In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

They said: ‘Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence or tyranny against us.’ Answered He: ‘Have no fear. I shall be with you. I hear all and see all. Go, then, you two to him and say, “We are the emissaries of your Lord. Let the children of Israel go with us, and oppress them no more. We have now come to you with a message from your Lord. Peace to all who follow (God’s) guidance.

“It has been revealed to us that the suffering shall befall those who deny the truth and turn away (from it)’.”

(Pharaoh) said: ‘Who, now, is this Lord of you two, Moses?’

(Ta Ha: 20: 45-49)

 

 

We have been speaking about the address Moses received from his Lord, when he was on his way back to Egypt, and felt himself lost in the middle of the desert. It was at that time that he saw a light of fire at a distance, and he went there to get a light and ask directions. But when he got there he received instructions from God Himself in a direct address.

So far we have discussed what Moses was told in that spot when God addressed him directly as he was alone in the desert. The Surah then takes us across time and place, covering an indeterminable period of time and long distance, to show us both Moses and Aaron expressing their worry to their Lord concerning their forthcoming confrontation with Pharaoh. They feared most of all that he might be quick to punish them severely and cause them much harm when they called on him to believe in God.  “They said: Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence or tyranny against us.”

For certain, Aaron was not with Moses at the time or place where the latter had his unique experience, when his Lord spoke to him, favoring him with a long interactive discourse, clarifying all necessary issues and allowing him to ask questions and giving him the answers he needed. The fact that now both Moses and Aaron make the reply together, saying, “We fear lest he hasten with insolence or tyranny against us,” suggests that this was made at a later time. This is part of the Qur’anic method of skipping over time and place, leaving gaps in the scenes and events of a story, which are gathered and understood as one reads on. Thus, the Qur’an concentrates on events, actions and attitudes which inspire the reader and the listener.

So, after Moses left the place where he received God’s long address, close to Mount Sinai, he met with his brother, Aaron. The latter also received God’s revelation commanding him to be with his brother and that together they should address Pharaoh. Hence, the two together express their worries to their Lord: They said: “We fear lest he hasten with insolence or tyranny against us.” This means that they feared the impulsive reaction of Pharaoh, which might be too strong, and they feared his tyranny, which was much more profound than mere physical harm. In his power, Pharaoh could be expected to resort to either of these or to both of them.

At this point they receive God’s decisive answer which leaves no room for fear or worry: “Answered He: Have no fear. I shall be with you. I hear all and see all.” Thus, God Almighty who has power over all creatures and who creates the universe and all creatures in it, using nothing more than His will to bring them into existence, tells them that He is with them. This should have been sufficient, but God adds to that what increases their certainty of assured help. This is evidenced by the fact that He hears all and sees all. What could Pharaoh do against the power of the Almighty, in both his precipitate reaction or well-considered one?

Coupled with this reassurance Moses and Aaron are given guidance on the form of invitation they should make to Pharaoh and on how to argue their case: “Go, then, you two to him and say: We are the emissaries of your Lord. Let the children of Israel go with us, and oppress them no more. We have now come to you with a message from your Lord. Peace to all who follow (God’s) guidance. It has been revealed to us that the suffering shall befall those who deny the truth and turn away (from it).”

Thus they should start by stating the foundation of their message: “We are the emissaries of your Lord.” This would give him right from the first moment the understanding that it is God who is his and all people’s Lord. He is not the Lord of Moses and Aaron, or the children of Israel alone. It was one of the superstitions that spread in the days of ignorance that each group of people, or each tribe, had its own deity or deities. Moreover, it was commonly held in some periods of history that the Pharaoh of Egypt was a deity to be worshipped in Egypt, as he was claimed to be of godly descent.

When the basic element of their message was thus outlined, Moses and Aaron were to explain their immediate concern: “Let the children of Israel go with us, and oppress them no more.” That was the limit of their message to Pharaoh, to save the children of Israel and bring them back to the monotheistic faith. They would then lead them to the blessed land which God had assigned to them for settlement (up to the time when they would sink into corruption and be destroyed as a result.)

They further show him a sign to prove that they were telling the truth when they told him that they were messengers from his Lord: “We have now come to you with a message from your Lord.” They follow this with an element of encouragement, hoping that he might respond: “Peace to all who follow (God’s) guidance.” It might be that when he had listened to this that he would respond to the greeting of peace and accept God’s guidance.

They then add an element of implicit warning, in order not to stir his arrogance which could lead him to take a hostile and oppressive action. “It has been revealed to us that the suffering shall befall those who deny the truth and turn away (from it).” It might be that he would decide not to include himself among those who deny the truth and turn away from it.

We see here how God has given Moses and Aaron reassurance and showed them the way to follow. He indeed outlined their course for them so that they would approach their task with peace, reassurance and clear guidance.

At this point the curtains are drawn, only to rise again and we see the scene of both Moses and Aaron in their confrontation with the tyrant. This will be our subject for discussion next week, God willing.