105. DEU 18:18. MORAL AND TYPICAL CHARACTER OF MOSES

Deu_18:18. Moral and Typical Character of Moses

"I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto me."’97Deu_18:18.

Moses was one of the most distinguished servants of God that ever lived. Whether you contemplate him as the first inspired penman of the Scriptures, as the deliverer of Israel, or as a legislator and prophet, this declaration will be fully and abundantly established. His life is associated with some of the most astonishing events recorded in the history of the world, and even the celestial choir unite his name with Christ’s in their commemorative anthems of praise, and "sing the song of Moses and the Lamb;" Rev_15:3. Our present design is to consider him, I. In his moral excellencies, and II. As an illustrious type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us, then, consider Moses,

I. In his moral Excellencies.

Among these, and as the groundwork of the rest, we must notice,

1. His vigorous faith in the declarations of God.

The first religious step he took in life, is attributed to faith. "By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Heb_11:24, &c. He believed what God had spoken to Abraham and the fathers respecting Israel. And this faith induced him to prefer reproach and suffering with them, rather than enjoy the pomp and riches, and pleasures of the court of Egypt. Notice,

2. His cheerful obedience to the commands of God.

He did, indeed, hesitate and object when God called him to his high office, but that was entirely from a sense of his insufficiency for the great work. When these doubts were removed, then how earnestly and assiduously did he devote himself to the service of God! After his decease, God, speaking of him to Joshua, said, "Moses, my servant, is dead;" Jos_1:2,: and again, declared concerning him, that "he was faithful in all his house;" Num_12:7. What an eulogium, and that, too, from God, who searcheth the hearts and trieth the reins of the children of men!

3. He was distinguished for a spirit of fervent devotion.

He was eminently a man of prayer. This was the atmosphere he breathed. In all his difficulties and dangers, he had recourse to prayer. It is unnecessary to select instances, for all he wrought in reference to Israel was identified with prayer.

4. He was distinguished for enlarged and unwearied benevolence.

He not only believed in, and loved God, but his soul burned with love to the human race. How he toiled for the welfare, of his countrymen according to the flesh! How he pitied and bore with their weaknesses; what compassion he displayed in reference to their infirmities; and how often did his benevolent intercessions save them from perishing as monuments of the divine displeasure! One signal instance is exhibited; Exo_32:30.

5. He was celebrated for astonishing meekness.

Amidst all the provocations to which he was subjected, he was cool and unmoved; and in passing through the most painful and trying situations, never did he lose the mastery over his own spirit, except once, at the waters of Zin; Num_20:10. It is said of him, "that he was meek above all the men upon the face of the earth;" Num_12:3.

6. His religion was characterized by its constancy and perseverance.

He displayed his piety when he was come to years, when he forsook the palace of Egypt. He displayed it in every succeeding stage of his long, laborious, and useful life; and he concluded it by addressing to them all the words that God spake concerning them; Deuteronomy 31, Deuteronomy 32, and Deuteronomy 33. And then, according to the word of the Lord, he went up to the top of Pisgah, and died there; Deu_34:1-5. Let us consider Moses,

II. As an illustrious Type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In doing this it will be necessary to make a selection of the more prominent points in which he typified Christ. Observe,

1. The wonderful preservation of both in infancy The edicts of Pharaoh and Herod. The interposition of God, and divine protection of both; Exo_1:22, &c.; Exo_2:3, &c.; Mat_2:12, &c.

2. The intellectual qualifications of both.

Moses was learned in all the learning of the Egyptians, and Christ possessed all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. See trim in the temple at twelve years of age; Luk_2:46.

3. The voluntary poverty and reproach of both.

Moses, in despising the treasures and dignities of Egypt. Jesus, though rich in fell celestial riches and glory, yet became poor, yea, the servant of servants, and "was obedient even unto death;" Php_2:6

4. In the offices which both sustained.

Both prophets, both deliverers, both leaders of the people, both the founders of new religious dispensations.

5. In the signs and miracles which they wrought.

Moses in Egypt and in the desert; Jesus in the streets and villages of Judea; with this difference, many of those by Moses were terrific, while all Christ’s were miracles of mercy and compassion.

6. Both fasted forty days and forty nights.

Exo_34:28; Mat_4:2.

7. Moses appointed seventy rulers over the people, and sent twelve men to search out the good land.

Christ called seventy disciples, and appointed twelve to be the apostles of his kingdom.

8. Moses revealed the will of God, and the law came by him.

Christ fully declared the mind of his Father, and grace and truth came by him; Joh_1:18.

9. Moses gave the people water from the rock, and procured them angels’ food Christ himself was that rock, and he was the true heavenly bread; Joh_6:35.

10. Moses was envied, and suffered much from his countrymen.

Christ came to his own, but they received him not, but reviled him, and out of envy put him to a painful and ignominious death, Act_2:23.

11. Moses was celebrated for his meek ness, devotion, zeal, and constancy in God’s service.

Jesus was holy, harmless, and separate from sinners. In him the law was embodied; he was the ten commandments alive; Heb_7:26.

12. Moses instituted the passover.

Christ his own paschal supper, and he is the true "passover sacrificed for us;" Mat_26:17; 1Co_5:7.

13. Moses died before the people entered into the promised rest.

It behooved Christ to die, and to rise again, that remission of sins might be preached, and that sinful men might obtain a title and meetness for eternal life; Luk_24:46.

14. Moses retired according to God’s command, to a mountain; in perfect vigor of mind and health of body, and died there.

Jesus, by the will of his heavenly Father, ascended the hill of Calvary, and there surrendered his spirit into his hands. There are many other traits of likeness between Moses and Jesus, but the above must suffice. In many things there was a great disparity between them.

(1) Moses was a frail man, he had his infirmities. Jesus was free from all sin, and guile was never found in his mouth.

(2) Moses was a servant; Jesus a son.

(3) Moses received power from God to do the works he did; Jesus possessed all power both in heaven and earth.

(4) The spirit of prophecy dwelt largely in Moses, but wholly in Christ.

(5) Moses was a leader, but Christ a Saviour.

(6) The rewards Moses principally offered were temporal; Christ’s spiritual and eternal.

(7) Moses established a perishing economy, one that waxed old, and is now abrogated. Christ’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and of his rule there shall be no end.

Application

1. We may admire Moses; out Jesus demands our supreme love.

2. We may read the law of Moses, but believe and trust in the gospel of Christ.

3. It is well to contemplate the moral excellencies and official engagements of Moses; but it is better to meditate upon the scene on the holy mount of transfiguration, where Moses and Elias both do homage to Jesus, and conversed of his decease, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem, and where the voice from the excellent glory was heard, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear ye him."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS