Moses as a Type of the Savior

Moses as a Type of the Savior

By Jeffrey A. Bushman June 2014

 

I would like to show how Moses is a type of Christ by first giving you some commonly taught examples in the ministry of Moses in part one.  But my real goal is to use the exodus of Israel as one of the greatest stories teaching the roll of the Savior in saving Israel and making the Celestial kingdom available, this will be in part two.

1^st Part

Moses as a Type for Christ

1 Both known by their name & deeds long before their birth

2 Both babies saved from slaughter when the king had the children killed

3 Both called a ruler, a deliver, and a judge

4 Both fasted 40 days

5 Both were personally tempted by Satan

6 Both carried to a high mountain, where they were transfigured

7 Both miraculously provided bread and meat

8 Both provided water

9 Both changed the nature of water, and controlled the elements like wind

10 Both were great givers of the law

11 Both were rejected by Israel the first time they offered to lead Israel

12 Both were redeemers, deliverer, or liberator

13 Both restored the church in their day, and called others (12 & 70) to lead

14 Both Loved, prayed for and interceded for their people

15 Both were compared to each other in scripture

16 Both prophesied concerning the destiny of Israel

17 Both ascended into heaven in a cloud

I did not include any references for they are pretty well known  

and taught.  I want to spend more time on part 2.

 

2^nd Part

The Story of the Exodus of Israel as a Plan of Happiness Experience

 

Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers, later saved them from a famine by bringing the whole family into the land of Goshen, considered the best part of the Egypt.  Once they were established they prospered as long as Joseph was alive, but years after he died, there arose a Pharaoh, who knew not Joseph, and who was responsible for bringing the Children of Israel in to bondage.  In the book of Revelation chapter 11:8 Egypt is mentioned as a symbolic place of wickedness or being of the world.  During this time, Israel was in bondage to sin or the world and had not the power to free themselves from the grip of Egypt.  This is just like all who come to the earth, who experience their own fall when they sin and put themselves in Satan’s power.(see Romans 3:23)  Once we are cut off from God because of our fall, we become carnal, sensual and devilish, we are incapable of saving ourselves from this bondage.

Once Israel realized they were suffering hard bondage, and a loss of freedom, and forced to serve Egypt, they turned to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and prayed that he would deliver them from their bondage.  Because of God’s knowing they would turn to him for relief, he set in motion the great story of Moses and their deliverance from the power of Satan. (Pharaoh) God had already planned for their deliverance from Satan for any who returned to him.  This is according to some of the prophecies of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.  When Moses as a baby was put in an ark and was found by Pharaoh’s daughter she called him Moses which in Egyptian means, to begat a child but in Hebrew it means to “draw out”.  It would be Moses’s mission to draw Israel and any others who would listen out of Egypt (world & bondage to sin) and help them obtain a land of promise. (Celestial kingdom or presence of God) 

Paul taught in Hebrews 11:24-29 that Moses knew who he was and chose to follow the Lord rather than enjoy the sins of Egypt for a season.  He later thought that all Israel should know that he was the one the Lord raised up to provide them God’s deliverance from their bondage.

Later Moses decided to visit his brethren and was involved in an altercation with an Egyptian who was trying to force his will on an Israelite woman.  When Pharaoh heard of this, he was angry with Moses, and Moses fled for his life and eventually joined the shepherds of Midian and joined Reuel priest of Midian and married his daughter.  He was instructed in how the priesthood works.  After 40 years of being a shepherd he experienced the burning bush episode where he came to more fully get to know the Lord. Remember 40 is a number meaning time of trial and preparation.  This came after 40 years in Egypt and then it led to 40 years of working to get them to recognize the Lord’s hand in all things and preparing them for life in the Promised Land. (Lord’s presence)

In Exodus 3 Moses has his experience with God at the burning bush where he is instructed by the Lord to his role of setting Israel free, and bringing them back to this mountain where they would serve God.

The Lord teaches Moses that the Egyptians will not allow Israel to go out of bondage but that the Lord will stretch forth his hand (power) to teach Egypt that he is God and then they will finally let them go when he has humbled them.  The Israelites are to ask the Egyptians for their jewels and all Egypt will gladly give up all they have just to get the Israelites out of their lives.  God will not only conqueror his enemies, but takes back that with which he had blessed them and blesses those who will have him to be their God.  It may be considered back wages due to Israel for her service.

Moses is given Aaron his brother to be his spokesman and heads back to Egypt to free Israel.  Once he arrives he goes to the Israelites and tells them his errand from the Lord.  He has to show them the signs the Lord had given him on the mountain, one was his hand turning leprous and then putting it back in his bosom and drawing it out and it was healed.

Leprosy was a disease symbolic of sin and living death, showing Israel that God had given him great power, much more than Pharaoh possessed.  Once Moses had convinced the Elders of Israel, he then went in to talk to Pharaoh.  Pharaoh rejected the request of Moses and put harder tasks on Israel.  Sounds like Satan when people start to turn to the Lord he seems to make it seem harder to do what’s right than go with the way things were like in the past.  Israel then rejects Moses because of the hard bondage and he seeks out direction from the Lord.  God then strengthens Moses and tells him what to do.

Moses has some interesting experiences with Pharaoh over the next few days.  He brings down many plagues and many seemed to focus on showing the Egyptians that their gods are no gods, like the Sun, Nile River, Cattle and frogs many of which now cause much hardship for all Egypt.  Some of the plagues also come to Israel because of their unbelief but later the Lord’s plagues only effect Egypt and not Israel.  Israel seems to be learning that God is God and they start to exercise faith, even starting to believe that they might be free soon. 

Pharaoh had magicians who’s power was given by Satan and they help harden Pharaoh’s heart as they also duplicated some of the plagues, but eventually they admitted to Pharaoh that Moses’s power was from God and much greater than theirs.

Finally we get to the plague that sets Israel free.  The Lord tells Moses that about midnight that he will go into the midst of Egypt and kill the first born in all Egypt but he will make a way for Israel to escape.  The Lord then has then reckon their time from this date, it is to become the beginning of months. (new beginnings) and they are to get ready for a paschal feast on the 10 day of the month. (10 in Hebrew has many meaning but here are a few: it is the numerical value of Yod, the Eternal Word, the first letter of the divine name, the ten commandments, diving support, represents also the mystic return to unity)

On this day they were to take a lamb for their father’s house.  If your house was small you could group together with another house in order to have enough to consume the lamb at this Passover meal.  Each item describing the preparation of the lamb is to draw your attention to the Savior as he is our paschal lamb.  The lamb had to be male of the first year. (Christ is the first born of Heavenly Father) It had to be without blemish, (no sin) and they were to keep it until the 14 day. (Possible 2 times 7 which may stand for completion or perfection)  It was to be killed in the evening, (a time of darkness) and then take it’s blood and strike it on the two sides post and on the upper door post of the house where you are going to eat it. (the door posts seem to represent the everyday life of those who lived there, it was their coming and goings)  It was if they wanted their everyday life to reflect the saving life blood of the lamb. (Christ)  They were to eat the flesh of the lamb that night and leave nothing of it to remain until the morning. (They were to use the full benefits of the death of the son of God in their life and not just a part of it)  It was also to be roasted in the fire. (Fire is symbolic of the spirit and power of God, it is a cleansing agent or purifier) They were also to eat it with their loins girded, (here they would take their hand and reach between their legs and grab the back of their robe and pull it between their legs and tuck in into the sash around their waist.  This was a sign that they were ready for action and ease of motion so as to not trip on their robe.  They were to be ready to go as soon as the way from God was revealed to them.  It is like us and our sins, we are not to wait for a better day but to do it now when God tells us)  They also eat with their shoes on and their staff in their hand and eat in haste,(for as soon as the destroying angel had passed over Egypt they needed to be ready to go then) for because of the blood on the posts they would be protected against the angel of death.  But when God said to move you need to be ready.

They were also to eat unleaven bread from the 14 to the 21 or 7 days. (unleaven bread is bread without yeast which causes the bread to rise but it also cause it to spoil after a little time.  It is symbolic of sin especially that of pride or being puffed up) They needed to be humble and willing to follow the Lord no matter what he asked of them.  That Passover night they were to stay in the house all night and not go into the streets, you needed the protection of being in the Lord’s house.  One last instruction was that they were not to break any bones of the lamb. (Christ had no broken bones on the day of his death)  This Passover was only for Israel or for the strangers who would be willing to covenant through being circumcised before eating of the Passover. (Today only those who are willing to covenant with the Lord are able to truly able to be saved in his presence by the power of the lamb)

Once all the first born of Egypt died, just before dawn, Israel started to leave Egypt.  Again this was in the month of Abib which is the first day of Spring, or new beginnings.  As they left Egypt the Lord went before them in a pillar of Cloud (Power and glory of God) in the day time and as a pillar of fire in the night. (Fire again is the spirit of the Lord to give us direction and light in our lives as we follow him)

The Lord tells Moses to have the people camp near the Red Sea and tells him that Pharaoh will soon come after them.  Pharaoh decides to change his mind after thinking it was dumb to let them go and stop serving him. (Sound like what Satan does to people who are trying to do better, he will try anything he can to bring them back into bondage.  Many converts think that all will go well when they join the church, but they might need to prepare for Satan’s onslaught that will undoubtedly come)  Pharaoh arrives on the scene at the shore of the sea and then the Lord has Moses tell the people to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  Now one note, whenever it says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart the JST changes that to Pharaoh hardened his own heart for the Lord does not play of role of Satan.  At this point in the story the Lord who had been in the front leading now moves between the army of Pharaoh and Israel.  It talks about this cloud being darkness to the Egyptians but gave light to Israel.  It is how many nonbelievers feel about the gospel of Christ, because it appears as darkness to the unbeliever, they can’t seem to open their hearts and minds to be enlightened by the spirit of the Lord, but those of a righteous nature, the spirit enlightens and opens their mind to comprehend the things of God.  That is why many wicked people just think we are stupid when it is really the opposite way.

Once Pharaoh believes he has Israel is in his power, the Lord inspires Moses to lift up his rod and part the Sea (remember that Satan has power over the seas or water).  All night a wind (spirit of the Lord) blows and stacks the water up on each side so that a path is made with dry ground (no wickedness, firm foundation) for Israel to cross in safety.  Pharaoh tries to follow Israel through the sea but the Lord takes off the wheels of their chariots and they drag heavy.  When the Egyptians realize that God is still fighting for Israel they want to flee from the face of Israel, but then the Lord instructs Moses to stretch his hand over the sea so that it would come in upon the Egyptians.  A little later, all Israel sees that not one soul of Pharaoh’s army survived, for they saw their bodies on the sea shore.

Paul makes an interesting comment about this experience in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea.  All were baptized unto Moses in the cloud (baptized of the spirit ) and in the sea (Baptized in the water); And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” ( Sounds like sacrament)

One important symbolism is that this Red Sea event is when they passed though the water, and the power and might of their former masters was washed away leaving no more power over them, and they were now truly free through the power of Christ. So developing faith that God sent Moses, then returning after they rejected him and being baptized of the spirit and the water, they are now ready to manifest their righteousness by following Moses through the wilderness to the Mountain of the Lord. (Mt. Sinai-Temple) Here at the Mountain of the Lord they will be given the opportunity of getting to know the Lord face to face. (See Exodus 15:17 & John 17:3 getting to know God is Eternal Life)

During their sojourn in the wilderness many murmured and complained even after healing the bitter water, (providing living water) and sending down manna or bread (bread of Life) and then providing meat with the flocks of quail.  As they learned to trust the Lord and then after 3 months they arrived at Mt. Sinai here the Lord tells them that if they will keep their covenants and obey his voice they will be a kingdom of priests. (Think of the temple)  After the Lord made this offer they all said they would do as the Lord asked.  The people prepared as Moses instructed and then the Lord came down on the Mountain. It was covered with clouds with much thunder and lightning. (Glory and power of the Lord) Following this experience the people said to Moses that he should speak to God and they would just like to hear from Moses what God wanted and not talk to God themselves.

 God then gives the 10 commandments and then has Moses teach them his laws.  Once the people have put themselves under covenant with Moses’s help.  They signified this covenant by having the blood of the sacrifice sprinkled on them, later 70 of the elders of Israel went up on the Mountain and saw God face to face with their own eyes. (Ex.24:9-14)

Moses then is instructed to build a tabernacle and the Lord promises to dwell in the midst of his people.  During the next few months they progress towards the Promised Land and then 12 are sent to spy out the Promised Land.  On their return Joshua and Caleb give good reports but the other 10 give wicked reports and the people rebel for the 10^th time against Moses and the Lord.  They decide they want to return to Egypt and just forget the Promised Land.  The Lord then tells them because of their wickedness that only Joshua and Caleb will enter the promised land and all others over the age of 20 will wander 1 year for each day the spies were gone or 40 years and after all these adults died he would take their children into the Promised land.

At the end of 40 years Moses will be taken into heaven and be released from his calling and he will appoint Joshua of the tribe of Ephraim to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.  Moses was to draw them out of Egypt and Joshua (Hoshea in Hebrew that means Jesus in Greek or savior or redeemer) was to take them from the wilderness into the Promised Land. 

The story of Moses and the exodus was repeated over and over to later generations, explaining the great love God had for the House of Israel.  He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and was their savior and deliverer.  He has the power to bring his people out of bondage and captivity and bring them to a Promised Land where he would be their God.

Today, as the children of Israel we have the opportunity to be faithful in our wilderness journey and with help through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ he will carry us from this world to a far better place where we can dwell in the presence of our Father in Heaven.

One last thought, as Joshua was from Ephraim, even so in the last days it will be Ephraim’s responsibility to help the Lord bring the rest of the twelve tribes into their Promised Land.