Christ in all the scriptures
Called to highest service Numbers 3
We are now introduced to the inner circle of the servants of God, who lived and operated nearest to the throne. A similar scene is depicted in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 indicating circles of nearness around the throne. In order of rank we have Moses, Aaron, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites. It is the noblest calling of all to be called to serve the living God. I am reminded of the quip by the late C. H. Spurgeon, who said, "If God has called you to be a missionary, don't you demote yourself by becoming a king"! In order to see the chapter as relevant for us today, let us remind ourselves of the calling of God to each one of us:
"Ye serve the Lord Christ"-Colossians 3v23; "...called to His kingdom and glory"-1st Thess. 2v12; "called unto holiness"-1st Thess. 4v7; "...called unto the fellowship of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord"-1st Cor. 1v9; called unto liberty..."-Colossians 3v15; "called out of darkness into His marvellous light"-1st Peter 2v9; "called to sinless suffering..."-1st Peter 2v21; called by His glory and virtue"-2nd Peter 1v3. These and others indicate the high honour given to each one of us by the high calling of God. This confers dignity upon us beyond any honour this world can give. Moses was called of God, as was Aaron, as were his sons, as were the tribe of Levi. We are called of God to serve the Majesty in high. The angels of heaven look upon us as their fellow servants (Revelation 22v9).
Moses' faithfulness in service In a chapter bristling with names of God's prominent servants, it is surprising that no mention is made of Moses' sons. Scripture is silent on this, save to say in 1st Chronicles 23v14-20, that Gershom and Eliezer were named of the tribe of Levi. They were not prominent like their father, but were accounted as part of the favoured tribe. Perhaps Moses understood the ever present danger of leading men promoting family members. Moses is compared and contrasted with Christ Jesus in Hebrews 3v1-6, high dignity accorded indeed to Moses, "Christ Jesus...who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all God's house". In sacred service faithfulness to God is of paramount importance, as illustrated in both Moss and Christ.
In the context of a challenge to his authority in Numbers 12v7, the Lord interjected that "Moses is faithful in all my house". Faithfulness is obeying God in every aspect of the work, not just the ones that suit us. Moses did everything that God commanded him; in Exodus chapters 39-40, at the rearing of the Tabernacle, no less than 18 times is it recorded, as the Lord commanded Moses", and the summary in Exodus 40v16, "Thus did Moses all that the Lord commanded him, so did he".
Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful"-1st Cor.4v2.
Paul to Timothy, "...the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also"-2nd Timothy 2v2.
There is no doubt that God sets faithfulness (unswerving loyalty) as the highest form of service. God is faithful to His word to us, that is we can depend on Him at all times, can He depend on us? Moses was a great example and Christ was the supreme example. We consider now the contrast with Christ for this is the very essence of the bible.
In the verses 1-6 of Hebrews 3 we are given a series of contrasts summarised as follows:
Moses was part of the house...Christ built the house Moses, as a man, presided over the building of one house...Christ, as God. built all things Moses was in God's house...Christ is over God's house Moses was a servant...Christ is the Son Moses house was material...Christ's house is spiritual (whose house are we) Moses house was testimony of things to come...Christ's house is testimony to what has come.
Great man Moses, the greatest spiritual leader of old, and he was a figure of One greater! The likeness between them is remarkable and can be traced to great profit:
Both were born when Israel were under subjection to Gentile powers Both were delivered from certain death as infants Both were in Egypt as infants Both were called out of Egypt Both left the dignity of a palace for the rigours of humble service for God Both were shepherds Both performed mighty miracles Both delivered millions from slavery Both fasted 40 days and nights in the cause of God Both were the meekest of men Both were initially rejected by the Jews Both were criticised and challenged by their nearest family Both were willing to sacrifice themselves to save the nation Both chose 12 leaders and 70 teachers to communicate the mind of God Both of their faces shone with the glory of God Both destroyed powerful rulers, Moses the Pharoah, Jesus the Devil Both communed with God face to face Both spoke the words of God to their followers Both had a ministry from God that was like no other (for this last observation refer Deuteronomy 34v10-12 for Moses; and John 7v46; Matthew 12v5v41v42; Mark 2v12, Mark 7v37, for Jesus).
Readers can profitably add scripture references to each comparison.
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