Final answer:
Moses is an allegory for religion because his life symbolizes themes of divine providence, salvation, and liberation, which are central to Abrahamic religions, and his stories parallel narratives in other religious traditions, emphasizing universal moral and spiritual lessons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The character Moses is an allegory for religion because his life and actions symbolize the broader themes and experiences common to various religious beliefs, particularly within the Abrahamic traditions. For instance, the act of Moses striking the rock to provide water for the Israelites can be seen as an allegorical representation of divine providence and salvation, themes central to Christianity and its view of the role of the Church. Similarly, his demand that Pharaoh release the Hebrews reflects the theme of liberation from oppression, which resonates with the Christian story of salvation from sin through Christ.
In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we learn that after leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses went to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Upon his return, he found the Israelites worshipping a golden calf, betraying their covenant with God, which is an allegorical story about faithfulness and the consequences of idolatry. This is reflective of the single-minded worship that defines monotheistic faiths.
Furthermore, Moses's life parallels narratives in other religious and legendary traditions, such as the Akkadian story of Sargon the Great. This intertextuality highlights the way biblical stories often serve as allegories for moral and spiritual lessons, illustrating a unifying theme of salvation found not just in Christianity but echoed in other faiths as well. Miracles associated with Moses are paralleled in Christianity and Islam, strengthening the comparative understanding of Moses as an allegorical figure for religious faith and divine intervention.