411. DEU 18:15. MOSES A TYPE OF CHRIST
Deu_18:15. Moses a Type Of Christ
"A prophet’97like unto me."’97Deu_18:15.
No other person so fully and clearly typified Christ as Moses. His life was crowded with events which evidently shadowed forth the long-predicted and expected Messiah. In addition to these prominent events, God expressly commanded him to inform the people, that he would raise up for them a prophet like unto himself, one who should have Jehovah’s words in his mouth,’97who should speak all his words unto the people, and whose commands all the people should be solemnly required to hearken and obey. Let us notice then the great leading incidents in the history of Moses, which seemed to typify the character and work of the Redeemer. Notice,
I. The peculiar Circumstances connected with their Birth.
A cruel edict was in force when Moses was born, for the extermination of the male children of the Israelites, Exo_1:16. A similar edict was issued by Herod, at the birth of Jesus, when the children of Bethlehem and the coasts thereof were slain, Mat_2:16. Moses was mercifully delivered by the providence of God; in like manner Jesus was saved by the direct interposition of heaven, Mat_2:13. Thus, as the life of Moses was preserved from the cruel designs of Pharaoh, was the life of the Saviour delivered from the murderous hand of Herod. Notice,
II. Their voluntary Abasement and Humiliation.
Moses, a resident in the palace of Pharaoh, surrounded with the honors, and riches, and pleasures of Egypt, when he was come to years freely surrendered them all, and chose rather to be the companion of the suffering people of God. Jesus, the prince of heaven, possessed of all the honors and riches of glory, for our well-being and salvation, cheerfully condescended to assume our nature and condition, to tabernacle in our world, to become a servant ministering to all, that we, through his humiliation and poverty, might be made rich, and obtain exalted honors and eternal life. Observe,
III. Both were especially appointed to be the Deliverers of the Afflicted and the Oppressed.
Moses was sent to deliver the groaning Israelites from the bondage of Pharaoh and the slavery of Egypt. Jesus came to deliver the world from the bondage of sin and the slavery of the devil. Moses was sent by God, expressly commissioned and fully qualified by miraculous power for the accomplishment of this great work. Jesus was also sent immediately from the Father to deliver the world from the power of Satan, and to save immortal souls from the destroying vassalage of sin. For this he was anointed with the Holy Ghost, and possessed all strength, so that all things were subjected to the word of his power. No one ever performed the mighty works which were done by Jesus. See Peter’s reference to Christ’s miraculous deeds, Act_2:22.
IV. Both of them delivered the Laws and Mind of God to the People.
On Sinai Moses received from God the moral law, and made it known to the Israelites. Jesus delivered the spiritual exposition of the law in his sermon on the mount. See Matthew 5, Matthew 6, and Matthew 7. This one great office Christ sustained to make known unto men all the will of his Father, to bring life and immortality to light by his gospel, and to give a perfect code of laws to mankind.
V. Both of them were appointed Leaders of the People.
Moses stood at the head of the old dispensation, and having given God’s law to Israel, he conducted them through the desert towards the land of promise Jesus was given as a witness and leader to the people. He came as the head of the new dispensation to conduct the numerous host of believing followers to immortal glory.
VI. Both of them acted as Mediators between God and the People.
Moses stood forth between the people and God, when his avenging wrath would otherwise have destroyed them. For their safety he faithfully, perseveringly, and successfully interceded. In this he but faintly exhibited the mediatorial office and work of Jesus. Jesus engaged himself as the surety of ungodly, condemned sinners; he freely sought to bear their sins, and be wounded for their transgressions; and by the virtue of his atoning blood he honorably turned aside the just wrath of God, and delivered a guilty world from condemnation and eternal death. If Moses pleaded for his ungrateful and guilty countrymen, Jesus with his dying breath pleaded on behalf of his murderers, and said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
VII. Both of their Engagements were connected with the Ministrations of Angels.
The law was ordained by angels in the hand of Moses, as mediator. See Act_7:53; Exo_23:20, &c. The whole life of Jesus was associated with the ministry of angels. They announced his conception, proclaimed his birth, succored him in the desert, witnessed his transfiguration, strengthened him in the garden, watched over his sepulchre, rolled away the stone at his resurrection, and were as his attendants, when he ascended to glory.
