In the final installment of The Surrender Collection, Moses is pictured facing away from us with the Ten Commandments in one hand and the staff in his other hand. At first glance, you might feel a cold feeling toward this painting, wondering why the man who led his people out of slavery suddenly has his back turned?

But that’s just it: he was chosen as a leader. And in this particular context, since there’s no pictured geographic space from which to infer proximity, all we can say for certain is that by looking at the painting, we are looking in the same direction as Moses, toward a more prosperous, moral future. Moses was not tasked with imposing punishments on misdeeds, convincing the noncompliant, or favoring anyone over another. He personified the true definition of leadership, which is to lead by example, and in this case, through Faith.

There’s another reason his face is not depicted, and that is to acknowledge that the strength and victory of the Exodus cannot be portrayed by a single face. Though Moses was the only one who had a direct line of communication to G-d, many people played a significant role in the success of the tumultuous mission. We therefore see Moses as a leader who holds to things dear: his Faith (the staff) and the Moral Law (the Ten Commandments).

In turn, we may consider ourselves to be well-equipped on any mission we take, as long as we have our hands full the way Moses does.

The title of this painting is Deliver Us, which is the first and last song played in the Movie. It plays a powerful role in setting the stage during the opening scene, where we witness the unfathomable hardships of the Hebrew slaves, as well as Moses’ mother, Jochebed, saving her son by casting him down the river. At this moment, the song acts as a haunting cry from the Hebrews, begging for respite from their endured torture. When the song plays at the end of the movie, and everyone is at last free from Pharaoh’s cruel reign, the song sounds victorious and joyful and serves as a reminder that their wishes were granted.

In the final scene, we see Moses at the top of the mountain looking down upon his newly freed people. His back is turned to us, and the tablets shuffle in his arms as he ascends to the edge of the cliff.

The artistic decision to paint Moses in solitude during the most communal and unified part of the story is meant to show that he represents more than what he is, always. He does not stand on top of the mountain as the sole victor. He represents all that is possible through Faith and through leadership, and in that way, he truly surrendered his individuality for that of his people.