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Great Lives From God's Word
Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication
What can the incredible life of Moses teach us about modern Christianity? When you face your personal Red Sea, will you be prepared like Moses was? Join pastor and bestselling author Charles Swindoll as he explores the life and legacy of Moses, a man of selfless dedication. In Great Moses , the fourth book in his bestselling Great Lives series, Swindoll teaches us that our decision to go forward in life instead of retreating will be bolstered by studying the astonishing story of Moses. Swindoll gives us the facts based squarely on the truth revealed in God's Word. He also fills in the fine-line details of Moses' life with emotion and feeling, because Moses, like all of us, was a human being with faults and frailties. And finally, Swindoll helps us apply the lessons of Moses' life to our own daily dilemmas. From the Moses who tried to decline his assignment from God to the Moses who received the Ten Commandments, Swindoll shares his journey in a new light, inspiring you Come along with Swindoll as he invites you to travel far back to another place in another era--allowing us to focus our attention on one man's life, clinging closely to his side. Hopefully, as a result, our lives will never again be the same.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1998
270 people are currently reading
912 people want to read
About the author
Charles R. Swindoll
965 books833 followersCharles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 5, 2013
Can I give this one 10 stars? Best book I ever read. Period. It was moving, challenging, touching, whispering, cleansing, a ray of hope, comforting, enlightening...I could go on and on.
Before reading this book I had more of a Sunday School image of Moses in my mind, and now he seems like a dear friend and my new favorite hero-of-faith. I couldn't read this book fast enough, I was learning to much and was hungry for more, and yet I wanted to linger over every word, every phrase to savour and ponder over the meanings and application. I pencilled in many, many lines to reference back to when rereading, as I'll often do - I don't think you could flip a page without finding *at least* one portion that has been underlined. ;)
The book covers topics of faith, leadership, biblical insights on Moses and the Israelites, and many other wonderful lessons.
This book "will help you relate to a man who lived in your kind of world, faced your kinds of struggles and didn't always handle them correctly, but who, in spite of sins and shortcomings, became useful in God's hands for God's sovereign purposes, in keeping with God's perfect timing and plan." (introduction)
The author does tend to shift his message to that of the ministry from time to time, but for me, and what I feel God has and is calling me to in my own life, it was just a matter of shifting the application a bit. I simply note this for other readers. For the most part I agreed with Pastor Swindoll on everything, only in minor not-important-enough-to-be-discussed issues did I disagree, and that I think more on preference taken from my own experiences.
I recommend this to anyone who desires to be challenged and encouraged in their faith, who wants to take a stand and to step out following where the Lord leads.
"Letting go works against human nature. But God wants us to do just that - to freefall into His everlasting arms and trust completely in Him. It's all part of His plan." (p.192)
Before reading this book I had more of a Sunday School image of Moses in my mind, and now he seems like a dear friend and my new favorite hero-of-faith. I couldn't read this book fast enough, I was learning to much and was hungry for more, and yet I wanted to linger over every word, every phrase to savour and ponder over the meanings and application. I pencilled in many, many lines to reference back to when rereading, as I'll often do - I don't think you could flip a page without finding *at least* one portion that has been underlined. ;)
The book covers topics of faith, leadership, biblical insights on Moses and the Israelites, and many other wonderful lessons.
This book "will help you relate to a man who lived in your kind of world, faced your kinds of struggles and didn't always handle them correctly, but who, in spite of sins and shortcomings, became useful in God's hands for God's sovereign purposes, in keeping with God's perfect timing and plan." (introduction)
The author does tend to shift his message to that of the ministry from time to time, but for me, and what I feel God has and is calling me to in my own life, it was just a matter of shifting the application a bit. I simply note this for other readers. For the most part I agreed with Pastor Swindoll on everything, only in minor not-important-enough-to-be-discussed issues did I disagree, and that I think more on preference taken from my own experiences.
I recommend this to anyone who desires to be challenged and encouraged in their faith, who wants to take a stand and to step out following where the Lord leads.
"Letting go works against human nature. But God wants us to do just that - to freefall into His everlasting arms and trust completely in Him. It's all part of His plan." (p.192)
September 10, 2014
Quote from book, page 366 "Consider what he(Moses)gave up and what he received in return. There was no monument to this man of selfless dedication. No towering sphinx. No imposing pyramid. Egypt was more than willing to forget that such a man ever existed. He was buried on some lonely peak on the barren slopes of Mount Pisgah, without so much as a single flower on his grave. He willingly traded the earthly monuments and acclaim, the perks, the power, and the pleasure for a reward in an invisible realm. He cashed it all in-every shekel of it-for a relationship with the living God.
