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Jesus, the Truer and Greater Moses

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In this article, we introduce a new blog series called Jesus, the Truer and Greater Moses.

Some people treat the Old Testament and New Testament as the Bible before Jesus and the Bible after Jesus, respectively. But to say this is to miss the point of the whole Book. The Old Testament is much more than just the “before Jesus” stuff. It’s more than just the story of Israel’s history. It’s the story of God preserving the seed of Christ which would come from Adam and Eve, on through Abraham, on through David, and would continue passing along until the proper time (or “fullness of time”) that Jesus would finally come to walk the ground He created (Gal. 4:4). It all points to Him. Thus, both the Old and New Testaments are about Jesus—the Old Testament is about the Messiah who is promised to come and the New Testament tells of the Messiah who has already come.

The whole Bible points to Jesus.

German Bible scholar Gerhard Von Rad says it this way: “The same God who revealed Himself in Christ has also left his footprints in the history of the Old Testament covenant people.” So, the whole Bible is about Jesus. Yes, even “the law and the prophets” are about Jesus. After all, Jesus Himself made that claim:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
(Mat. 5:17-18)

So the whole Old Testament—every jot, dot, and tittle—is about Christ. Do you see it? That is our hope for this blog series: that you will see that and stand in awe at God’s sovereign purposes as we look at Christ through one Old Testament example: the life of Moses. See, God’s amazing plan was always about Jesus. Jesus wasn’t the Father’s plan B. He was plan A all along. The Story and the Law have always been pointing to Him.

What does this have to do with Moses?

Moses. Who is he? In this blog series, we’re going to pick away and examine who Moses was, what was the role he played, and what did his ministry look like. And when we examine his life, we will see a picture of Jesus. Or to put it another way: Moses will be the lens through which we’ll look at Christ.

Moses is a type of Christ.

Moses is a type of Christ. We could also say he is a shadow of Christ. But what does that mean?

Basically, a “shadow” or “type” is a picture of a greater reality that is yet to come. It is something or someone intended by God to prefigure Jesus and give His people a taste so that will anticipate and appreciate what God is going to do through Jesus Christ. Think about the tasting samples they pass out at Costco or food courts. Everybody loves those! Sure, those samples are free and typically delicious, but they alone will never satisfy your hunger. As scrumptious as they might be, they don’t even come close to feasting on the actual meal! That’s what Moses is to Jesus. Moses is the taster to wet your appetite. Jesus is the feast that satisfies.

Jesus is truer and greater than Moses.

If you were to ask an ancient Jew who their spiritual hero was, they might say the same thing: Moses. For them, he was the hero of the Old Testament. The author of Hebrews says, “Moses was faithful in all God’s house” (Heb. 3:5). He was also Israel’s greatest prophet. Even still, because we now have the New Testament and the testimony of Jesus, we know that Moses, great as he was, was just a shadow pointing forward to Christ.

Consider the author of Hebrews:

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”
(Heb. 3:1-6)

So we see that Moses prefigures Christ. Jesus is the one who is truer and greater Moses—the one who is “worthy of more glory than Moses.”

To understand what this means, we should consider: Who was Moses? Or, more specifically, what were the roles he played? Throughout this series, we will look at five different roles Moses fulfilled: prophet, law giver, mediator, deliverer, and servant. An in depth study of each of these will help us further understand what we mean when we say that “Jesus is the truer and greater Moses.”

Comments

  1. Hi Chris, my name is Dale, I am an Elder in a small House Church. In this setting I am used to mentor (disciple) young Christians. I love to point to Moses as a “type” of Jesus Christ. I typically use the sense of Deliverer, and show that the journey of the Jews out of Egypt, through the wilderness and into the promised land is analogous to our learning to walk with God. The only way to do this successfully is to keep our eyes on our Pillar Of Fire by night, and our Pillar Of Smoke by day, in other words, Jesus!
    No matter what He brings us through, we tend to act just like the Hebrews and complain, complain, complain, even though we are told very clearly to rejoice always!
    I am very excited to study further those 5 ways of seeing Jesus Christ in the life of Moses as 1.Prophet, 2. Lawgiver, 3.Mediator, 4.Deliverer and 5.Servant.
    I had always focused on the Type as Deliverer.

