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Moses as a type of the Messiah
Jesus Christ in the prophecies of the Old Testament
(Biblical History as Prophecy, Part 2)

In the video "History is a Prophecy! Prophecies Hidden in Biblical Historical Events," we saw that Biblical events are very often prophecies that explain God's plan to save people.
Now, we will see how historical events from Moses' life point to the Messiah, who will be like Moses in many ways.
The resemblance of the Messiah to Moses was one of the most important ways that God's people should recognize God's Anointed One, who will save people from sin.
A prophet like Moses
Before Moses died, he said to the people: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15
The name of this prophet was not given, but we know that no one has successfully claimed to be the prophet God announced to be similar to Moses, thousands of years later.
Moses' successor, Joshua, did not claim it for himself, nor could anyone else prove it for himself, except for one single person, whose resemblance to Moses is enormous.
At the time of Christ, the Pharisees knew this prophet like Moses still did not yet appear.
When they asked John the Baptist if he was Elijah, and if he was THAT prophet, the Pharisees thought maybe John the Baptist claims for himself he was a prophet like Moses. (“’Art thou that prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’” John 1:21).
John denied and said his role was to announce the coming of the Messiah.
However, Jesus revealed much more directly that Moses had written about him: “Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” John 5:45-47
Here Jesus openly said He was the prophet Moses wrote about, but since his listeners did not believe Moses, He expects them not to believe the Messiah either.
Surprisingly, most people educated in theology did not recognize Jesus as the prophet Moses wrote about, but mostly ordinary people did understand this prophecy correctly:
"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.’” John 6:14 Therefore, the people recognized that Jesus was the promised prophet as Moses was.
When the apostle Peter spoke at Pentecost to thousands of people, he identified Jesus as the prophet foretold by Moses.
“For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you… To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Acts 3:22-24:26 NKJV
After this speech of Peter, 5,000 people believed that Jesus was the prophet Moses was talking about, which means, he is the promised Messiah (Acts 4:4).
Let's now look at the parallels between Moses and Jesus Christ, in order to determine whether it is a matter of a few coincidences, or whether it is a matter of many parallel details that are difficult to falsify, and that can confirm the identity of the Messiah.
                  Moses as a foreshadow of Jesus Christ
The apostle Paul found so many texts in the Old Testament about Messiah, so he was able to speak about it to his listeners from morning till evening:
“So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.” Acts 28:23
The Apostle Paul said that the events of Moses' life were recorded as a lesson for God's people: "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11
The Apostle Paul explained some historical events of the Old Testament as prophecies about the Messiah and God's plan for the salvation of men, especially the events of Moses' life.
God told Moses to strike the rock with a stick, which was a symbol the Messiah would be struck, which means, by His death the water of life will be given to God’s people.
When a crisis broke out in the wilderness for the second time because they ran out of water, God told Moses only to speak to the rock. (--- “Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock…” Numbers 20:8)
This time, Moses did not have to hit the rock, but only to speak to it, so that the water of life would flow.
This meant that the Messiah would die only once, and now it is enough to say a word, to pray, and to receive the water of life.
Unfortunately, Moses made a mistake and hit the rock instead of just speaking to it. God’s reaction showed how important to Him was to do symbolic events exactly as He instructed.
God did not consider this as an unimportant detail, but as a distortion of a foreshadow of His plan to save people.
God considered Moses' transgression so great that He told Moses that He would not enter the Promised Land.
The severity of punishment is proportional to the importance of this symbolic historical event.
When Moses killed an Egyptian who was harassing slaves, to protect a slave that an Egyptian soldier would probably kill, God did not punish Moses.
To most people, Moses' punishment does not look appropriate, because God denied him what Moses wanted the most: to enter the promised land and bring the Israelites with him.
However, God punishes Moses by denying him what was the most important to him, because Moses tampered very important symbolic foreshadow of the Messiah.
This way God showed how important it is to pay attention to every detail of the prophecies. Some people think it is not important to follow in detail the symbolic services of the Old Testament, so they improvise and change details of the Lord's Supper or baptism.
We should pay attention to the details of symbolism of historical events, because it will be fulfilled as it was written, and it might be vital for us.
Thus, biblical historical events symbolize God's plan for the salvation of men.
The Apostle Paul talked all day long about a multitude of texts where the Old Testament describes the Messiah, and here we will try in a much shorter time to list some texts of the Old Testament describing Jesus Christ.
