Undoubtably, one of the most influential people in history is Moses. He is also very Christ-like in certain aspects of his life and character. Let’s delve in and see how he compares to Jesus!
SIMILARITY #1: LIFE PURPOSE
First of all, Moses was sent by God to his generation for the purpose of bringing deliverance from slavery – just like Jesus! The deliverance through Moses was from Egypt, whereas Jesus’ was from sin and its consequence of eternal separation from God.
SIMILARITY #2: BIRTH CIRCUMSTANCES
Increasing Numbers of Israelites after Joseph’s generation passed caused the new Pharaoh to worry for his own people’s welfare, and so he enslaved them. Abusive Task Masters forced the people into Building Egypt’s cities, such as Pithom. And, as if the Ruthless taskmaster oppression wasn’t enough, Pharaoh also ordered all the Israelites baby boys to be killed upon birth! The Midwives feared God, however, and did not obey Pharaoh’s Murderous Order. This situation is very similar to Jesus’ birth, where in attempt to kill Jesus, King Herod the Great commanded for all children in and around Bethlehem who were 2 and under to be killed. Jesus’ family safely made an Escape to Egypt as God warned them ahead of time in a dream.
SIMILARITY #3: FAMILY SITUATION
After his birth, Moses’ mother Jochebed hid him for 3 months, but when she could no longer keep him safe, placed him in a basket and floated him down the river. He was Drawn Out by Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Helping Pharaoh’s Daughter to wean Moses was his sister Miriam as she and Jochebed returned the child Moses to Pharaoh’s Daughter to be raised as her son.
Jesus was also raised by people who were not his true parents. Jesus’ true “parent” is God the Father (of Whom He is eternally begotten – John 1:14). His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph the Carpenter, had the great privilege of raising Him, but He is the eternal God who pre-existed forever before Mary and Joseph came into being. He created them, not vice-versa!
SIMILARITY #4: CHARACTER AND CLOSENESS WITH GOD
In Numbers 12:3, we learn of the great Humility of Moses. He was the most humble man of everyone on Earth in his day, which is extremely Christ-like. Jesus described Himself in Matthew 11:29 as being “gentle and lowly in heart,” and Philippians 2:3-11 glorifies Jesus’ perfect and amazing humility. Given that pride is sin which separates us from God, is it any wonder that the extremely humble Moses had the most intimate relationship with Him? Indeed, Moses spoke “face-to-face” with God (Exodus 33:11), Who revealed His glory to Moses on numerous occasions (the Angel of the Lord in the Burning Bush, the giving of the Book of the Covenant and the Tables of the Law, and countless miracles including the plagues that God released through Moses’ Rod).
SIMILARITY #5: IMPACT
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Moses’ impact upon history is huge. God gave us the Law through Moses, as well as much of His Word. The Law, while it cannot save, nevertheless plays a critical role in our redemption, as it reveals to us God’s holiness vs. our sinfulness, God’s perfect standards vs. our complete inability to meet those standards, and thus our desperate need for Jesus to trade His perfect righteousness for our sin in accordance with being our only possible Savior. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Even the means by which Jesus delivers clearly connects to Moses. Seven of the ten Plagues that Moses released upon Egypt are repeated in the Book of Revelation’s seals, trumpets, and bowls judgments that that Jesus will release in the end times as He delivers God’s people once and for all in bringing about His Kingdom in manifest fullness forevermore (Plague of Blood, Plague of Frogs (see Frog Demons), Plague of Boils, Plague of Hail, Plague of Locusts (see Locust from the Pit), Plague of Darkness, and Death of Firstborn). And the 10th Plague upon Egypt, the passover, which was the ultimate victory-winning Plague, so clearly connects to Jesus’ death on the Cross, which is the ultimate victorious act in all of history. Just as the The Destroyer Angel passed over and so spared those with the Blood of the Lamb covering their doorposts from death, those who have received Jesus, the Lamb of God, who shed His blood for sinners on the Cross, are spared from God’s wrath for their sins. What amazing connections!
Yes, Moses has many similarities to the Lord Jesus, although he clearly was very far from perfection and had numerous moments of weakness and sin we can read of in the Bible. God used Moses greatly, though, and had a very special relationship with him. It is fascinating that in Jesus’ Transfiguration, Moses was one of the two (along with Elijah) speaking with the Lord in His glorified state. Without a doubt, it will be a thrill for all of God’s redeemed to meet Moses in Heaven someday, and we will join in singing his wonderful song of praise to the Lord:
“You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them by Your strength to your holy abode”! – Exodus 15:13
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