    BTW – I agree with Chuck Missler when he says “Jesus is on every page of the Old Testament.
    Thanks for the Blog.

    Dale

    • Thank you for this heart touching article. As I just studied about Moses 3 times pleading for God’s people in Deut 9 as picture of our Lord Jesus I would like to share these thoughts with you:

      Deut 9, a very important part of God’s holy law that starts with a
      “Shema Israel” (2x “yada” Know and understand; remember and don’t
      forget)?

      Through
      faith in the blood of Messiah Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, we have the
      redemption from death, sin, the world and the power of Satan as Israel
      was saved from the judgment of YHWH, Egypt and Pharao Rom 3,23-25; Col
      1,13, 1Cor 5,7-8, Acts 26,18; Hebr 2,14.. As believers today we still
      live in this world (although we are not from the world John 17,15-16).
      Every day we can experience that the world has nothing to feed our new
      life. It is a desert for us as it was for Israel after their exodus.

      Here
      in Deut 9 Israel is after 38 years in the desert Deut 2,14 a second
      time just before the crossing of the Jordan river and the entering into
      the promised land. They should definitely know that it is not because of their righteousness that God gave them this good land. This lesson is also hard to learn for us believers, that only by realizing that I’m dead with Messiah and raised up with Him, that I can enjoy to be seated with Him in the heavenly
      places (pictured in the promised land) Eph 2,6; Rom 6,3-6; Gal 2,20; Col
      2,12; 3,1-4.

      It is important for
      every believer to know that the death of my beloved Lord Messiah Yeshua
      has these 3 effects for me, pictured in Israels history: 1) Messiah died
      instead of me as the true Passover Lamb to bear my judgment. 2) His
      victory over Satan and death (pictured in the red sea) made me free
      from death, sin, the world and the power of Satan to serve the living and true God by obeying His word 1Thess 1,9-10. 3) Realizing my indentification with Messiah in His death (the true ark of the covenant in the river of Jordan Jos 3.14-16) enables me to enjoy the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God Col 3,1. Yes, we know that there are spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places against us Eph 6,12 as the sons of the Anakim for Israel. As it was for Israel we can only “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” Eph 6,10. But how many times today was I in my thoughts were Christ is in glory to praise Him?

      In Deut 9 we are remembered that Moses was 3 times
      40 days and 40 nights before YHWH – twice on the mountain v9, v18 and
      once within the tent v25. Why was Moses so long on mount Horeb? Did it
      take so long to write the 10 commandments on the stone tablets?

      We
      know that in these first 40 days on mount Sinai Mose received also the
      instructions for Gods dwelling place among Israel. God begins with the
      most holy and precious for Himself: The ark of the covenant that should
      contain the second stone tablets Ex 25-31. “And in the ark you shall put the “testimony” which I will give to you Hebr 9.4. There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between
      the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak
      to you about ALL that I will give you in commandment for the sons of
      Israel” Ex 25,21-22. This points to the greatest prophet Yeshua who shall speak to Israel and us ALL that YHWH commanded Him Deut 18,18; Acts 3,22-23. God speaks to us in His Son Hebr 1,1-2 pictured in Moses Num 7,40; 12,6-8. Only the high priest could enter once a year into the place of the mercy seat. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed Hebr 9,6-10; 10,19.

      Isn’t
      Deut 9 pointing to Yeshua pictured in Moses as well as in the two
      commandment tablets containing God’s Word Rev 19,13? What had happen to
      Israel if God’s good and just and holy commandmants would have entered
      the camp of Israel? – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” Rom 1,18. Yes, “we establish the Law” 3.31 and we have to know that “the Law brings about wrath” 4,15. Israel and all of us should earnestly remember and never forget that at Horeb Israel provoked YHWH to wrath, and YHWH was so angry with them that He would have destroyed them if Mose hadn’t, as a picture of our Lord, fell down before
      YHWH to intercede for Israel already on the mountain. As our Lord
      interceded for His disciple Peter who trusted in himself that his faith may
      not fail Luke 22,32. What a grace that our
      Lord was ready instead of you and me to be broken as the stone tablets
      Ps 31,12. He had to restore what He did not steal Ps 69,4.

