The Assault upon Kings and Tyrants in the Moses Tradition

The biblical traditions concerning Moses in the book of Exodus and Numbers contain an obvious critique of tyrannical kings and their oppressive deeds, as dramatically metaphored by pharaoh and his actions. Movies and cartoons over the years have captured the power of this dramatic symbolism. A close reading of the text unveils how even more deeply penetrating this critique of power and the wielders of power is within our biblical narratives. At times with deadly seriousness and at times with humor our biblical author assaults the prerogatives of kings and their advisers. This essay is not so much a scholarly exposition as a theological reflection upon the powerful political imagery of our sacred text. Too often in our biblical theology we fail to appreciate the depth of the biblical assault upon tyranny and the corresponding affirmation of human freedom and equality.