? What do you know?” Aaron cried in despair. “You come among us for a few weeks, and you think you know more than the entire council of elders.”
    â€œThe council has gotten used to slavery. They wear it like a garment,” Moses said. He was not an arrogant man, although he had developed a certain pride in his place. He was rapidly losing this, however, now that he knew his true nature and heritage. He was shocked at how Aaron and the council and many others could simply accept slavery as their fate. It was true that they expected freedom to come for their people someday, but they could not find it in themselves to rise up and resist the Egyptians now.
    When Moses and Aaron reached their parents’ house, they listened to Amram and Jochebed argue on the side of the council.
    â€œYou should pay heed to the council, Moses,” Amram insisted. “They are wise men.”
    â€œI’m sure they are, but they have forgotten what it’s like to be free,” Moses said. “Or more to the point, they have never known freedom.” He suddenly realized that this was the truth. He was talking to people who had never known freedom. That was why they were willing to bargain for an extra benefit or two, another extra morsel of food, or half a day off from time to time—they had no concept of trying to free themselves from their captors. Moses, on the other hand, had known nothing but freedom, and he knew in his heart what it was like never to have to answer to the lash of the taskmasters.
    â€œLeave him alone,” Miriam said suddenly, and her parents and Aaron turned to stare at her in shock. Her eyes were open wide and fixed on Moses. “My brother Moses is right. What good will it do us if the Egyptians give us a little more food or a little time off? We will still all die in Egypt as slaves. Do not listen to them,