Harry Potter and the Burning Bush

Many biblical allusions can be seen in J.K. Rowling's series. Although the backlash in the conservative Christian community has caused somewhat of a kerfuffle, Harry Potter is filled to the brim with obvious and subtle characteristics similar to those in the stories of Moses and Jesus. Today, I will discuss the similarities between Harry Potter and the liberator of the oppressed Israelites of Egypt. The following aspects within the life of Moses can be seen in the life of Mr. Potter.

"Then she placed the child in [a papyrus basket] and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile."
- Exodus 2:3

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone opens the series with our first similarity. Infant Potter is being brought to the home of Vernon and Petunia Dursley in Little Whinging, Surrey...in a basket. Like baby Moses floating down the Nile to escape persecution, Potter is sent away from imminent danger. They are also both sent to live with those that are not their kind: Moses with the Pharaoh's daughter, Harry with muggles. Both grow up believing they belong to the world they live in. This leads to their ultimate realizations.

"There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up."
-Exodus 3:2

Moses begins to realize he is not the man he thought he was after witnessing the violence committed on several Hebrew slaves. His anger at the Egyptian slave-driver prompted him to commit murder and run away to the small desert town of Midian. Harry's realization begins when small sealed envelopes fall from swooping owls into the normal home on 4 Privet Drive. After becoming overwhelmed by the astronomical amount of post, the Dursleys run to a secluded island cabin. Here is where each receive their true message and calling. Moses comes across the angel of the Lord within a burning bush while tending to his sheep on Horeb, the mountain of God. Here, God tells Moses of the pain He hears from the Israelites and of the promise He made to the sons of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac. He sends Moses to alleviate the suffering of his Hebrew brothers by confronting the oppressor, Moses' former "brother", Rameses II.

Now, this may sound silly to propose this comparison, but look beyond.

Hagrid is Harry's burning bush.

I am being completely serious when I say this. By no mean, however, am I saying that Hagrid is the angel of God, or an embodiment of God. He simply is a messenger. Essentially, Hagrid is the man from which Harry learns his true course in life. Like the burning bush of the angel of the Lord, Hagrid indirectly (by explaining his wizardry, getting him to Hogwarts, etc.) puts Harry onto the path towards liberation from deep fear created by the reign of the Dark Lord. From the recovering the sorcerer's stone to destroying the final horcrux, Potter is made the crusader against the malignant oppression.

"'Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.'"
-Exodus 3:10

Throughout the seven novels, Harry has proved himself to be the liberator and protector of, not only his people, but of all against Lord Voldemort. The Wizarding World and beyond became afflicted with the sick darkness that spread from the evil corners of Tom Riddle's mind. In the final book, the tale culminates in a monumental battle between good and evil (quite biblical, if I do say so myself) and results the closing clash between Harry and Voldemort, reflecting ultimate end to the Pharaoh as he chased the Israelites through the Red Sea. Potter defeats the embodiment of evil in the final showdown and is able to lead the oppressed wizards to a land of "milk and honey".