Privilege and a Burning Bush in The Prince of Egypt

Aaron
Jun 26, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Sep 20, 2021

I don't understand why it takes me so long to finish these blog posts, but I finally have my thoughts on Moses. If you missed the last piece on Miriam, click here.

When it comes to adapting the Exodus story, one scene you cannot get wrong is the burning bush scene. If the portrayal of God fails, then the whole movie fails, the Christians begin their riots, and Dreamworks never survives to create Shrek.

Thankfully, The Prince of Egypt pulls this scene off spectacularly, and I want to talk about it. Though, before we talk about burning bushes, let's provide a little context and enter the headspace of Moses.

"Moses, when did you start caring about slaves? Was it when you found out that you were one of us?"

"[You're] right. I did not see because I did not wish to see"

This movie introduces us to a Moses comfortable in his privilege as a prince of Egypt. That's not to say he is evil because of his privilege; we see Moses' redeeming qualities when he comforts Ramses and lets Zipporah escape.

However, Moses is apathetic towards the Hebrews.

"Freedom? Why would I care about that?"

"Careful, slave"

Just imagine addressing your own sister as "slave". Moses has no idea the Hebrews even need deliverance. Maybe that’s a worse kind of evil- where one is desensitized to suffering right in front of him.

Just look at the shame on Moses' face after Miriam opens his eyes.

And because of that shame, Moses knows he has to accepts Miriam’s call to be the Hebrews’ Deliverer. It's the only way to cope with the privilege, at least if you want to keep your conscience.

But Moses fails.

We might justify or excuse Moses’ actions- but that’s not the point. Moses can't see it the way we do. In his eyes, he killed a man, and he won’t forgive himself for it.

That's just another guilt added to what he already carries with his privilege. Or more so, his failure to use his privilege to save the Hebrews. And this breaks him.

"I have done nothing in my life worth honoring"

Thankfully, this is where God enters the story. (It pains me to skip most of the Jethro stuff, but we can't make this post too long)

To me, this scene is everything because it’s clear how much God cares. While most characters use their faces to express their emotions, God is faceless. So instead, the animators get creative and use the color of His fire to emote. Notice when God describes the Hebrews' suffering, His fire burns red with anger.

"I have seen the oppression of My people in Egypt, and have heard their cry"

"And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send... you"

"But I was their enemy. I was the prince of Egypt, the son of the man who slaughtered... their children!"

"You've chosen the wrong messenger!"

"Who made man's mouth? Who made the deaf, the mute, the seeing, or the blind?

"Did not I? Now go!"

Moses still carries the shame of his past and failure, and God essentially responds with, "how dare you doubt my faith in you?" It's almost like Moses' objections to this mission fuels His anger even more.

But when God sees how scared and fragile Moses is, and He reaches out with a gentle, soothing fire.

"Oh, Moses... I will be with you when you go to the king of Egypt".

"Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders"

"I will be with you Moses"

Watching this scene made me believe God's touch is better than any embrace you or I can imagine. The filmmakers pulling much of the dialogue straight from the Bible is the attention to detail that makes His portrayal perfect.

To me, it's God telling Moses that while He sees his past, God also believes his still life has value and honor. By assuring Moses in this way, God has given him something precious.

Strength.

The strength to take up his staff.