      What
      took Mose the second time on Horeb so long even 40 days and nights
      without eating nor drinking, a real divine miracle pointing to a greater
      in Messiah Yeshua? – Again I think it wasn’t the writing of the same 10
      Commandments on the second tablets but a fuller insight of God’s grace
      in dwelling among His people Israel on the base of the daily sacrifice,
      speaking of Yeshua, because right after they started the construction of
      the tabernacle Ex 35. But it’s interesting that the first description
      of the tabernacle Es 25-31 closes with the earnest warning that “whoever
      does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death” 31,15
      and the report of building the tabernacle begins with this same warning
      35,2. Why this? – Hebr 4,10 makes an important conclusion for us: “For
      the one who has entered God’s rest has himself also rested from his
      works, as God did from His.” Again what a hard lesson for Israel and
      believers today: The first prove of obedience is to accept that works of
      the law can’t help me to be acceptable before God wether in redemption
      nor in serving Him. God freely bestowed His grace on us by accepting us in the Beloved Eph 1,6 and we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory by beholding the glory of our Lord with unveiled face 2Cor 3,13.18.

      When Mose came the second time from Horeb he didn’t realize that
      the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with YHWH Ex
      34,29-35. Ex 33-34 and Deut 9 reveal us the subject of their speaking:
      Grace, Grace, Grace! Also for Aaron, the high priest, taken
      from among men Hebr 5,1-10. Mose as a picture of Yeshua interceded for
      his brother and God in His grace uses Aaron in Num 16,41-50 to make
      atonement for Israel after their rebellion with his censer and the fire from the altar.

      The
      third time that we see Moses 40 days and nights before YHWH is after
      Israel’s refuse in unbelieve to enter the good promised land. Deut
      9,23-29; Num 13-14 and Ps 106,24-27 reveals us that when they despised the pleasant land, God once more swore to cast them down in the wilderness. What is Moses reaction? Again we see him as pointing to Yeshua, who
      always lives to make intercession for us Hebr 7,25. What a grace that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 1John 2,1. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God 1Pe 3,18. Mose reminds God of what is so precious for Him: Your people, Your inheritance, Your greatness, Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Your great power and Your outstretched arm. Are we willing to enter His inheritance that the surpassing greatness of His power wants to give us in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places Eph 1,18-23?

  2. Glad you are doing this. Perhaps we will talk about the glaring difference between the Old Testament God who hates the wicked and the New Testament God who died for them. It’s what it says. I don’t get it. Thanks.

    • I’m sure this topic will be great for that discussion and taking down the dividing wall between the Old Testament and the New. I’m sure we will see that God has always hated sin and yet loved the sinner. In the New Testament we have the example of Ananias and Sapphira who God killed in Acts 5 because of their greed, and if God should have let their example influence the early church many would have been led astray. In the Old Testament their are countless examples of His mercies, Abraham in his deception before Pharaoh, Isaac in favoring Esau in his disobedience, Jacob in his manipulation and thievery of the birthright, Reuben in his adultery, Simeon and Levi in their hot anger of murder, the twelve brothers for selling their brother into slavery, the children of Israel in their countless rebellion against God through the wilderness, David and his adultery and murder and it goes on. God is ever merciful, even before He went against a city to destroy it He first said, “When you come near unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make you an answer of peace, and open unto you, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto you, and they shall serve you. And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it: (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). Yet there is a time when the wicked have sealed themselves in rebellion against Christ where God can do no more to draw them to Himself and they must be destroyed. Does God weep over the hard hearted? More than we can know… Even in the Old Testament His words are “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked will turn from his ways and live, turn you, turn you from your evil ways for why should you die O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11.

    • Hi Kathy! I am also interested on how this blog will help clear up the “difference” you mentioned. But I’d like to share with you (what I know) that it’s not the wicked (or the sinners) that God hated, or else HE wouldn’t have died for them. It’s always been the sin or the wickedness that God hated which the sinners are delivered from by God sending HIS Son Jesus Christ. I hope I don’t come across the wrong way, no judgment intended here. God bless!