It was the best trade anyone could have made. What he lost, he couldn't have kept anyway, and what he gained, he could never lose.
Moses couldn't do any better than that. Neither can we."
It was the best trade anyone could have made. What he lost, he couldn't have kept anyway, and what he gained, he could never lose.
Moses couldn't do any better than that. Neither can we."
April 5, 2019
I was expecting this book to be more or less about Moses, and while Moses is a main character in this title, I found that Chuck was the main character, the audience was the secondary character, the children of Israel followed closely behind with Moses coming in the rear. While there are certainly helpful insights found within, the book focused on making trite and unorganized applications toward the reader. I am not against making applications, but the applications in this book are scattered and without a general flow. Also, I feel Chuck focused more on the audience than on Moses himself. It was so audience-centric that it seemed to leave out God’s overall work through Moses. Though there are parallels we should draw between Moses and ourselves, where are all the parallels between the Exodus and Christ? For instance, Chuck goes through the whole Passover story without mentioning Christ’s work on the cross. How is that possible? This is a very surface-level study of the Christian life using Moses’ life as “evidence.” Maybe we should draw from the Scriptures their meaning rather than spiritualizing them into what we want them to mean.
March 7, 2013
This book leaves no stone unturned in the life of Moses. Honestly, at times, it feels like you're there by Moses' side as his life story unfolds before your eyes. Humanly flawed, heavenly-charged - Moses never seemed to actually take his focus off of his goal of seeing his people living in the fullness of life they were created for. This volume is both inspiring and encouraging - just what any discouraged heart or soul searcher needs to draw their eyes from their own navel gazing. A reminder that if we lift our eyes, we can see a light shining in the distance that beckons us to stay in the race til the end of the course. It will be worth it, no matter how many things may look impossible, trust God and wait for it. This is a pretty sizable read, but well worth the time! Good books don't leave the reader unchanged, and I believe this book fits that description of 'good'.
October 15, 2012
You may have heard the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." But this study of the life of Moses shows that God helps the hopeless.
Through being raised by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses had all the worldly leadership training that was on offer. But when he murdered an Egyptian, part of his lifelong battle with anger, he had to flee Egypt. While he was gone he got 40 years of training in humility.
This book is filled with Swindoll's typical insights that elevate your thinking, inspire you to look to God and walk on his paths, and give you a fresh way of seeing the Scriptures.
You'll find this book especially helpful if you're in leadership or a service role.
Through being raised by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses had all the worldly leadership training that was on offer. But when he murdered an Egyptian, part of his lifelong battle with anger, he had to flee Egypt. While he was gone he got 40 years of training in humility.
This book is filled with Swindoll's typical insights that elevate your thinking, inspire you to look to God and walk on his paths, and give you a fresh way of seeing the Scriptures.
You'll find this book especially helpful if you're in leadership or a service role.
March 24, 2017
I love this set of books, and each time I read one I realize how little I knew and understood before. This volume on Moses was no exception. Not only did I learn more about the man God called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, I learned more about God. This book challenged my faith and I know many of the lessons shared within its pages will continue to live within me and help guide me.
January 31, 2013
One of the best books I've ever read. This book was placed in my hands at the right time when I NEEDED it. Thank God! One of my favorite books!
December 1, 2021
The priest at my former church once told me there were a lot of rubbish Christian books out there, in the context that he would be happy to point me towards certain ones, and away from others. I suppose Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication perfectly justifies his warning.
For such a worthy topic, and what could have been a remarkably interesting and important biography, this book falls so short in so many ways I can't, despite the writer's good intentions, give it more than one star. This is the worst kind of Christian book you could get.
Filled with cliched banalities, cheesy humour and an insufferable sugar hit of the writer's self-prided witticisms, it sucks at Biblical commentary, being of the most shallow, elementary kind. It focuses too little on Moses himself, even the greater Exodus story, at the expense of Swindoll's lame attempts to inject his own life into the book.
Reading other reviews, I was glad to see I was not the only person put off by Swindoll's constant need to paraphrase the Word of God (literally, God's dialogue in the Bible) to suit the modern American idiot. There's layman's terms, then there is this. It is painful and pulls you right out of the book. It's like listening to an asshole give a homily, under the auspices of appealing to the unlearned atheist who never intends to pick up a book.
