Christ in the Old Testament: God relentlessly pursues His people. Introduction: Moses knows as he writes the Torah that it is all about Jesus.

Transcription

1 Dt18slidesgodrelentlesslypursuesus Deuteronomy Christ in the Old Testament: God relentlessly pursues His people Introduction: Moses knows as he writes the Torah that it is all about Jesus. 1. Moses was a prophet pointing us to the Prophet The three fold work of a prophet: - A prophet stood in God s counsel - Knew the mind of God - Was enabled to communicate God s will (warnings and foretellings) 2. So who is this Prophet to come of Whom Moses speaks? 3. Some similarities between Jesus and Moses 1 Both Moses and Jesus were born when Israel was under bondage (Moses in Egypt Ex.1:8, 10, and Jesus during Israel's Roman bondage. Mt.2:1, Lk.2:1-2) 2 Edicts were issued by the world (Gentile) powers of both Pharaoh and Herod for their death at birth. (Ex.2:3, Mt.2:15) 3 Both were miraculously delivered from death during their infancy from their enemies of Israel (Ex.2:3, Lk.2:7;Mt 2:14,15) and were preserved in childhood. 4 Both had been born and found in unusual places. Moses was found in the water floating in a basket of bulrushes (Ex.2:3) Jesus in a manger (cave) wrapped in burial cloths (Lk.2:7) 5 Both Moses and Jesus were protected and preserved by

2 the faith of their parent. Moses was hidden by faith (Ex.2:2-3 and Heb.11:23) Jesus life was preserved by his parents obeying the message in a dream. (Mt.2:13-14) 6 Both Moses and Jesus stayed safely in Egypt for a time. Moses (Ex.2:10) Jesus dwelt safely in Egypt (Mt.2:14-15) 7 Both had their brothers and family speak against them. Moses had Miriam and Aaron speak against him for taking a Cushite wife (Numb.12:1) Jesus had his family criticize and reject him (Mt.13:54-57, Jn.7:3) 8 Both Moses and Jesus were reared in the house that was not their natural parents. (Moses in the house of Pharaoh (Ex.2:10) Jesus by Mary the mother of his humanity and his stepfather Joseph. 9 Both as prophets predicted Israel's history (Deut.28:15-28; Mt.23:34,24:1,2,8,34) 10 Both spoke out against Israel's enemies and persecutors. (Deut.23:3-4; Mt.25:41-48) 11 Both were considered a snare to Israel (Ex10:7; 1Pt.2:8=Isa.8:14) 12 Both cleansed leprosy. From Moses time no one that was Jewish was cleansed until Jesus came (Numb.12:10-16, Mk.1:40-41). This is a very significant factor that proves Jesus was the prophet Moses spoke of, since no other cured one of the brethren of this disease from Moses' time. 13 Both were used of God to feed Israel miraculously, Moses with manna in the wilderness (Ex.16:14-17) Jesus with the five loaves and two fish fed four and five thousand two times. (Mt.14:19-21) Jesus also called himself the true manna that came from heaven in Jn.6, comparing himself to the miracle that sustained Israel alive through the desert. 14 Both had the forces of nature obey them (the seas) Moses (Ex.14:21-22) Jesus (Mt.8:26-27) 15 Each had seventy helpers Moses (Num.11:16-17) Jesus ( Lk.10:1). 16 Both fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness to bring a covenant to Israel. Moses on the top of Mt. Sinai (Ex.24:18, 34:28, Deut.9:9) Jesus in the desert as the Son

