SHEMOT EX 1:1-6:1
Jan 13, 2012
In the book of Exodus, we are introduced to Moshe…How he was born, where and how he was rescued, where he lived, what he did, and what happened to him in his life. What he did and what he represented are shadow pictures of our Forefathers in the book of Genesis- they are also shadow pictures of who was to come, Yahshua the Messiah.
Let’s talk about thematic Connections between Joseph and Moshe: We know that Joseph is a shadow picture of Messiah, and Moshe connects with Joseph in the following ways (a brief look):
-Joseph spends part of his life in Pharaoh’s house; Moshe spends part of his life in Pharaoh’s house.
-When Joseph presented himself to his brothers, they were offended. They dismissed him as a worthless dreamer. When Moshe presented himself to his brothers, they were offended because he tried to correct them.
- In Ex 2:13-14, Moshe is rejected by one of his “brothers”, who states “who made you judge and ruler over us?”- it was the same with Joseph.
- In Ex 2:15 & 22, Moshe flees and lives in exile (Midian). Joseph was sold and sent into exile (Egypt).
- In Ex 2:16 & 21 Moshe marries a daughter of a priest. Joseph marries the daughter of the priest of On.
- Joseph met his brothers when they were in big trouble. His brothers expressed remorse for what they had done to him. They had an emotional reunion. Moshe met his brothers when Egyptian oppression was at its peak. This time they accepted him.
-Joseph rescued his brothers from starvation, and gave them the best place in Egypt to stay in. Moshe rescued Israel from Egypt, and led them out towards the Promised Land (what is now Israel).
These connections are showing us that Moshe is being called to fulfill a role similar to Joseph’s.
Later we read in the Torah that Moshe says that Yahweh will “raise up” a prophet like unto him from among the Israelite people (Deu 18:15-18).
Connecting the dots to Messiah
Our first occurrence in the Brit Chadashah of this prophecy is in John 1:21 when the Priests and Levites asked John the Baptist if he was “that prophet”. Later, in John 1:45, we read that Philip finds Nathanael and tells him that they have found him, of whom Moses in the Torah, and the prophets did write- Yahshua of Netzeret (Nazareth), son of Yosef. Now we know that, from scripture, Messiah comes as a suffering servant (Isa 53), then later comes as King. Isn’t it neat to see that Philip tells Nathanael we have found Mashiach Ben Yosef!! But, unknown to them, Yahshua had to die for the sins of Israel and make atonement for them before coming back again to earth as King to set up the Kingdom!
When Yahshua comes to Jerusalem, he heals a man on the Sabbath, and some of the Jews wanted Yahshua put to death…what did Yahshua say to them?
“Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And you will not come to me, that you might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of Elohim (God) in you. I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from Elohim only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?” John 5:39-47.
After the death and resurrection of Messiah Yahshua, Yahshua has a discussion with two men on the road to Emmaus and as it is recorded in the book of Luke: (24:27), Yahshua begins “…with Moshe and all the prophets…” and explains unto them all the scriptures (meaning the Tanakh) concerning himself.
In the book of Acts, we read what Peter said before the people concerning Yahshua, quoting out of the Torah-
”For Moshe truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Yahweh your Elohim (God) raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which Elohim made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first Elohim, having raised up his Son Yahshua, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:22-26.
Stephen also had something to say regarding the messiah before the Sanhedrin in Acts, chapter 7:37-38.
“This is that Moshe, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall Yahweh your Elohim raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear. This is he, that was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”
So what similarities can we find from this Torah portion between Moshe and Our Messiah, Yahshua of Nazareth?
1.- Both Messiah and Moshe were sent from Yahweh (Ex 3:1-10, John 8:42).
2.- Both were born under foreign rule (Ex 1:8-14, Luke 2:1)
3.- Both were threatened by wicked kings (Ex 1:15-16, Matt 2:16).
4.- Both spent their early years in Egypt, miraculously protected from those who sought their lives (Ex 2:10, Matt 2:14-15).
5.- Both rejected the possibility to become rulers in this age. Moshe was raised as a son in the royal family and could have enjoyed a lavish lifestyle as a powerful ruler, but he chose differently (Heb 11:24-25); satan offered Yahshua the rule over all the kingdoms of this world (Matt 4:8-9), but rejected that offer and chose to suffer and die for the sake of the people of Israel.
6.- Both Moshe and Yahshua were “sent from a mountain of Elohim” to free Israel. Moshe was sent from Mt Sinai (physical) in Midian; Yahshua was sent from a spiritual “Mount Zion” in Heaven (Heb 12:22) to earth.
7.- Both were teachers (Deu 4:1-5, Matt 22:16)
8.- Both were appointed as saviors of Israel (Moshe as Israel’s deliverer from the bondage of Pharaoh, Yahshua as Israel’s redeemer and deliverer from the bondage to satan).
9.- Both were shepherds of Israel (Moshe led the Israelites through the wilderness (Ex 3:1, Numbers), Yahshua led His followers as the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-11, Matt 9:36)).
10.- Both were humble servants.
11.- As Moshe lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness to heal the people, so Yahshua was lifted up on the tree to heal all believers from their sin (John 12:32).
These are but a few of the many thematic connections between Moshe and Yahshua. How was Yahshua a prophet like unto Moshe? Like Moshe, he was a leader, a prophet, a servant, a shepherd, a lawgiver, a teacher, a priest, a savior, an anointed one, and a mediator between Yahweh Elohim and man.
As Yahshua said: “…for if you believed in Moshe, you would believe in me, for he wrote of me…” (John 5:46). Not only did Moshe write about Him, but Moshe truly was a shadow picture of Our Messiah, Yahshua of Nazareth.
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Various sources used: www.hebrew4christians.com , www.restorationoftorah.org , www.truth-that-matters.com