I also didn't like the way Swindoll constantly tries to involve the reader by directly asking them to compare their own life situations with Moses. I really could not bear with the whole desperate need to make Moses "relatable" when, firstly, it isn't the point of the Torah (that the great leader was just some average Joe who liked to make wisecracks when he wasn't tending sheep); and secondly, it doesn't matter whether he is or not.
I should never like to read anything else by this man because he clearly appeals to the lowest common denominator. The whole time I couldn't help feeling it was one of those books released into the local parish that only the closest of the pastor's friends would be roped into reading and "liking". However, this is part of a popular series, and it seems that Swindoll is actually quite respected in some Christian circles.
I mean nothing personally against the guy. In fact, I watched some of his stuff of Youtube and he is, to be honest, a good and pretty engaging speaker. But man, this book was one long, cheesy, pointless waste of time and a shame for anyone who chooses to read it, when there must be so many greater books on Moses out there.
For such a worthy topic, and what could have been a remarkably interesting and important biography, this book falls so short in so many ways I can't, despite the writer's good intentions, give it more than one star. This is the worst kind of Christian book you could get.
Filled with cliched banalities, cheesy humour and an insufferable sugar hit of the writer's self-prided witticisms, it sucks at Biblical commentary, being of the most shallow, elementary kind. It focuses too little on Moses himself, even the greater Exodus story, at the expense of Swindoll's lame attempts to inject his own life into the book.
Reading other reviews, I was glad to see I was not the only person put off by Swindoll's constant need to paraphrase the Word of God (literally, God's dialogue in the Bible) to suit the modern American idiot. There's layman's terms, then there is this. It is painful and pulls you right out of the book. It's like listening to an asshole give a homily, under the auspices of appealing to the unlearned atheist who never intends to pick up a book.
I also didn't like the way Swindoll constantly tries to involve the reader by directly asking them to compare their own life situations with Moses. I really could not bear with the whole desperate need to make Moses "relatable" when, firstly, it isn't the point of the Torah (that the great leader was just some average Joe who liked to make wisecracks when he wasn't tending sheep); and secondly, it doesn't matter whether he is or not.
I should never like to read anything else by this man because he clearly appeals to the lowest common denominator. The whole time I couldn't help feeling it was one of those books released into the local parish that only the closest of the pastor's friends would be roped into reading and "liking". However, this is part of a popular series, and it seems that Swindoll is actually quite respected in some Christian circles.
I mean nothing personally against the guy. In fact, I watched some of his stuff of Youtube and he is, to be honest, a good and pretty engaging speaker. But man, this book was one long, cheesy, pointless waste of time and a shame for anyone who chooses to read it, when there must be so many greater books on Moses out there.
May 20, 2013
I'm a avid book finisher. As in, I hate leaving books unread. It drives me nuts to not finish a book I've started. That being said, I didn't complete this book Moses by Charles Swindoll. And I'm not even going to put it back on my "To Read" queue, because I have no desire to finish it. After more than halfway through this book I realized that I was learning very little about the life of Moses, but more about the life of Moses applies to me. Which I guess is maybe how some people would enjoy to read about the life of an epic Bible character. But not me. Swindoll's constant "modern day analogies" and application list-making made me want to skip ahead. True, I listened to an audio of this book, and maybe if I had read it, I could have skipped ahead much easier and actually finished it. Not a terrible book, and I'd still recommend it to others, if this how they wanted to read about a Bible character. Wasn't my cup of tea.
November 26, 2023
Was hoping for more of the book to be dedicated to Moses and not life lessons. An excellent book for people interested in the latter though.
October 19, 2024
Chuck Swindoll does another great job taking a Bible character and makes him so personal and relatable!
August 13, 2019
This is a series of reflections on the life of Moses taken directly from the Bible and meant to encourage Christians to follow his example.
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October 19, 2025Chuck Swindoll is a name I’ve heard for years. He’s someone my grandfather references and quotes often. With that said, Swindoll’s voice is very reflective of his generation.
At first this merely caught me off guard—specifically the comments revealing his views on small children/parenthood. I was flabbergasted at his comparison of feeding little ones to wandering the desert for 40 years. Maybe it was satire? But it being included in some heavier circumstances, such as grieving death, just didn’t come across well to me. And the number of times he made remarks that showed his almost condescending (perhaps not the right word?) view of young children became almost laughable.
Additionally, contradictory elements continued to give me pause. For example, he discusses in an earlier chapter how he would not be in the delivery room with his wife because of his discomfort; yet, later talks about how God calls us out of our comfort zone and His work is not meant to be comfortable. One can argue, “Kayla, Chuck was talking about relocating for mission work!” My reply is, “Is not leading one’s family and supporting one’s spouse forms of ministry?”
