Article June 3, 1996 Issue

Does it take a strong ego?

Evelyn M. S. Duckett

Egotism —whether personal or national—seems to make little room for any other individual's sense of place and purpose. Domination can come along with egotism, inflaming disputes that range from family feuds to international conflicts. What can we do to dissolve the hardness of egotism with its oppressive effects?

In the Old Testament of the Bible, Moses had seen the domination of his people and wanted very much to free them from captivity in Egypt. He was looking after sheep in the wilderness when he heard the voice of God, saying: "I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows .... Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt."

At first Moses protested vehemently, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" God's reply was brief and reassuring: "Certainly I will be with thee." When Moses asked what he should tell his people, God said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Ex. 3:7, 10–12).

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