The Wayside Pulpit No.42

6th November 1999

"Like unto Moses."

Deut.18:18-19 "I will raise up a prophet from among their brethren, LIKE UNTO THEE,
and will put my words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."

Who was this prophet? Theologians have suggested Joshua, Jeremiah, and other named prophets in the Old Testament. But the majority of expositors have realised that Jesus the Messiah is the only Person who completely fulfilled the essence of these words in Deuteronomy 18. It is uplifting and encouraging to see just how many parallels there are between the lives of Moses and Jesus.

1. They were both prophets.
2. In both cases, the prophetic ministry was not as with other men, but "face to face".
3. They were both Law-givers, Moses at Mount Sinai, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
4. They both performed extraordinary miracles in the sight of all the people. For example

(a) Moses commanded the waters to part, Jesus walked upon the raging sea.
(b) Moses commanded the sea to return, Jesus commanded the sea to be still.
(c) Moses gave Manna and Quails, Jesus gave Bread and Fish, in the Wilderness.
(d) Moses brought forth water from the rock, Jesus WAS the rock, giving living water.
(e) Moses healed Miriam of leprosy, Jesus healed many of leprosy and other diseases.
(f) Moses' face shone on descending from the Mount, Jesus' face shone likewise.
(g) Moses delivered the people from bondage, Jesus delivered from spiritual bondage.
(h) Moses had power over all the gods of Egypt, Jesus had power over all demonic hordes.

5. Moses was preserved from Pharaoh as an infant, Jesus from King Herod.
6. Moses was told when it was safe to return to Egypt, Joseph was told when it was safe for him to bring Jesus back from Egypt.
7. Moses fasted for 40 days, Jesus likewise.
8. Moses sent 12 spies to view the land, Jesus chose 12 disciples to continue His work.
9. Moses constituted 70 elders to share his work, Jesus chose 70 other disciples.
10. Moses refused to remain in Pharaoh’s house, preferring to suffer affliction for his people, Jesus refused to be made king, choosing rather to             suffer affliction.
11. Moses was leading the people to a Promised Land, Jesus to a Heavenly Country.
12. Moses gave a new name to his chief officer Oshea, calling him Joshua, Jesus gave His chief apostle Simon a new name, calling him Peter.
13. Moses grew up being learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, Jesus grew up increasing in wisdom and stature in all things relating to His person and ministry.
14. Moses was repaid by ingratitude, murmuring, and rebellion, Jesus likewise.
15. Moses was meek above all men, Jesus was meek and mild, the friend of sinners.
16. Moses spent most of his training in Arabia, away from his people, Jesus spent much time away from His family during the years from 12 to 30.   Extra-biblical records indicate that He spent several years in England, travelling there with His uncle Joseph of Arimathea.
17. Moses was ill used by his brother and sister, Jesus was likewise misunderstood by His family, who thought He was "beside Himself".
18. Moses instituted the Passover to deliver God's people, Jesus WAS the Passover Lamb, sent to deliver His people from death and hell.
19. Moses called for darkness over the land of Egypt, Jesus was in darkness for 3 hours at the crucifixion.
20. Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness for the healing of the people, Jesus said that if He was lifted up, He would draw all men to Himself.
21. Moses asked to die for the people, Jesus actually died for His people.
22. Moses pleaded with God to pardon transgressors, Jesus asked forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him. Each was heard from heaven.
23. When Moses died, they could not find his body, when Jesus rose from the dead, they could not find His body.
24. Moses overcame Israel's worst enemy, Amalek, only by having his hands held up, Jesus overcame all the power of Satan when His hands were lifted up on the cross.
25. Those who refused to listen to Moses died in the wilderness over the next 38 years, and entered not into the Promised Land, those who refused Jesus were killed or deported by Titus 37 years later in AD 70.

[I am indebted to an old writing dated 1809, by Dr. Thomas Newton, then Bishop of Bristol, for the idea contained in this paper.]