We will first examine the amazing similarities between Moses' life and the Messiah.
The rock from which they drank water in the desert symbolizes Christ who died on the cross so that we could have the water of life.
 Manna, the bread which was falling from heaven in the desert for forty years, represents the body of Christ, symbolized by the bread of life that gives us strength for spiritual life.
The fact that the Israelites passed through the Red Sea on dry land - represents baptism, in other words, cleansing from sin.
 “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
Paul says that all this happened to Israelites to serve as an example (10:6 typoi), or a foreshadow to important future events. Then apostle Paul says: “Now all these things happened to them as examples (typikōs), and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (10:11) Greek word means “style or resemblance; a sampler, a model”.
Although Moses made the mistake of hitting the rock, in many other places he is a sample, model or a foreshadow of the Messiah.
                 Similarities between Moses and Jesus Christ
“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”
 “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’ Acts 7:35-37
God has informed us here that He will raise up someone who will be like Moses, who will have a similar function, a similar life, who will fulfill the plan of salvation as prophesied through Moses in the historical events described in the Bible.
Just as Moses was the deliverer of God's people from bondage, so the Messiah will save God's people in the future.
Jesus said, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Luke 24:44
Let's look at the similarities between Moses and Jesus Christ, and judge for yourself whether this is a coincidence, or whether these historical texts of the Old Testament point towards the Messiah.
Moses survived the genocide as a baby. Pharaoh wanted to kill him, because he heard the prophecy someone will be born to free his people from slavery.
So he ordered the killing of Jewish male babies, but the Moses still survived. (--- “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river…” Exodus 1:22)
Jesus also survived the genocide. Herod wanted to kill Jesus who came as prophesied the future king who would deliver God’s people. Herod killed all the children of the age that would correspond to the prophecy, but the Messiah still survived. (--- “Then Herod… sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under” Matthew 2:16)
Both Moses and Jesus were not safe among the Israelites because the ruler of the land wanted to kill them, but their lives were saved by leaving the Israelites to live among the Egyptians.
King Herod heard the Israelites were expecting the birth of a Savior according the prophecy, and he thought the Messiah would be his political opponent.
Pharaoh must have heard that the Israelites were expecting the birth of a savior from slavery according the prophecy, and he thought the deliverer would be his political opponent.
Moses left the royal court in Egypt. Jesus left the royal court in heaven.
They both chose a difficult life, even though they could enjoy material wealth. Both claimed to be shepherds, which is a symbol of the leader of God's people.
Moses, instead of living as a rich heir to the Egyptian throne, he preferred to save the Israelites from slavery, even though it meant he would be poor and unrecognized.
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…”
“…choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27
Notice that the apostle Paul claims Moses knew about the shame of Messiah, which means, about His suffering on the cross, even though it happened thousands of years later.
According to apostle Paul, we can conclude Moses was aware that events in his life somehow reflect and symbolize what would happen to the Messiah in the future.
Jesus Christ also left the palace of Heaven to deliver His people from the bondage of sin as a poor shepherd.
“…Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
When the Devil tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered him all the kingdoms of this world, and Jesus rejected (Matthew 4:8,9) Likewise Moses rejected the high position in Egypt, in order to stand on the side of justice.
Moses was meek: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Numbers 12:3
Jesus is also meek: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart...” Matthew 11:29
“…Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” Matthew 21:5
Moses is the dominant figure in the first five books of the Old Testament.
Jesus Christ is the dominant figure, not just in the first five books of the New Testament, but in the entire Bible.
Both Moses and Jesus reformed the existing religion.
Also, God performed amazing miracles through both Moses and Jesus.
They both talked at the water spring with a woman who came to get water. Moses talked to Sephora, and Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman (John 4:6). They were both thirsty, but they helped the woman.
Both women went to inform others about the person they met at the well. Sephora informed her father, and the Samaritan woman the whole city.
Also, God revealed His commandments through both Moses and Jesus. God gave His law through Moses: "… he (Joshua) wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written." Joshua 8:32
On the other side, Jesus Christ did not receive, but He gave commandments, which is in fact an explanation of the law given via Moses: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15: 12
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34
Notice that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, but Jesus says He is the source of the commandments.
Moses and Jesus were both judges.
Moses was a judge among the Israelites. “…Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.” Exodus 18:13
Jesus Christ is not a judge just to one single nation, but to the whole world: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
God fed the multitude with bread from heaven both through Moses and through Jesus.
