Moses foreshadows Jesus Christ in his role as a law-giver, as a mediator between God and his people and as a prophet who declared the will of God. In these matters, Jesus Christ brought to perfection the work begun through Moses.
Parallels between the infancies of Moses and Jesus Christ
Their births
At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house.
Moses' mother hid him to escape the slaughter decreed by Pharaoh
Herod's attempt to slaughter Jesus Christ
Moses, the Israelite exile in Egypt and Midian
Exodus 2:11, Exodus 2:15, Exodus 2:22; Deuteronomy 34:4
Joseph takes Jesus Christ to Egypt for safety
Matthew 2:13, Matthew 8:20 Moses, like Jesus Christ, had no settled home in his own country.
Supernatural signs confirmed the callings both of Moses and Jesus Christ
Parallels between Moses and Jesus Christ
As mediators of covenants
Hebrews 9:15 See also Exodus 19:3–9; John 1:17; Hebrews 8:6–7
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
As those intimate with God
Exodus 33:11; John 5:20 See also Deuteronomy 34:10; Matthew 17:3–5; John 14:9–11
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.
The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.
As prophets
Deuteronomy 34:10; Acts 3:22; John 6:14 See also Deuteronomy 18:15–18; Luke 24:19; John 4:19; Acts 7:37
Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you.
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
As priests
Hebrews 9:11–12 See also Hebrews 10:11–12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
As those who reveal the glory of God
Exodus 34:33–35; 2 Corinthians 3:18 See also John 1:17
When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. And when he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded, and the Israelites would see that the face of Moses was radiant. So Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Moses as servant; Jesus Christ as Son
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.