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To those in Israel...In Deuteronomy 18:18-19, Moses brings to Israel the following promise from God: "18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. In Acts 3:22-26, the Apostle Peter explains how this prophecy of Moses applies to Jesus Christ of Nazareth as Israel's Messiah. "22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Moses' words established three facts:1. God's promised to send to Israel a particular Prophet at a later time. The language Moses uses is singular throughout: "a prophet"…"Him shall ye hear"… "Whatever He says." These words cannot describe the later prophets in Israel as a whole. They referred to one special prophet. PARALLELS BETWEEN MOSES AND JESUS* Both Moses and Jesus were born in a period when Israel was under foreign rule. "8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. "1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. * Cruel kings decided that both Moses and Jesus should be killed as infants. "15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: "16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." * The faith of both Moses' and Jesus' parents saved their lives. "2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. "13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. * Both Moses and Jesus found protection for a time with the people of Egypt. "10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water." "14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: * Both Moses and Jesus displayed unusual wisdom and understanding. "And Moses was learned in all wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds." "Now so it was that after three days they found Him (Jesus) in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and answers." * Both Moses' and Jesus' characters were marked by meekness and humility. "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth." "Jesus said come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." * Both Moses and Jesus were completely faithful to God. "My servant Moses…is faithful in all My house" "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end." * Both Moses and Jesus were rejected by Israel for a time. "Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." "The governor answered and said unto them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" * Both Moses and Jesus were criticized by their brothers and sisters. "Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married and Ethiopian woman." "For even His (Jesus) brothers did not believe in Him." * Both Moses and Jesus were received by Gentiles after being rejected by Israel. "Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh (Egypt) and dwelt in the land of Midian…Then Moses was content to live with the man (Reuel), and he (Reuel) gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses." "On the next Sabbath almost the whole city (Jerusalem) came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: "I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth." Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord (Jesus). And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." * Both Moses and Jesus prayed asking forgiveness for God's people. "Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if you will forgive their sin – but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." "Then Jesus said (concerning those who were crucifying him), "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
* Both Moses and Jesus were willing to bear the punishment of God's people. Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if you will forgive their sin – but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." * Both Moses and Jesus spoke with God face to face. "Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord." "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son (Jesus), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." |