Moses prayed before the people, and the bread fell from Heaven in a supernatural way. They called this bread manna.
"And Moses said to them, 'This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.' Exodus 16:15
In front of 4,000 and 5,000 people, Jesus Christ created bread, and he gave the people to eat.
Jesus said He is the bread of life: “’Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ Then they said to Him, ‘Lord, give us this bread always.’
And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” John 6:32-35
Also, both Moses and Jesus overcame the serpent temptation in the wilderness, and cured all who had been poisoned by snake venom. In the Bible, the serpent is a symbol of Satan.
God told Moses in the wilderness how He would heal the people bitten by the serpent. “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” Numbers 21:7,8
Jesus resisted all the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, to be able to give an antidote to all people.
Jesus Himself drew a direct parallel between Himself and Moses, when He said to Nicodemus: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” John 3:14
In other words, Jesus says that this historical event from Moses' life, also represents what will happen to the Messiah.
As Moses lifted up the serpent on a wooden stick, so Jesus took our sins upon the wooden cross. He was condemned to death to save us, lifted up on a tree, and delivered from eternal death those who trust in God - as the Israelites were healed when they looked at the raised snake.
This prophecy has another fulfillment. When Jesus comes a second time, all the sins of men will be transferred to Satan as the originator of sin, to the true serpent, and on the Day of Atonement, judgment will be executed upon Satan, as the serpent was lifted on a staff.
Another unusual similarity between Moses and Jesus is the transfiguration.
How many other people do you know, who talked to God and their faces shone? In the Bible, this happened only to Moses and Jesus, because Moses is a foreshadow of the Messiah.
Moses climbed the mountain, and God spoke to him so all Israelites could hear, and his face shone when came down from the mountain. “Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai … that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.”
“So, when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. …And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.” Exodus 34:29,30,33
Like Moses, Jesus also climbed the mountain, but not only his head shone with light, but his whole body and clothes:
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them…”
“His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1,2
Of all the pious people, it was Moses who was with Jesus when he was transfigured before the apostles - the only other person whose face shone on the mountain when meeting God.
Once again, a historical event from Moses' life, was actually a description and a prophecy about what would happen to the Messiah. Jesus literally fulfilled this event.
God is omniscient, and He leaves nothing to chance. In the Bible, overlapping facts are not accidental.
When we read the Bible, we should look for the message behind the text, because it is a word inspired by God's wisdom.
Moses was with Christ at the time of the transfiguration because in his life he had a similar experience of transfiguration.
Moses' transfiguration was a prophecy of the transfiguration of the Messiah. When Messiah was incarnated, He had to cover his glory and light in order to communicate with people.
Also, God spoke to Moses and Jesus publicly in front of other people.
There are not many people in the Bible to whom God spoke directly face to face, and Moses is one of the few: "But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deuteronomy 34:10).
God also spoke publicly with Jesus Christ, in front of people, during baptism and transfiguration.
“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:17
“…and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”” Matthew 17:5,6
Both Moses and Jesus came to free the people from slavery, but in both cases the people misunderstood their mission, and they tried to stone them two times:
 “So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!”” Exodus 17:4
“And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.” Numbers 14:10
You may wonder how Jesus could arrange for the same thing to happen to Him, since fulfillment depends on His enemies. It is unlikely that Jesus will also happen to be twice in danger of being stoned but that's exactly what happened.
“Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” John 8:59
“’I and My Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.” John 10:30,31
The people did not understand neither the mission of Moses or Jesus, so they tried to stone them at two different occasions.
Both Moses and Jesus led twelve.
Moses led 12 princes of Israel from the 12 tribes. Numbers 1:44
Jesus Christ also led the twelve apostles (Luke 6:13); and the names of the twelve apostles will be written at the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12,14). This city has the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel at the 12 gates.
Moses and Jesus both chose 70 leaders, and they both poured out their spirit on the leaders of God's people:
God commended Moses to choose 70 elders to whom he put his spirit: “So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.” Numbers 11:16,17
In addition to the apostles, Jesus Christ also had 70 disciples whom he sent to preach in his name (--- “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” Luke 10:1).
He also poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples. “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21,22 See Acts 2:1-4
They both fasted in the desert, the same number of days - 40 days.
