Moses

Moses stands unique among the prophets. (Num. 12:6,8) The promise unto Israel was that a prophet like unto Moses should be raised up unto them. (Deut. 18:18) Undoubtedly this refers to Christ, the Messiah. (Acts 3:22) It follows, therefore that there would be points of comparison in the life and experiences of Christ which would afford means of identifying the prophet like unto Moses.

Here are twelve points of resemblance: Moses was preserved from death in infancy; so was Jesus. (compare Ex. 1:16 with Matt. 2:16) Moses fled to escape Pharaoh’s wrath; Jesus was taken to Egypt to escape Herod’s. Both were recalled on the death of the king. The man, Moses, was very meek; “learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart”, said Jesus. Moses, like so many others, was a shepherd; Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. Moses instituted the Passover; Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. The manna was given through Moses; Jesus said “I will give the hidden manna to those who overcome.” Moses lifted up the serpent; even so was the Son of Man lifted up. Moses smote the rock, and that rock was Christ. Moses was the mediator of the old covenant; Jesus is the mediator of the new. (Ex. 20:19, 1 Tim. 2:5) Moses gave Israel the Ten Commandments; Jesus also has given Commandments. We do not read of either Moses or Jesus being ill or infirm.

There are twelve things Moses and Jesus did. Both worked signs and wonders. Both fasted 40 days. Moses fed the people 40 years; Jesus fed 5000 and 4000 people. Moses turned water into blood; Jesus turned it into wine. Moses chose 12 spies; Jesus chose 12 apostles. Moses chose 70 elders; Jesus chose 70 disciples. Both healed lepers. Moses’ face shone when he came down from Mt. Sinai; so did Jesus’ face shine at the Mt. of Transfiguration. Moses ratified the blood of the old covenant with the blood of oxen; Jesus ratified the new covenant with his own blood. Moses promised another like unto himself; Jesus promised the Comforter to his disciples. The Red Sea was driven back; Jesus calmed the storm, and walked upon the water. Israel was figuratively baptized in the cloud and in the sea, they became the body of Moses; we are baptized into Christ and become the One Body. They forsook bondage for liberty; we must forsake sin for holiness.

We conclude that Jesus was indeed the prophet “like unto Moses.” He is God’s beloved Son. Let us then hear him and obey his commandments.