VIII. Both were distinguished for high moral Endowments.
Moses was the obedient, faithful servant of God. He was eminently holy, the meekest of all men. He held intimate fellowship with God. Fasted forty days and forty nights. His countenance was irradiated with the beams of the divine glory. And God greatly distinguished and honored him before the people. Jesus was obedient and faithful as a son. He was spotless, guile was not in his mouth. He did no sin He was gentle and meek; he strove not, neither did he cry, or lift up his voice in the street. The law of love was in his heart. Kindness and benignity in his conversation. He exhibited great self-denial, and fasted, too, forty days and nights in the wilderness. He held the most intimate and unbroken fellowship with God. At his transfiguration his countenance shone as the sun, and his garments appeared to be of glittering brightness, and God, on several occasions, declared him to be the Son of his delight, in whom he was well-pleased.
IX. Both were eminent Prophets of the Most High God.
As a prophet God spake to Moses more directly than to other prophets, "face to face." He prophesied largely, and his predictions, although extending probably to the end of the world, were full, comprehensive, and clear. See many parts of the book of Deuteronomy. Jesus possessed the spirit of prophecy without measure. At all times he had access to his heavenly Father, knew all his mind, and on any occasion could reveal his will to the people. Like Moses, his prophecies included the displeasure of God, towards the impenitent seed of Abraham, and his predictions had respect to succeeding events from the lime of his first advent to his second coming, in majesty, power, and glory, to judge the world.
X. Both obtained unspeakably valuable Blessings for the People.
Not only did Moses lead Israel from the galling yoke of Pharaoh, but when in the desert he obtained for them "manna from heaven," water from the flinty rock, and turned aside from them fearful plagues. See Exo_32:30; Num_16:46. Jesus Christ in the days of his flesh went about doing good, healing their infirmities, delivering those who were bound and tormented of the devil. He also fed multitudes in the desert, and gave himself as the true bread of life to a dying world.
XI. Both lived and labored for the Wellbeing of others.
Moses displayed the most astonishing benevolence for his countrymen. He ever sought their happiness, and exhibited the greatest kindness and patience towards them: rather than they should perish, he besought the Lord that his name might be blotted out of God’s book. In this how vastly the antitype exceeds the type. Jesus exhibited inexpressible goodness to his ancient people. He embodied his immeasurable love in all his conduct towards them. And he actually became a curse for sinners, that they, through his death might obtain everlasting life.
XII. Both were treated with Ingratitude by those whose Welfare they lived to promote.
How often did the Israelites rebel against him, and would have thrown off his authority; they frequently murmured against him, and with the greatest ingratitude did they often attribute their own miseries to him, instead of confessing and forsaking their iniquities. Thus too was Jesus treated by the Jews; he came unto his own, but his own received him not. They even preferred a murderer to him, and by wicked hands did they put him to a cruel and shameful death.
Application
1. Justly distinguished as Moses was, he was yet frail, a man of like infirmities with others; as such he offended God, by speaking rashly with his lips. Jesus was immaculate. All holiness dwelt in him.
2. Moses was but a servant; Jesus was the Son of God.
3. Moses was the head of that dispensation which was legal and ceremonial, and which passed away. Jesus is the head of that ceremony which is spiritual, gracious, and abiding. To the supreme excellency and glory of Jesus did Moses and the prophets bear witness.
4. Let us rejoice that we are not come to Sinai, but Zion; not under the law, but under grace; not the followers of Moses, but the disciples of Christ.
5. If disobedience to Moses and his law was visited with God’s displeasure, how shall those escape who neglect Christ’s salvation, and obey not his gospel.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS