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Quiz about Dramatic Moments in the Life of Moses

Dramatic Moments in the Life of Moses Quiz

Moses is a key figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In this quiz I narrate dramatic events in his life--but leave the ending for you to identify.

A multiple-choice quiz by NormanW5. Estimated time: 8 mins.

Author
NormanW5

Time
8 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
323,255

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
435

Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (5/10), Guest 74 (0/10), Guest 174 (7/10).

1. The first story we have of an adult Moses happened while he was still living as an Egyptian and as part of Pharaoh's extended family. He had learned that he was an Israelite, so when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he "looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one" he came to the aid of the Israelite, killed the Egyptian, and hid the corpse in the sand.

That's a pretty dramatic start to the story of Moses. What happened next? Hint

Learning from a Hebrew slave he was scolding that the murder was widely known, Moses ran for his life.

Moses, forced to defend himself from Pharaoh, killed Pharaoh's eldest son.

Moses angrily confronted Pharaoh about the plight of the Israelites, and Pharaoh exiled him.

Moses was hired by the Israelites to protect them, and Pharaoh said "Egyptian or Israelite, you must choose."

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2. After 40 years with no dramatic events, Moses was working as a shepherd when he ran into God at a bush that was burning without being consumed. God told Moses to return to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and get the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses refused at first, so reluctant that "the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses." But after a long debate with God, complete with several persuasively miraculous signs, Moses collected his family and set out for Egypt. However, en route he angered God again, and God "sought to kill him" by making him seriously ill.

We know God didn't kill Moses, so what did happen? Hint

Moses' anger blazed back against Jehovah for His lack of loyalty, and God relented.

Moses gave all his wealth to the local priest Melchizedek, and God relented.

Moses' brother Aaron arrived from Egypt and tattooed Moses in the style of an Israelite priest, and God relented.

Moses' wife Zipporah circumcised their second son with a flint knife and cast the foreskin to touch Moses' feet, and God relented.

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3. One of the most dramatic events in Moses' life was the confrontation with Pharaoh which included the 10 plagues. The confrontation started with Moses and Aaron stating their case, and Aaron throwing down his rod, which turned into a snake. But Pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate the magic, as were they able to duplicate (on a smaller scale) the water turning to blood and other plagues. However, they finally came to plagues they could not reproduce.

What was the first plague the court magicians could not reproduce -- and what did the magicians then do? Hint

Mosquitoes -- Told Pharaoh this was the finger of God.

Egyptian (only) livestock died -- Attempted to bribe Moses.

Boils on all Egyptians -- Attempted to kill Aaron.

Weighty hail -- Asked Pharaoh to pay them more money if he wanted this trick.

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4. Pharaoh changed his mind and wanted his slaves back, so he and his army chased Moses and the crowd of Israelites. The Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea, with no way to escape, when the best known, most dramatic moment in Moses' life occurred. God told Moses to hold his staff over the water, and the waters parted, letting the Israelites walk to the other side of the waters on dry ground. Naturally Pharaoh's army chased them, at which time the waters came crashing back down and drowned the army.

The Children of Israel must have felt an incredible group adrenaline rush! But, safe and relieved, what did they do next? Hint

The pillar of fire spoke to them and promised them safety, but they were terrified and complained to Moses.

The Israelites collapsed "and slept where they fell, every one" except Moses, who sacrificed three lambs to show his thanks.

Miriam led Moses and the Israelites in a song of praise to God.

Moses divided the Israelites into four rotating groups, one to stand guard, one to find food and water, and two to sleep.

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5. The Israelites left the Wilderness of Sin by stages and camped at Rephidim. When they discovered that there was no water, they complained to Moses: "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to kill us with thirst?" Moses in turned complained to God, "What shall I do with this people?"

Jehovah told him. What did Moses do next? Hint

Poured from a large jug, and as long as he poured the water kept coming.

Prayed for rain, and there was a cloudburst in the desert.

Took his staff and struck the rock God indicated, and water streamed out of it.

Asked a fiery cactus politely for help, and an unending stream flowed.

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6. God spoke to the people out of the thunder and lightning on Mount Horeb-Sinai and proclaimed the Ten Commandments. Then Moses went up the mountain to commune with God. He was so long that the people became afraid and insisted Aaron make an idol for them. Aaron took their ornaments and made a calf of gold. When Moses came down after 40 days, carrying two tablets of stone on which the 10 commandments were written, he was so furious about the golden calf that in one of his most dramatic moments he smashed the tablets against the rocks. The drama continued as Moses followed up by doing all of the following EXCEPT which? Hint

He ground up the calf, sprinkled the gold dust on the water, and made the people drink it.

He returned up the mountain and pled with the Lord to forgive the people.

He asked who was on the Lord's side, then sent the loyal Levites to slay those not loyal. 3000 died.

He exiled the ringleaders, delivering them into the hands of the neighboring Moabites.

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7. In Numbers 20, the people were grumbling and complaining yet again, and yet again Moses turned to God. God told Moses what he should do, but this time Moses was so angry and frustrated that what he did next made God angry enough to punish him by keeping him from ever entering the Promised Land.

What was it that Moses did next that cost him so dearly? Hint

He was told to remind the people of their covenant, but he "broke" the 10 commandments by throwing down the tables of stone.

He was told to wipe out the Moabites, but he gave women, children, and cattle to the tribal leaders.

He was told that only the High Priest should enter the Most Holy Place, yet he hid from the people there.

He was told to speak to the rock to get water, but he struck it as he had done before.

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8. Moses faced several rebellions while he led the people to Canaan. The most dramatic was when Levite leaders Korah, Dathan, and Abiram complained that the Levites were holy to the Lord as well, and Moses and Aaron should not "lift yourselves up above the assembly of the Lord." After several angry exchanges, the two sides lit incense in censers and stood at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Moses announced "If these men die the common death of all men...then the Lord has not sent me." Then all of the following happened EXCEPT which? Hint

The earth opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

A great plague killed 14,700.

Fire consumed the 250 leaders who had lit censers and followed Korah to the Tent of Meeting.

Poisonous snakes circulated among the people, biting those who had supported the rebels.

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9. Moses regularly had to deal with the people, were constantly grumbling against him and often even the Lord. On one occasion, when they complained "we loathe this light (contemptible, unsubstantial) manna," "the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died."

As so often, Moses tried to intervene and prayed for the people. What did God instruct Moses to do that saved many lives? Hint

Supply scorpions to bite those dying, which served as an antidote.

Cross the Dead Sea (ford it at a narrow spot).

Have the eldest sons paint the tent posts with serpents' blood.

Make a serpent of bronze for the people to look upon and live.

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10. At the end of his life, Moses and God had one last dramatic encounter before he died. Which of these was it? Hint

Moses climbed Mt. Nebo, and God showed him the Promised Land.

Moses climbed Mt. Sinai again, and God revealed the future history of the Chosen People.

Moses climbed Mt. Horeb, and God let him see His back.

Moses climbed Mt. Gerazim to bless the people, and God promised to honor the blessing.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first story we have of an adult Moses happened while he was still living as an Egyptian and as part of Pharaoh's extended family. He had learned that he was an Israelite, so when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he "looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one" he came to the aid of the Israelite, killed the Egyptian, and hid the corpse in the sand. That's a pretty dramatic start to the story of Moses. What happened next?

Answer: Learning from a Hebrew slave he was scolding that the murder was widely known, Moses ran for his life.

The quote in the question and all quotes in this quiz come from the Amplified Old Testament.

Biblical commentators sometimes approve of the murder in Exodus 2. One example is F. B. Meyer, author of "Moses, the Servant of God," who wrote that "there was true heroism in the act, when Moses stepped down from Pharaoh's throne to share the lot of his brethren." But that is interpretation in support of a teaching; Exodus clearly reports that Moses had every intention of keeping the murder secret and remaining at Pharaoh's court.

2. After 40 years with no dramatic events, Moses was working as a shepherd when he ran into God at a bush that was burning without being consumed. God told Moses to return to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and get the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses refused at first, so reluctant that "the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses." But after a long debate with God, complete with several persuasively miraculous signs, Moses collected his family and set out for Egypt. However, en route he angered God again, and God "sought to kill him" by making him seriously ill. We know God didn't kill Moses, so what did happen?

Answer: Moses' wife Zipporah circumcised their second son with a flint knife and cast the foreskin to touch Moses' feet, and God relented.

Zipporah acted only under duress. Read the Amplified version of Exodus 4:25:

"Now apparently he had failed to circumcise one of his sons, his wife being opposed to it; but seeing his life in such danger Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it to touch Moses' feet, and said, "Surely a husband of blood you are to me!"

3. One of the most dramatic events in Moses' life was the confrontation with Pharaoh which included the 10 plagues. The confrontation started with Moses and Aaron stating their case, and Aaron throwing down his rod, which turned into a snake. But Pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate the magic, as were they able to duplicate (on a smaller scale) the water turning to blood and other plagues. However, they finally came to plagues they could not reproduce. What was the first plague the court magicians could not reproduce -- and what did the magicians then do?

Answer: Mosquitoes -- Told Pharaoh this was the finger of God.

Some Biblical translations identify the third plague, in Exodus 8:16-19, as gnats, some as mosquitoes. The original text doesn't help--all Exodus lets us know for certain is that they were flying, biting insects, and that the court magicians could not create a similar effect.

All of the plagues in the answer choices are real Biblical plagues, by the way. The only items made up were the three incorrect options for what the magicians did.

4. Pharaoh changed his mind and wanted his slaves back, so he and his army chased Moses and the crowd of Israelites. The Israelites were backed up against the Red Sea, with no way to escape, when the best known, most dramatic moment in Moses' life occurred. God told Moses to hold his staff over the water, and the waters parted, letting the Israelites walk to the other side of the waters on dry ground. Naturally Pharaoh's army chased them, at which time the waters came crashing back down and drowned the army. The Children of Israel must have felt an incredible group adrenaline rush! But, safe and relieved, what did they do next?

Answer: Miriam led Moses and the Israelites in a song of praise to God.

The song takes 21 of the first 27 verses of Exodus 15. The opening goes:

"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider or its chariot has He thrown into the sea.
"The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
"The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.
"Pharaoh's chariots and his host has He cast into the sea; his chosen captains also are sunk in the Red Sea."

Answer: Took his staff and struck the rock God indicated, and water streamed out of it.

Exodus 17:6 reads, "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at [Mount] Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel."

Answer: He exiled the ringleaders, delivering them into the hands of the neighboring Moabites.

I have always found it remarkable that it was because of this moment of loyalty, loyalty that resulted in extreme bloodshed, that the Levites were made the priests of Israel. Exodus 32:29 states: "And Moses said [to the Levites, By your obedience to God's command] you have consecrated yourselves today [as priests] to the Lord, each man [at the cost of being] against his own son and his own brother, that the Lord may restore and bestow His blessing upon you this day."

7. In Numbers 20, the people were grumbling and complaining yet again, and yet again Moses turned to God. God told Moses what he should do, but this time Moses was so angry and frustrated that what he did next made God angry enough to punish him by keeping him from ever entering the Promised Land. What was it that Moses did next that cost him so dearly?

Answer: He was told to speak to the rock to get water, but he struck it as he had done before.

Before Moses's death, in Deuteronomy 34:4, God said to Moses: "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."

Answer: Poisonous snakes circulated among the people, biting those who had supported the rebels.

This story is in Numbers 16. Interestingly, this is one of the few times Moses attempted to intervene with God on behalf of the people and failed. Verses 20-22 report "And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.' And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin and will You be angry with all the congregation?" It seemed to work at first, as the Lord told everyone to separate themselves from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

But after those three men (and their households) were swallowed by the earth, fire and plague killed "the congregation."

9. Moses regularly had to deal with the people, were constantly grumbling against him and often even the Lord. On one occasion, when they complained "we loathe this light (contemptible, unsubstantial) manna," "the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died." As so often, Moses tried to intervene and prayed for the people. What did God instruct Moses to do that saved many lives?

Answer: Make a serpent of bronze for the people to look upon and live.

I've often wondered why this bronze serpent didn't set the stage for the return of the "graven images" that were forbidden in the 10 commandments.

The Amplified Bible's commentary on Numbers 21 reads in part: "Jesus said that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 'that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!' (John 3:14, 15). Obviously this implies that the look that caused the victim of a fiery serpent to be healed was something far more than a casual glance."

10. At the end of his life, Moses and God had one last dramatic encounter before he died. Which of these was it?

Answer: Moses climbed Mt. Nebo, and God showed him the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 34: 4-7 describes the last moments of Moses this way:
"And the Lord said to him, This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.
So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord,
And He buried him in the valley of the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day.
Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated."

Source: Author NormanW5

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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