Another example is how he begins the book by stating that biblical fiction, and fiction at large, is not something he does nor likes….yet, later tells readers to use their “imagination” as he paints the scene and dialogue of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush….is that not a scene of biblical fiction? But, again, I could sort of shake my head, chuckle, and move on. He does, in between these moments, have really good teachings and ideas presented, often pulling from what Scripture tells us about the life of Moses….and other biblical figures.
And all of this is what some would call “nitpicking.” Perhaps. Reading is subjective. What really “did me in” so to speak, however, is his assertions in a later chapter about anger and “blind rage” being the cause of most criminal acts, including the beating of women and children?! He was drawing parallels to Moses committing murder…but, as he quotes Exodus, Moses checks to ensure there are no witnesses. Does that not negate blind rage? He committed a sin knowing it was wrong after taking pause—there’s still lessons to be learned there. You don’t have to blur motives or the situation to try to venerate the man who would go on to lead the Israelites out of Egypt…but I will restrain myself from going on a large tangent on that point.
In summary, I will not be telling my grandfather my first Swindoll read is also, extremely likely, to be my last.
Chuck Swindoll is clearly a passionate man of God who has helped so, so many people. Many have and, more than likely, will continue to use his studies and words to grow in their personal walks with Christ. I do think, however, Swindoll is not everyone’s “cup of tea” and there are alternate studies and books that would be better for many readers.
At first this merely caught me off guard—specifically the comments revealing his views on small children/parenthood. I was flabbergasted at his comparison of feeding little ones to wandering the desert for 40 years. Maybe it was satire? But it being included in some heavier circumstances, such as grieving death, just didn’t come across well to me. And the number of times he made remarks that showed his almost condescending (perhaps not the right word?) view of young children became almost laughable.
Additionally, contradictory elements continued to give me pause. For example, he discusses in an earlier chapter how he would not be in the delivery room with his wife because of his discomfort; yet, later talks about how God calls us out of our comfort zone and His work is not meant to be comfortable. One can argue, “Kayla, Chuck was talking about relocating for mission work!” My reply is, “Is not leading one’s family and supporting one’s spouse forms of ministry?”
Another example is how he begins the book by stating that biblical fiction, and fiction at large, is not something he does nor likes….yet, later tells readers to use their “imagination” as he paints the scene and dialogue of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush….is that not a scene of biblical fiction? But, again, I could sort of shake my head, chuckle, and move on. He does, in between these moments, have really good teachings and ideas presented, often pulling from what Scripture tells us about the life of Moses….and other biblical figures.
And all of this is what some would call “nitpicking.” Perhaps. Reading is subjective. What really “did me in” so to speak, however, is his assertions in a later chapter about anger and “blind rage” being the cause of most criminal acts, including the beating of women and children?! He was drawing parallels to Moses committing murder…but, as he quotes Exodus, Moses checks to ensure there are no witnesses. Does that not negate blind rage? He committed a sin knowing it was wrong after taking pause—there’s still lessons to be learned there. You don’t have to blur motives or the situation to try to venerate the man who would go on to lead the Israelites out of Egypt…but I will restrain myself from going on a large tangent on that point.
In summary, I will not be telling my grandfather my first Swindoll read is also, extremely likely, to be my last.
Chuck Swindoll is clearly a passionate man of God who has helped so, so many people. Many have and, more than likely, will continue to use his studies and words to grow in their personal walks with Christ. I do think, however, Swindoll is not everyone’s “cup of tea” and there are alternate studies and books that would be better for many readers.
April 30, 2012
I am only on Chapter 8, and I am giving it this book 5 stars already. The Bible is my #1 favorite book and this has now become #2. Charles Swindoll gives us a REAL look Moses and the spiritual transformation process. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Great Lives Series.
Couldn't put it down...read this one in 3 days.
Charles Swindoll presents the Bible's REAL Moses-the Moses who tried to decline his assignment from God; the Moses who dazzled Pharoh; the Moses who received the Ten Commandments; the Moses who was disobedient and weak; the Moses who was the greatest leader of God's people in all of history. Through his faith and selfless dedication, Moses continually chose to follow God's will through difficult and seemingly impossible situations. This is the fourth volume of Swindoll's "Great Lives" series.
Couldn't put it down...read this one in 3 days.
