August 5, 2004

A PROPHET LIKE MOSES

"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 7:37, NKJV).

In an impassioned speech to the Sanhedrin, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, referred to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-18 that God would raise up a prophet like Moses. Stephen and the rest of the apostles saw this prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus.

"Moses was a type of Christ."--Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 480. He prefigured the Messiah. During Christ's earthly ministry, many recognized Him to be the promised prophet like unto Moses (see John 6:14; 7:40). Moses himself urged the people, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me... You must listen to him" (Deuteronomy 18:15, NIV). This verse was the burden of Stephen's stirring appeal to the Sanhedrin. Sadly, rather than listening to Him as Moses had urged, they rejected and murdered Him instead (see Acts 7:37-51).

The typology between Moses and Christ is quite significant. Moses was the great liberator of God's people from Egyptian bondage; Christ is the great liberator of the human race from the bondage of sin. Moses was the lawgiver of Israel; Christ is the divine lawgiver. Moses mediated on behalf of Israel; Christ is the heavenly mediator. Moses was Israel's greatest leader; Christ is the supreme leader of all time. Jesus excelled Moses in all things. He is the Son of God and the Son of man; the spotless sacrifice and the undefiled high priest; the Redeemer and the King eternal. "Through Moses, God's purpose to send His Son as the Redeemer of the fallen race was kept before Israel... Plainly had Moses been instructed for Israel concerning the work of the Messiah to come."--Lift Him Up, p. 29.

My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to listen to You and obey Your voice as the divine messenger to me. Amen.