Article appeared Friday, September 6th, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (586) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

A number of different Holy Scriptures record that God spoke to Moses directly. God
trained Moses to deliver His message to Pharaoh. The brothers Moses and Aaron then
went to Pharaoh to invite him to turn to God. A question that may be asked here is why
did God not talk to Pharaoh directly? As we look through history {1}, we similarly find
that God, through various means and ages, communicated with His selected
messengers who subsequently carried His message to the people they were connected
to. Why did not God send His message directly to each human being? Consulting the
Holy Scripture, the Qur’an, we find the following answer.
“If (such) were Our Will We could send down to them from the sky a Sign to
which they would bend their necks in humility.” [26.4]

That is, it is easy for our Creator to send a sign that would humble all persons on earth,
including those who are most arrogant. But He does not. Why not? To find possible
answers to this question let us consider the qualities He has built in each human being.
Again, in the Qur’an, we find,
“It is He Who brought you out from the wombs of your mothers when you knew
nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that
you may give thanks (to God).” [16.78]

What is God saying in this Verse? Hearing and sight are sensory input devices. Our
intelligence allows us to analyze what is input thus enabling us to distinguish between
truth and falsehood. Once we have established the truth in our minds, using our
emotions, then, we have the ability to support the truth and demonstrate gratitude where
appropriate. How do we normally use these abilities? For example, we are able to see
and analyze a painting. If the quality of the painting is good, we become full of praise for
the painter. Are we also grateful to the painter for contributing his/her painting to society?
Does the painter himself/herself have to remind their fans about his/her contribution?

Likewise should the Creator have to remind His creation about the gift of life that He has
given each individual? At one point in time we did not exist, and now, we exist. If human
beings are easily able to evaluate the quality of a painting from the painted object itself,
in contrast, would recognizing the Creator through His creation be a comparatively
difficult task? In fact, God points out in the Qur’an:
“Do you not see that God created the Heavens and the earth in Truth? If He so
will He can remove you and put (in your place) a new Creation? Nor would that
be for God any great matter.” [14.19 – 14.20]

Is there any creation other than humans that can bear witness to the truth and reality of
God? If we do not want to do our job, would it be difficult for God to put a new creation in
our place who may do a better job?
“It is We Who have created you: why will you not witness the Truth?” [56.57]

If we have not created our self, should we contemplate on who has so that we can be
grateful to Him and acknowledge His blessings? If we do not want to know about Him, is
it a reflection of our poor character? Generally, with some exceptions, all those persons
chosen by God to become prophets and/or messengers initially searched for the true
God among multiple gods prevailing in their communities. They were then chosen and
guided by God. Similarly, it is the righteous duty of every human being to separate the
truth from falsehood. Sending of prophets and messengers to each community {1} by
God is an extension of His Mercy and allows learning from peers without intimidation –
of course helpful for those [4.69] who are searching for the truth. What would God do
with those who not only do not search for the truth, but also declare themselves as gods
and oppress those whom God has given as subjects to rule over? Moses was chosen
from among people where the rulers had declared themselves as gods and were
oppressing sections of the community. The recorded history of Moses and Pharaoh
illustrates how God brings out the truth and deals with arrogant oppressors. The story is
picked up in Chapter 26 of the Qur’an.

26.10 “And (mention), when your Lord called Moses (saying), "Go to the people of
iniquity.”
The chosen prophet is being sent to people who are doing wrong. In this case,

26.11 “The people of Pharaoh: will they not fear God?”

Being the Almighty Creator, He is asking a simple question. Why will they not fear Him?

26.12 “He said, "O my Lord! I do fear that they will charge me with
falsehood:”
As Moses had lived among them, having human characteristics, and having committed a
crime, he was afraid that they would deny what he would say about God.

26.13 “And that my breast will tighten and my speech may not be fluent: so
send for Aaron.”

26.14 “And (further) they have a charge of crime against me; and I fear they
will kill me.”

26.15 “God said, "By no means! Go both of you with Our Signs; We are
with you, listening.”
God had taught Moses miracles to show that indeed they were messengers of the
Almighty Creator.

26.16 “Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We have been sent by the Lord and
Cherisher of the Worlds’,”

26.17 “Send with us the Children of Israel.”

Pharaoh was being asked to release those being oppressed by him.

26.18 “(Pharaoh) said, "Did we not cherish you as a child among us and did
you not stay with us many years of your life?”

26.19 “And you did a deed which (you know) you did and you are an
ungrateful (wretch)!”

26.20 “Moses: "I did it then when I was in error.”

26.21 “"So I fled from you (all) when I feared you; but my Lord has (since)
granted me judgment (and wisdom) and appointed me as one of the
messengers.”
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{Notes}:
{1} https://bahaiteachings.org/god-sent-prophets-every-culture