June 2003

 

                    

             Baby in the Basket                             Baby in the Manger

 

Dear Mishpachah (Family),

The Giving of the Law and the Spirit

As we celebrate the feast of Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost) beginning on the evening of June 5, 2003, we focus on two major events: 1) the giving of the Law or Torah on Mt. Sinai and 2) the giving of the Holy Spirit on Mt. Zion in the Upper Room.

Both these dramatic, world-changing events happened on the same day about 1,500 years apart, as planned by our sovereign Lord. His point? The Law given on tablets of stone was on the outside. Man could never keep the whole law, but it would serve to show him his sin. What man really needed was the Law on the inside. This is what happened in the Upper Room. Yeshua’s disciples experienced the fulfillment of Shavuot and received the promise of Jeremiah 31:33 in which God said that He would put His law in the minds of His people and write it on their hearts. This "New Covenant," initiated by the blood of Yeshua, became reality as the Ruach HaKodesh was poured out on the waiting disciples in Jerusalem.

Moses and Yeshua

Moses is known as Israel’s "Lawgiver." Yeshua is Israel’s "Messiah." These two chosen vessels of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have much in common. On this Shavuot, we feel led to examine the parallels between Moses and Yeshua. In the Torah, God told Moses: "I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him." (Deuteronomy 18:18-19)

Was Yeshua of Nazareth the Prophet like Moses, raised up by God from within Israel to be His spokesman? Philip thought he was: "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45).

When Yeshua spoke to a woman from Samaria at a well, she expressed the conviction that she knew a Messiah was coming who would "tell us all things." Yeshua said to this woman, "I who speak to you am He." Thus Yeshua identified Himself as the Messiah, the Prophet like Moses.

The prophecy of Deuteronomy 18 emphasized the fact that the promised prophet would speak in the name of God and with His authority. Some traditional rabbis such as Rabbi Levi Ben Gershom have said that these verses speak of the Messiah: "Truly, the Messiah is such a prophet, as the Midrash states, ‘Behold my servant will prosper’ (Isaiah 52:13) ...By means of the miracles he performed Moses succeeded in getting only one nation to serve God, but the Messiah will cause all the peoples on earth to serve him." The Targum attaches an interesting interpretation to this verse: "The Lord your God will raise up from your midst a prophet by the Holy Spirit who will be like me." (Risto Santala, The Messiah in the Old Testament).

The Messiah is often spoken of in ancient Jewish writings as the "second Moses." The Midrash literature on Moses speaks of the ‘First’ and the ‘Last Saviours.’ "Just as there was a First Saviour, so there will be a Last...

Moses

1. Moses, a Jew by birth, was born when Egyptians (gentiles) ruled the people of Israel (Ex1:8-10).

2. An evil ruler, Pharaoh decreed that all male Hebrew babies should be killed by casting them into the river (Ex. 1:22).

3. Moses was hidden in Egypt 3 months to keep him alive (Ex. 2:2).

4. Moses’ mother put him in the river in a BASKET (Ex. 2:3).

5. "Moses" means drawn out of water (Ex. 2:10). Drawing out of water is a picture of salvation (Isa. 12:3). (Moses was Israel’s vehicle of salvation).

6. The favor of God was upon Moses, even as an infant. Pharaoh’s daughter took him out of the river and he became a prince in Egypt (Ex. 2:5).

7. Moses was brought up by a man who was not his natural father (Ex. 2:9-10).

8. Moses, when grown, saw the burdens of his brethren and had compassion on them (Ex. 2:11).

9. Moses at a well, was kind to the daughters of the priest of Midian and watered their flock (not the usual custom) (Ex. 2:17).

10. Moses was in exile in a foreign land until the king of Egypt died (Ex. 2:23).

11. Moses was a shepherd of God’s people (Ps. 77:20).

12. Moses began his ministry in a supernatural way – A bush burned with fire, but was not consumed, and God spoke from the midst of the bush (Ex. 3:2-4).

13. God sent Moses to deliver His people because He knew their sorrows (Ex. 3:7).

14. Moses "came down" to deliver His people (Ex. 3:8) and to "bring them up to the Promised Land."

15. Moses was very humble, saying "Who am I??" (Ex. 3:11). He was called "very meek" in Num.12:3.

16. Moses performed many public miracles following God’s direction (Ex. 4:4-9).

17. The reason behind Moses’ liberation of the Hebrews was for them to serve God (Ex. 9:1).

18. Moses delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage through BLOOD (Ex. 12:13, 23). (Lambs without blemish were slain. Their blood protected Hebrew homes from death.)

