As far as we know, the founders and early leaders of the Hebrew nation, such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, had no writings to turn to for help and spiritual inspiration, although the Bible itself calls Genesis the book of Moses; and the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, are also sometimes referred to as the book of Moses.
These great Hebrew characters must have lived close to God, for it is recorded that God talked with Abraham and with Moses. Moreover, it was upon the mountain of spiritual vision, away from all contact with his fellow countrymen and in communion with God, that Moses wrote the Ten Commandments. These Commandments have stood the test of time and have become the foundation of much of our civil law. Upon their basis the Hebrew nation was built and prospered, and again and again when the people lapsed and took on the idolatrous practices of those they had conquered, prophets arose to lead them back to the one God and the Mosaic law. There were those, however, who saw clearly that the law as given by Moses was incomplete and in due course the Messiah, or Christ, would come to proclaim a fuller understanding of God.
Mary Baker Eddy in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," gives a definition of "Moses" as follows (p.592): "A corporeal mortal; moral courage; a type of moral law and the demonstration thereof; the proof that, without the gospel,—the union of justice and affection,—there is something spiritually lacking since justice demands penalties under the law."