3 of God (Mt.4:2) 17 Both had a face to face relationship with God unlike any other person. Moses (Ex.33:9-11, Deut.34:10; Numb.12:7-8) Jesus was with God=face to face from eternity (Jn.1:1,18) 18 God spoke audibly and directly from heaven to both Moses and Jesus. Moses (Ex.20:22, 24:12-16) Jesus (Mt.3:17; Jn.12:28) 19 Both were God's spokesmen to and for the people. Moses (Ex.9:35; Numb.12:2) Jesus (Heb.1:1-3). They Spoke as oracles of God (Moses Deut. 18:18) Jesus (Jn.14:24, 5:24) 20 Both Moses and Jesus reflected and shown the glory of God. Moses reflected his glory temporarily. (Ex.34:29-35; 2 Cor.3:7-14) Jesus at the transfiguration, his face shown brighter than the sun revealing his true nature (Mt.17:2; Jn.1:14) 21 Both were known for their humility and meekness as God's servants. Moses (Numb.12:3) Jesus (Mt.11:29; Phil.2:3-8) 22 Both contended with masters of deception and darkness Moses with Pharaohs magicians (Ex 7:11, 1 Tim.3:8) Jesus with the Devil (Mt 4:1). 23 Both prayed intercessory prayers for God s people and were willing to bear the consequences of the people's sins. Moses asked to be blotted out of the book of life for the peoples sake (Ex.32:32-33). Jesus asked for them to be kept from falling away (Jn. 17:9-17). Jesus asked for those to be forgiven while he bore the consequences in their stead. (Lk.23:34, 2 Cor.5:19, 1 Pt.2:21-24, Isa.53:8) 24 Both Moses and Jesus were rejected by their own brethren for a time and accepted by the gentiles. Moses (Ex.2:14-22, 32:1) Jesus was rejected by his own people and received by another who were not his own. (Isa.53:3; Mt.12:21; Mk.6:4; Lk.20:9-17, Rom.11:20) 25 Both Moses and Jesus established a priesthood. Moses began the Aaronic priesthood which was temporary under the law (Lev.9; Numb.8:20-26; Heb.9:19-22). Jesus established a eternal priesthood under the new covenant of

4 grace which He alone functions as the high priest forever. (Heb.7:17,19,23,25-28; 9:12) 26 Both sprinkled the blood of the covenant on the altar and the people. Moses (Ex.24:7-8; Lev.8:19) Jesus (Heb.9,12:24; 1Pt.1:2) 27 Both were sent by God to reveal His name, person and law to the people. To Moses God said to tell them I Am sent you. (Ex.3:13-14) Jesus said God sent him as his exact representative revealing his name (I Am) and nature to the people. (Jn.8:42; 17:6,11-12; Col.2:9; Heb.1:3) 28 Both were involved in giving the covenant to the people Jn.1:17 the law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. At the feast of Pentecost Moses gave the law. At the feast (Pentecost) in the new covenant Jesus gave the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). 29 Both brought deliverance to the Jewish people. Those who followed Moses out of the bondage of slavery to Egypt. (Ex.3:7-8,10;12:31-33,42) Jesus brought people out of a greater bondage, slavery to sin. (Rom.3:24-25,6:6-7,8:2-4; Eph.1:7;Heb.9:26) 30 Both had an angel guard their graves. After Moses died &Michael the Arch-angel guarded his body. (Jude 9) And when Jesus rose an angel guarded his tomb. (Mt.26:2-6) 31 Both re-appeared after they died, Moses ( Mt 17:3 with Jesus before his death) Jesus (Acts 1:3) 4. We can read, study or even teach the Bible and still not understand the Gospel, not believe in Jesus. John Conclusion: The Scripture is all about Jesus, with continuity in both the Old and New Testament. God will one day get up and judge us who read it for information instead of for transformation reading for rules and regulations instead of about Jesus. Deut. 18:19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

5 Application: How can we properly understand God s word? - Read God s word for transformation not only for information or regulations. - See the passage within its historical setting and how it points us to Jesus. It is not about us at our first reading. We don t fulfill the Law, Jesus fulfills the Law. - Recognize Jesus supremacy - Jesus came to do his Father s work of saving sin-sick sinners, He did not come to give good advice or to offer another way of thinking about life. - God relentlessly pursues us so listen to Him. Listen to Jesus voice, as God sent His prophets to tell us about Jesus and God sent Jesus as The Prophet to speak to our hearts in relentless pursuit of our souls in order to gather us back home to Himself. V.15