19. Moses instructed Israel to remember the Lord’s deliverance (Ex. 12:25-27) via a covenant meal (Passover).

20. Moses gave the Israelites sweet, "living water" to drink (Ex. 16:25).

21. God revealed His healing power through Moses (Ex. 15:26).

22. Moses gave God’s people bread from heaven to eat (manna) (Ex. 16:15).

23. The whole congregation of Israel murmured against Moses (Ex. 15:24).

24. Moses told the people to gather manna every morning – daily bread (Ex. 16:20-21).

25. People were ready to stone Moses (Ex. 17:4)

26. Moses received God’s Law on a mountain and told the people what God expected of them (Ex19:3).

27. God came to Moses in a thick cloud (Ex. 19:9; 24:16).

28. Moses sprinkled the blood of the first covenant on the people (Ex. 24:8).

29. God gave Moses commandments to teach His people (Ex. 24:12)

30. Moses interceded with God for Israel when He was angry with His people (Ex. 32:11-14).

31. God spoke with Moses face to face (Ex. 33:11; Num. 12:8).

32. Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights when he received the Law (Ex. 34:28).

33. Moses’ face shone with the glory of God (Ex. 34:29).

34. God told Moses how He wanted to be worshipped – the Tabernacle (mishkan) (Ex. 40).

35. Moses, a prophet, was a mouthpiece for God. He spoke the words God gave him (Ex. 19:7-8).

36. Moses commanded the children of Israel to keep their lamps burning continually (Lev. 24:2).

37. Moses fed the children of Israel (a multitude) in a supernatural way (Ex. 16:15).

38. Moses was faithful in God’s house (Num. 12:7).

39. Moses beseeched God to pardon the iniquity of His people (Num. 14:19).

40. God listened to Moses (Num. 14:20)!

41. Moses said that the "little ones" in the wilderness would enter the Promised Land (Num. 14:31).

42. Moses told the Israelites to remember and do all the commandments of the Lord (Num. 15: 38-39).

43. Moses told the Israelites that God would show that He had sent Moses by doing signs and wonders (Num. 16:28).

44. Moses made a fiery serpent on a pole and the Israelites were healed when they looked upon it (Num. 21:9).

45. Moses chose 12 men, 1 of each tribe and sent them out (to scout) to bring FRUIT (Deut. 1:23).

46. Moses said that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses a truth would be established (Deut. 19:15).

47. Moses’ relatives criticized and challenged him (Num. 12:1-2).

48. Moses was Israel’s judge, the final authority in decision-making (Ex. 18:21-22).

49. Moses reappeared after his death (on the Mt. of Transfiguration) (Mt. 17:3).

50. Moses as deliverer was initially rejected by His people, and took a gentile bride... Zipporah. (Ex. 2:11-14;16-21).

 

Yeshua

1. Yeshua, a Jew by birth, was born when Romans (gentiles) ruled the people, Israel (Lk. 2:1-5).

2. An evil ruler, Herod, decreed that all male Hebrew babies should be put to death (Mt. 2:16).

3. Yeshua was also hidden in Egypt to keep him alive (Mt. 2:13).

4. Yeshua’s mother put Him in a MANGER (feeding trough) (Lk. 2:7).

5. Yeshua’s name is Hebrew for "salvation" (Mt.1:21).

6. The favor of God was upon Yeshua. Wise men worshipped Him and presented gifts to Him (Matt. 2:11).

7. Yeshua was brought up by his stepfather, Joseph (Lk. 2:33).

8. Yeshua saw His people as sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them (Mk. 6:34).

9. Yeshua, at a well, was kind to a Samaritan woman and offered her water (not the usual custom) (John 4:9-11).

10. Yeshua was in exile in a foreign land until King Herod died (Mt. 2:19-20).

11. Yeshua called Himself the "good shepherd" who came to lay down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11-16).

12. Yeshua began his ministry in a supernatural way – A dove descended on Him and a voice from Heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:16-17).

13. God sent Yeshua to deliver His people because He knew their enslaved, brokenhearted state (Lk. 4:18).

14. Yeshua came down from Heaven to deliver His people and to bring them up to heaven one day (Phil. 2:7-8).

15. Yeshua was "meek and lowly" calling all to find rest for their souls in Him (Mt. 11:28-30).

16. Yeshua performed many public miracles following God’s direction (Jn. 5: 19-20).

17. The reason behind Yeshua’s liberation of mankind is for us to serve God (Heb. 9:14; 12:28).

18. Yeshua delivered all mankind from the bondage of sin through BLOOD (His blood, shed on the cross as The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.) (Jn. 1:29; Heb. 9:11-15).

19. Yeshua instructed His disciples (talmidim) to remember His deliverance from sin via a covenant meal (Passover, the "Lord’s Supper") (Lk. 22:14-20).

20. Yeshua promised living water to all who believe in Him (Jn. 7:38).

21. God revealed His healing power through Yeshua (Mt. 4:23).

22. Yeshua said that He was the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world (Jn. 6:33).

23. The Jews murmured at Yeshua (Jn. 6:41).

24. Yeshua taught His disciples to feed their souls with spiritual bread daily (Mt. 6:11).

25. People were ready to stone Yeshua (Jn.10:31).

26. Yeshua set the Law back in its proper place on a mountain (Mt. 5:1). (The Sermon on the Mount.)

27. God came to Yeshua on the Mt. of Transfiguration in a thick cloud (Mk. 9:7).

28. Yeshua sanctified the people with his own blood, the blood of the New Covenant (Heb. 13:12).

29. God gave Yeshua commandments to teach His people (Jn. 13:34).

30. Yeshua interceded with God on behalf of sinful man; He "made intercession for the transgressors" (Is. 53:12) and became the final sacrifice for sin (Mt. 20:28; Heb. 7:25).

31. Yeshua had an intimate "face to face" relationship with God, His Father (Jn. 14:31).

32. Yeshua fasted for 40 days and 40 nights when He was tempted in the wilderness (Mt. 4:1-2).

33. Yeshua’s face shone with the glory of God (Mt. 17:1-2).

34. God told Yeshua how He wanted to be worshipped – "spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:23-24).

35. Yeshua, as a prophet spoke the words that God gave Him (Jn. 8:28-29).

36. Yeshua commanded His children to put their light on a lampstand and let it shine before men (Mt. 5:15-16).

37. Yeshua fed a multitude (5,000) with five loaves and two fishes (Mt. 14:19-21).

38. Yeshua, the High Priest of our profession, was faithful to him that appointed Him (Heb. 3:16).

39. Yeshua, on the cross, beseeched God to forgive the iniquity of those who were crucifying Him (Lk. 23:34).

40. God listened to Yeshua (Jn. 11:41-42).

41. Yeshua said that the Kingdom of God belonged to the "little ones" (Mk. 10:14).

42. Yeshua told His disciples to keep His commandments if they would abide in His love (Jn. 15:10).

43. Yeshua told His disciples that the works He did were to prove that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father (Jn. 14:10-11).

44. Yeshua was lifted up on a pole. All who looked upon Him by faith (as He took their sin) were healed (Jn. 3:14-15).

45. Yeshua chose 12 men and sent them out to bear fruit (Mt. 10:1).

46. Yeshua said that where 2 or 3 were gathered in His name, He would be in their midst (Mt. 18:20).

47. Yeshua’s relatives criticized and challenged him (Jn. 7:5; Mt. 13:57).

48. Yeshua will return to earth as a judge. All must appear before the "judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor. 5:10). Yeshua will judge all at His appearing (2 Tim. 4:1).

49. Yeshua reappeared after His resurrection from the dead (seen by many for next 40 days) (Acts1:3).

50. Yeshua as deliverer was initially rejected by His people, and took a gentile bride...the "Church" (2 Cor. 11:2).

 

We have not exhausted the parallels between Israel’s lawgiver and Israel’s Messiah. However, we’re sure you see how accurate, detailed and trustworthy the Word of God is when it says that the Messiah would be a prophet like Moses!

Nevertheless, there are a few very important differences that must be mentioned to get the complete picture of Yeshua our Messiah. While Moses as a prophet represented God to the nation of Israel, giving His words, His message to the people, Yeshua represented God perfectly and completely in person as well as in words, not only to Israel but to the entire world. Yeshua said something that Moses could never say: "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9).

As David Stern mentions in his Commentary on the New Testament, a prophet speaks for God, which Yeshua did; but Yeshua also spoke as God. He and the Father are one (John 10:31). Moses asked God to show him His glory (Exodus 30:18). Yeshua didn’t need to do that. He Himself had been given that same glory by His Father, even before the foundation of the world (John 17:24). Moses was an obedient servant of God, but not always (Numbers 20:12). Yeshua, on the other hand, was without sin, and therefore perfectly obedient to His Father’s will (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Moses, when faced with the prospect of having to feed a multitude in the wilderness, didn’t know where to get food for them (Numbers 11:13). Yeshua, however, was the Creator of food. He knew that He simply had to lift His eyes to Heaven and pray (Matthew 14:19). Numbers 11:23 shows us that Moses doubted God’s ability at times. Yeshua, on the other hand, knew that God could do anything, even raise up children unto Abraham from stones (Matthew 3:9). Moses numbered the people of Israel (Numbers 26:53), but Yeshua numbers the hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30)!

Yeshua is indeed a prophet like Moses, as the Scripture amply bears witness. However, He is greater than a prophet. He is the Son of the living God. Moses was a man. If we knew where God had buried him, we could find his bones. No one will ever find the bones of Yeshua since He is alive, seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for us all.

 

Suggestions For Summer Reading and Listening

The Gospel According to Moses by Athol Dickson

This is the story of a Christian man who joins a Bible study (Chever Torah) at a Reform Jewish temple and what he learns during his five year odyssey.

Thursdays with Moses by Brad Densmore

A quick and easy to read work of fiction that will leave you contemplating its jewels of wisdom for many Thursdays to come. This book will change the way you understand Israel’s wilderness trek forever.