Christ in all the scriptures A Prophet like unto Moses

 Christ in all the scriptures

A Prophet like unto Moses

Jesus gave us the key to the understanding of scriptures in John 5v39, when He corrected the error of the Jews, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me".  He expands this in Luke 24 by including all three sections of Old Testament revelation, referring to the writings of Moses, and the Psalms and the Prophets as "the things concerning Himself"-Luke 24v27v44.  Therefore the best understanding of scripture is that which reveals Him.  This is the whole purpose of these studies. 

In the book of Numbers we have already considered Christ as the Rock of Israel.  Now we can think of Him as the Prophet like unto Moses.  Deuteronomy 18v15 says, "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me: unto Him shalt thou hearken".  The New Testament confirms that he was referring to Jesus.  There was a long expectation that "the Prophet" would come who would deliver them from the oppression of Rome.  They thought John the Baptist was the one, but he denied it-John 1v21 and 1v25.  Philip, in 1v45 seems to say Jesus is the one, "Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write".  Jesus, Himself said in John 5v46, "Moses wrote of me"; in John 7v40 many of the people were persuaded that Jesus was the Prophet.  Peter, in Acts 3v22-26 identified the Prophet as Jesus.  This is confirmed in the sermon by Stephen before the Sanhedrim in Acts 7v37-55.  As we read through this amazing record of Israel's wanderings, we shall encounter many similarities between the man Moses, and the incarnate Christ.  A cursory reading of the book reveals the overriding similarity, which is that they both spoke the words of God.  No less than 45 times do we read "The Lord spake unto Moses...", (or similar), and Moses transmitted His words to the people.  Moses was the great communicator of God in Old Testament times-Exodus 24v3-4, "And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments...and Moses wrote all the words of the Lord...".   Exodus 33v11, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to His friend".   This means that all the instructions that Moses gave to Israel in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy find their fulfilment in Jesus who communicates God to the Church today.

There is, of course, a vast difference between Moses and Christ but the principle remains the same.  Jesus is the ultimate communicator of God to men:

"The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him-John 1v18

"He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.  For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God, for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him"-John 3v33-34.

"I have given them the words which thou gavest me"-John 17v8

"If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness£-1st Timothy 6v3.

We have established that Moses, therefore is a type of Christ, and his commandments to Israel find a greater fulfilment in Christ.  The commandments laid down reflect the will of God for His redeemed people..  Using this as a guide we shall find many fruitful lessons for our spiritual lives today.