    • Don’t give up on your pondering! If you can solve this riddle, you’ll find a treasure greater than this whole world put together… God Himself!!! God hates wickedness in the N.T. too- Matthew 12:36-37 2Thess.1:8-10 (there’s many more verses on this) …. and “the Old Testament God” died for sinners- it was His plan all along- Gen.3:15- God had a plan from the foundation of the world (Rev.13:8) that He would come through the lineage of a woman- Eve, and eventually though Abraham (Eve was his 18th-great-grandmother), and later through the virgin Mary. Jesus said the whole O.T. was about Him (John 5:39-40 Luke 24:27,44). God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked everyday (Psalm 7:11). He MUST punish sin. Therefore, because of HIS LOVE, He became a man, died on the cross, tasting the cup of wrath that we deserve, and therefore has taken away our sins! The law should help you see your sin (Romans 3:19)- http://www.livingwaterministries.com has helped a lot of people understand they’re desperate need before God for forgiveness (using God’s word of course). Most importantly keep searching the Scriptures, for they contain the words of eternal life. I’d love to type for hours, but you’ll see my huge post and never read it, besides, God’s word is the best place to learn firsthand anyway!! Oh the deep, deep, love of Jesus!!!

    • The riddle I was referring to in my previous post is found in Ex.34:6-7 “…The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty…”. He by no means clears the guilty, yet, He is merciful? gracious? longsuffering? forgiving sin? … How can this be!? The cross of Jesus Christ! He can’t let sin go unpunished, so even those who are ‘forgiven’ had their sins punished… they were laid on Jesus (read Isaiah 53!!! an O.T. Bible verse). Now God is still JUST/righteous & MERCIFUL! The death He died was no normal death either, it was God’s wrath that Jesus tasted (Isa.53:6,10 Matt.26:39 Psalm 11:5-6). And then Jesus rose from the dead and therefore is now Lord of the living and the dead! You too will rise from the dead and stand before Him! I pray that you will taste and see that He is good!

    • Hi Kathy, I pray that this study will bring about a new understanding of not only Moses, but the old and new Testament; in order that you
      understand that God did not hate the wicked…it was for this very
      reason that He sent His son, in order to save them.

  3. Water from the ROCK, manna (what is it?) from heaven, fire by day, cloud by night, sandles never wore out, walked in perfect health – yet – by listening to the report of 10 misdirected spies – could not (along with Moses) enter the land of promise.

    Grumbling, complaining, wicked hearts of unbelief – is this not what results in our not entering into His Promised rest by faith? Is not FAITH the only way to please our ABBA?

    Has He not said that His WORD will not return void to Him and will accomplish that for which He intends? Might not our NOT resting in HIM, in His Word, in His COMPLETED Work (in Christ) akin to unbelief?

    Thank you for the introduction to what will amount I pray, to bo a very thought provoking (repent provoking) blog –

    Thomas

  4. It took me half a lifetime to actually read the Bible..both old and new covenants..and to realise how Jesus really fits into the picture! This study will hopefully allow me to understand even more fully how the big picture comes together and how to translate it to those who either reject God totally or who are seeking the path to the Truth. I learned not to be pushy but enjoy planting seeds and watering them when the opportunity knocks!

  5. Hi Chris, my name is Jim. I do enjoy studding the Bible, and I have not only found that the old Testament speaks of Jesus, but I have found that He has been showing up in person more times during Moses’ walk with Israel, than any other time in the history of the Bible.

  6. Hi Chris. I have been using BLB for many years to study the Scriptures and write Bible studies. I just finished some personal study on Moses and look forward to reading your blog.

  8. Thank you Chris for this timely discussion. It coincides with this years BSF study lessons of Holy Scripture about Moses. I will closely follow your ministration of Moses for an even more enlightened understanding of GOD’s Word.

  10. I don’t see Moses as “a type of Christ” since “Christ”
    means “anointed one” and Moses was barred from entering the Promised Land. I can’t say, I never met any of these guys, but to me it doesn’t matter what the majority thinks (people tend to believe whatever they are taught). Joshua and Caleb might be truer representations of faith?

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