Charles Swindoll presents the Bible's REAL Moses-the Moses who tried to decline his assignment from God; the Moses who dazzled Pharoh; the Moses who received the Ten Commandments; the Moses who was disobedient and weak; the Moses who was the greatest leader of God's people in all of history. Through his faith and selfless dedication, Moses continually chose to follow God's will through difficult and seemingly impossible situations. This is the fourth volume of Swindoll's "Great Lives" series.
February 4, 2015
Excellent read. This biography of Moses really opens up your understanding of his life as a whole and his significance to God and to the people he led. He had weaknesses and failures like everyone else except Jesus but right under Jesus he modeled what leadership is most of his life. A tremendous leader and servant of God's people that got fed up with leading a people that wouldn't help themselves despite of the miracles and provisions given for 40 years. That would drive anybody crazy. Swindoll really gave me something to think about in this biography of this man.
May 17, 2016
This book is one of my favorites, although I've only read it once (05/17/16 Update: read it again and love it even more). The breakdown of Moses' life, from being adopted by the egyptians to later having to bring them destruction, was fascinating. Having been adopted at birth myself, I truly appreciate the agony and pain Moses must have lived through. Chuck Swindoll does an awesome job of bringing the story to new life and draws lessons that are useful to anyone who reads it today.
June 30, 2010
Charles Swindoll takes the few facts we have about Moses from the Bible and other Christian literature and ties them to the ways we think and act in the world today. He voices his ideas and opinions as to how Moses and others thought and acted centuries before Jesus was born. Very well thought out. Generally easy reading. You get the feel of Moses as an everyday man who was called by God and didn't always go very willingly.
July 27, 2013
Wow! Long book!! You will go away with wonderful insights and wonderful application points.I think he touched on every single area of Moses thus justifying 369 pages.I enjoyed his book of David more but this was well written, too. Swindoll humor was added throughout to give an extra touch of enjoyment!
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May 14, 2013This is actually a great book that every leader should read in order to know what God is expecting from you in the ministry, I already finished it last week and it was extremely extraordinary learning what does God can do with any man who entirely give his live to Him I would recommend you this awesome book
March 15, 2016
Are you a wanderer? Most of us are. Are you a wonderer, sure you are. Then this book is a must read. Walk alongside of Moses and insert yourself there. This book will challenge you, encourage you, and hopefully, like me, it will provide you a reminder that God uses everyone as part of The Story of Life. Take notes, this is another excellent blueprint He provides. Blessings
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April 12, 2016An enjoyable read both for its revelation of cool details from Exodus and its bridge to personal application. My respect for and understanding of Moses and what God did with him definitely increased. Chapters such as "God's Will, My Way" and "The Desert: School of Self-Discovery" were particularly good.
December 18, 2016
One of the most impactful and timely books I have read. A fabulous, thorough and devotional look at the life of a man devoted to God. A man with faults like ours, aspirations and disappointments we can relate to. A man who allowed God to change him , use him , lead him and redeem him for the sake of others. A must read.
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January 26, 2009As a "get ready" for BSF this year I completed this over the summer. Chuck Swindoll has that gift of keeping Moses'life alive for us today. As I read there is less and less "old" about the Old Testament, but a path to how to be intimate with God through His Son Christ.
August 24, 2012
This was a very impactful book. It seemed like every time I read it I found something in it that really applied to what I was going through at the time. I like the way Chuck Swindoll writes.
I'll be reading more books in this series for sure.
I'll be reading more books in this series for sure.
December 1, 2014
one of the best books that revealed the life of an ordinary man who became an extra ordinary person when He gave his life to God to take charge. Somehow it also reminds me of our own potentials when we give all to Him and let Him take charge of our lives
April 10, 2016
Once again Dr. Swindoll has produced a fine book about a well known man of the Bible. The book is well organized, very readable, and instructive. Dr. Swindoll provides the reader with much Biblical application. A must read for someone studying or teaching Exodus!
April 9, 2018
This has been one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. It taught me how to rely on God more as I attempt to Pastor a flock of people. It also taught me that every Pastor struggles, and that God understands the difficulties that we go through.
October 30, 2022
I really enjoyed the way this book broke down Moses' life and made him a real person with real flaws and emotions who struggled with anger and inadequacy and also was one of God's greatest tools and a matchless man. It was a very good portrait of one of the greatest figures of the Old Testament.
September 28, 2008
Great accompaniment to get ready for next year's Bible Study Fellowship study
August 4, 2011
Encouraging and inspirational! Moses was 80 years old when God called him to lead His people into the Promised Land!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews