In what ways was Moses like Jesus?
Moses and Jesus were similar in a number of important ways, as both were central figures in God’s plan of salvation and redemption for humanity. Here are some of the key ways in which Moses foreshadowed and paralleled the life and ministry of Jesus:
They were both deliverers sent by God
Moses was used by God to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10). Similarly, Jesus came to deliver humanity out of the slavery of sin (Luke 4:18-19). Moses led God’s people out of physical bondage, while Jesus provides spiritual deliverance.
They were prophets who spoke God’s words
God spoke directly to Moses and gave him divine revelation to pass on to the people (Exodus 33:11). Jesus is described as the ultimate prophet and messenger of God who speaks the very words of God (John 8:28; 12:49).
They were mediators between God and man
Moses mediated between God and the Israelites by transmitting God’s laws and covenant to the people (Exodus 19:7-9). Jesus is the mediator of a new, better covenant between God and humanity (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).
They interceded on behalf of the people
Moses repeatedly interceded for the Israelites when they sinned, asking God to forgive them (Exodus 32:11-14). Jesus lives forever to intercede for those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
They were miracle workers
God empowered Moses to perform many miracles and signs, including the ten plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-12). Jesus performed many healings, exorcisms and nature miracles as signs that He was from God (Luke 7:22).
They fasted for 40 days and nights
Before receiving the 10 Commandments, Moses fasted on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights (Exodus 34:28). Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days when facing temptation from Satan (Matthew 4:2).
They instituted religious festivals and sacrifices
Under God’s direction, Moses instituted various religious festivals like Passover (Exodus 12:1-28) and oversaw the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7). Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the sacrificial system and festivals (1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians 2:16-17).
They established covenants between God and man
The Mosaic Covenant was given by God through Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19-24). The New Covenant was instituted by Jesus through His sacrificial death on the cross (Luke 22:20).
They were humble servants of God
Despite his important role, Moses was very humble (Numbers 12:3). Jesus exemplified servant leadership, taking on the form of a servant and humbling Himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:7-8).
They were rejected by their own people
Though Moses was God’s chosen deliverer, the Israelites rejected his leadership and longed to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:2-4). The Jewish people ultimately rejected Jesus as their Messiah and called for His crucifixion (Luke 23:18-25).
They appointed and commissioned successors
Moses appointed Joshua to succeed him and lead Israel into the Promised Land after his death (Numbers 27:18-23). Jesus commissioned His disciples to continue His ministry after His ascension (Matthew 28:18-20).
They were transfigured and shone with God’s glory
When Moses descended Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, his face shone brightly from being in God’s presence (Exodus 34:29-30). At the Transfiguration, Jesus’ face shone like the sun and His clothes became radiantly white (Matthew 17:2).
They offered salvation to Gentiles
Moses married a Cushite woman, showing God’s plan to bless all nations through Israel (Numbers 12:1). Jesus stressed that salvation was for all peoples (Luke 3:6), expanding the scope beyond just the Jews.
They were prophecied hundreds of years before being born
Moses’ birth and calling were foretold to Abraham centuries before (Genesis 15:13-14). Jesus’ birth was prophesied over 700 years in advance (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7). Both men fulfilled major prophecies about the deliverers God would raise up.
They were threatened with death as infants
When Moses was a baby, Pharaoh ordered all Israelite baby boys to be killed (Exodus 1:15-16). King Herod sought to kill the infant Jesus during the massacre of innocents (Matthew 2:16).
They were rescued from danger and grew up in royal courts
Moses was rescued from the Nile river by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the Egyptian royal court (Exodus 2:5-10). Jesus escaped to Egypt before growing up in obscurity as the adopted son of a carpenter (Matthew 2:13-15).
They chose to identify with their own oppressed people
Though raised in Pharaoh’s court, Moses chose to identify with his Hebrew kinsmen who were slaves (Hebrews 11:24-26). Jesus left His heavenly glory to be born incarnate as a human being to identify with us (Philippians 2:6-7).
They confronted demonic powers
When Moses performed miracles before Pharaoh, the Egyptian magicians mimicked his snake miracle through demonic power (Exodus 7:11-12). Jesus directly confronted and cast out demons (Mark 1:21-28).
They provided bread/manna in the wilderness
Through Moses, God provided manna from heaven to feed the hungry Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16:11-18). Jesus proclaimed He was the true bread from heaven who could eternally satisfy spiritual hunger (John 6:30-35).
They were teachers of God’s law
Moses received and taught the Law, the Torah, summarizing God’s covenant with Israel (Exodus 24:12). As the Messiah, Jesus authoritatively interpreted and taught God’s Law (Matthew 5-7).