Moses fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness of Sinai "So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water." Exodus 34:28
Jesus Christ fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness: “…He had fasted forty days and forty nights…” Matthew 4:1,2
Both Moses and Jesus built the temple.
Moses made the Sanctuary according to God's instruction: “According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:9
Jesus is building a living temple, and people who trust in God are built into that temple. He provided this possibility by His death and resurrection:
“Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19 “For you are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16
Both Mosses and Jesus have the function of the promised savior.
As promised by God, Moses freed God's people from the literal bondage, and became a foreshadow of the Messiah who would free God's people from the bondage of sin.
As promised by the prophet Isaiah, Jesus announced that he came to be the Savior of the world from sin. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18
Moses and Jesus' parents were slaves, but Moses and Jesus were not slaves.
Moses’ parents were slaves, but he became the prince of Egypt.
Jesus was born of Mary who, like all men, was a "slave of sin," but Jesus never sinned.
Moses and Jesus both died, were resurrected and are now in Heaven.
Moses was resurrected: “Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”” Jude 1:9
Moses appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration because he repented and was resurrected, as a representative of the people who repented and will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ.
Jesus also died, was resurrected, and ascended to Heaven. Matthew 28:1
"… that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…" 1 Corinthians 15:4
"After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." Mark 16:19
The most important parallel of all the others, is that Moses also interceded for the people, that he was ready to die to save the people:
“Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written (the book of life).” Exodus 32:32
When the Israelites sinned, Moses remained on God's side, as Jesus did.
Moses was ready to die for them, just as Jesus really died so we can have the eternal life.
"I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours." John 17:9
This many parallels between Moses and Jesus Christ cannot be accidental. God inspired the texts so the events from Moses’ life ensure that people understand that Jesus is the Messiah.
The New Moses
We have seen that the historical events from the life of Moses were actually prophecies fulfilled in the life of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Such a large number of parallels between Moses and Jesus could not have happened by chance. They were:
Deliverer from bondage or sin;    
They survived the genocide as a baby;
Left the royal court in Egypt / Heaven;
They were very meek, above all the men;        
Reformed the existing religion;
Performed amazing miracles;       
They were both judges;
Fed the multitude with bread from heaven;
Overcame the serpent temptation in the wilderness;
They were transfigured, their faces shone;
God spoke to them publicly;
Some people tried to stone them two times;                           
They led twelve;
Chose 70 leaders;                              
Fasted in the desert 40 days;
Built the temple;                                
They died, were resurrected and are now in Heaven;
Interceded for God’s people.
Such a large number of parallels, which are difficult to fulfill by accident and even on purpose, show us that God wants His people to recognize the Messiah and accept salvation.
Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” Jesus Christ; John 5:39
At the time when Jesus said this, the New Testament had not yet been written, there were only the writings of the Old Testament. This means Jesus claims the Old Testament speaks of Him in many places.
Except for a few well-known and recognizable prophecies related to Jesus Christ, most of people do not know where the Old Testament describes them.
"Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself…” Luke 24:25-27
“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me..” Luke 24:44
Thus, Jesus claims that both Moses and all the prophets and psalms prophesy of His mission.
Where did Moses’s prophesy about Jesus Christ? Most people would find perhaps only one verse in which Moses speaks of the Messiah.
However, on the way to Emmaus, Jesus Christ talked at length to two disciples, stating that all the Old Testament is written about him.
He even rebuked his disciples for not recognizing the prophecies about Him, written in the Old Testament.
Since the disciples did not write down the prophecies in the Old Testament Jesus applied to Himself, we need to find them ourselves.
We have seen that the Old Testament testifies to the Messiah through historical events that are prophecies of important events in God's plan of salvation.
This is how Jesus interpreted the Bible, and so did the apostles. Jesus rebuked people for not interpreting the Bible this way.
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to help us see the historical events of the Bible as prophecies concerning us and the people of our time.
If we read what happened to Moses and other heroes of faith from the Old Testament, we will better understand God's plan of salvation and we will respond with the same trust in God as other heroes of faith.
May God help us in understanding His Word, so that we always obey His instructions and adhere to His principles of life.
 
Series:  Biblical history is prophecy
Part One
History is a Prophecy! Prophecies Hidden in Biblical Historical Events
Part Two
Moses as a type of the Messiah
Part Three
David as a type of the Messiah
Part Four
Job as a type of the Messiah
Part Five
Joseph as a type of the Messiah