They symbolized salvation through the lifting up of a bronze serpent
Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole so that the Israelites who were bitten by serpents could look to it and live (Numbers 21:4-9). Jesus referenced this event as a symbol of His lifting up on the cross for the salvation of those who look to Him in faith (John 3:14-15).
They were accompanied by pillars of cloud and fire
The Israelites were guided by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night under Moses’ leadership (Exodus 13:21-22). At Jesus’ ascension into heaven, He was taken up in a cloud and will return on the clouds of heaven (Acts 1:9; Mark 14:62).
They exemplified meekness and anger
Moses was very meek (Numbers 12:3) yet also displayed righteous anger against sin, like when he smashed the tablets of the Law (Exodus 32:19). Jesus demonstrated meekness (Matthew 11:29) but also zeal for holiness in cleansing the temple (John 2:13-17).
They were God’s “chosen servants”
God directly stated that Moses was His chosen servant (Psalm 105:26). The Father publicly declared Jesus as His Chosen One (Luke 9:35). As chosen servants, they faithfully carried out their callings from God.
They were priests as well as prophets
In addition to being a prophet, Moses also performed some priestly duties like consecrating Aaron (Exodus 29). Jesus is our great High Priest as well as the supreme Prophet who reveals God to us (Hebrews 4:14; Luke 24:19).
They led God’s people to the promised land
Under Moses, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years towards the Promised Land of Canaan (Joshua 1:2-3). Jesus leads His followers through life’s wilderness to the promised eternal land of heaven (Revelation 21:4).
They were unique defenders and advocates for Israel
Moses repeatedly advocated for the Israelites before God and offered to make atonement for their sins (Exodus 32:30-32). Jesus lives to intercede for believers as our defender and high priest before God (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
They spoke with God face to face
God spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Jesus, as God’s Son, enjoyed perfect communion and intimacy with the Father while on earth (John 1:18).
They were initially drawn to the wilderness
After killing an Egyptian, Moses fled to the desert wilderness of Midian (Exodus 2:11-15). The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the Judean wilderness prior to starting His ministry (Matthew 4:1).
They appointed 70 elders to help lead
On Moses’ advice, God directed him to appoint 70 elders to help judge and govern the Israelites (Numbers 11:16-17). Jesus appointed 70 disciples to advance the Gospel message (Luke 10:1).
They contended with false prophets and leaders
Korah and his followers falsely claimed Moses’ leadership and were judged (Numbers 16:1-3). Jesus frequently clashed with the Pharisees and teachers of the law who misled people (Matthew 23:13-36).
They experienced God’s glory on a mountain
On Mount Sinai, the Israelites saw displays of God’s glory like thunder, lightning, and smoke when Moses received the 10 Commandments (Exodus 19:16-20). At the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John glimpsed Jesus’ glory on the mountain (Luke 9:28-36).
They prepared their followers before their departure
Knowing his death was near, Moses delivered farewell addresses to the Israelites, urging them to keep God’s laws after entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 1-33). Jesus also prepared His disciples for His coming death and departure at the Last Supper (John 13-17).
Their faces shone with the glory of God
After encountering God’s presence on Mount Sinai, Moses’ face shone so radiantly that he had to wear a veil (Exodus 34:29-35). At the Transfiguration, Jesus’ face shone like the sun as He temporarily revealed His divine glory (Matthew 17:2).
They were used by God to provide water
When the Israelites were thirsty, God instructed Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water (Exodus 17:1-6). Jesus declared Himself to be the source of the water of life that eternally satisfies spiritual thirst (John 4:13-14).
They appointed elders before their departure
Before his death, Moses laid hands on Joshua, commissioning him as his divinely chosen successor to lead Israel (Numbers 27:12-23). Shortly before His ascension, Jesus commissioned His disciples and laid hands on them to advance God’s kingdom (Mark 16:15-20).
They experienced supernatural preservation of their bodies after death
God directly buried Moses’ body in a valley so that no one knew its location (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Similarly, Jesus’ tomb was found empty after His resurrection, with His physical body mysteriously yet miraculously missing (Luke 24:1-3).
They trusted and followed God wholeheartedly
Moses demonstrated deep devotion to God, believing in His power and relying on Him (Numbers 20:6-12). Jesus perfectly trusted and submitted to the Father while on earth (John 5:19; Hebrews 3:2). Their examples inspire us to walk by faith.
In conclusion, Moses and Jesus were both chosen by God to deliver and redeem His people. Though living in different eras and dispensations, their ministries foreshadowed and paralleled one another in numerous ways. Moses was a types and foreshadowing of the deliverance that would ultimately come through Jesus Christ. Both were humble servants who faithfully accomplished their respective missions for God’s glory.