In the previous article in the series, I examined Joseph As A Type of Christ. I first explained what a type is by offering a definition. In this article, we will examine another human type; Moses. His story begins in Exodus 2. Now before his birth, the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. The narrative tells us they grew and multiplied exceedingly. This became a cause of apprehension for a new king over Egypt who we are told in Scripture did not know Joseph. He feared that the Israelites may join forces with their enemies should war break out. To nip the situation in the bud, he subjected the Israelites to slavery. Despite, we are told the Israelites grew and increased the more. The king stepped up his terror with widespread infanticide. Every male child born to the Israelite was to be killed (Exodus 1:8-16).
Reading these events with hindsight, it was an unfolding of God’s redemptive plan spoken to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). God’s sovereignty was at work. In the midst of the oppression, Moses was born. As a male child, his parents hid him for three months to prevent him from been killed. After a while, it became impossible to hide him again. I guess that has to do with the crying of babies. If your neighbour has a baby, that baby cannot be hidden no matter how one tries. Mose’s mother and sister hatched a plan which eventually landed Moses in the palace as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:1-10).
Before I proceed, let me point out that caution must be exercised not to see a typology where there is none. That means we must only see types where there are types indeed. With that in mind, Moses as a type of Christ is a biblical exercise and not my own imaginations. Scripture indeed points to Moses as a type of Christ. Deuteronomy 18:15; 17-19; Hebrews 3:1-2). We will now examine how Moses is a type of Christ.
Moses Was Born Under Bondage
At the time of his birth, the people of God were in bondage and oppression. Egypt itself is metaphorically depicted in Scripture as a type of the world and of sin (Hebrews 3:14-4:11). The bondage in Egypt is akin to the believer living in the world of sin. The point then is that Moses was born into a world of bondage. This equally is true of Jesus Christ. He was born into a world of sin and bondage of God’s people (Luke 24:21; Acts 1:6).
Also, events surrounding Moses’ birth repeated itself when Christ was born (Matthew 2:16-18); namely, the infanticide of Exodus. However, by divine providence, Moses was saved in no other place, but in Egypt. And just like Moses, Jesus was saved alive as a baby in no other place but in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
Moses As A Deliverer
If God’s people are under bondage, then a deliverer is needed. Moses was the deliverer sent to deliver Israel from bondage: “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10). Long before God had appeared to Moses in the burning bush, it was evident Moses had a sense of “calling” as a deliverer of Israel (Exodus 2:11-13; Acts 7:22-26). As a deliverer of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, Moses is a type of Christ who delivers God’s people from their sins (Matthew 1:21; Luke 4:17-21; Galatians 4:3-5).
Moses As A Shepherd
At the time of his call; Moses was a shepherd. The Scripture tells us he led a flock (Exodus 3:1). Obviously, a shepherd leads and feeds his flock. In Christ, we also see a Shepherd who leads and feeds his flock. Jesus is the good Shepherd who leads his flock (John 10:11-14). Like Moses, Jesus is also the Good Shepherd who fights off the enemy.
Moses A Mediator Of A Covenant
In Christianity, there are two covenants. The Old and The New. Both these covenants are between God and humanity. Also, they are covenants mediated by humans. Moses stands as the mediator of the Old Covenant. Through Moses, Laws were given to govern God’s people. We can point to the Moral Law, Ceremonial Laws, Civil Laws etc. In these, Moses served as a mediator between God and humans. At the feet of Mount Sinai, the Israelites pleaded that God shouldn’t speak to them directly. They asked for a mediator (Exodus 20:18-22). Just as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant of laws; Jesus Christ is the Mediator of a New Covenant— a better Covenant. A covenant sealed with his own blood. Moses was a mediator of the covenant of works. Christ is the mediator of the covenant of grace which gives sinners access to God through faith (John 1:17; 13:34; Mark 14:24; Hebrews 4:14).
Moses Was Sent With Signs And Wonders
The similarity between the call of Moses and the ministry of Jesus Christ was that their ministries were accompanied by signs and wonders. In Exodus 2:20 told Moses he will stretch out his hand and strike Egypt with wonders. And in the Exodus narrative, we see how God worked wonders in the ministry of Moses. The 10 plagues brought upon the Egyptians are perhaps the most common and popular in the ministry of Moses. Now speaking about Jesus’ earthly ministry, we are told God worked many mighty works and wonders and signs through him (Acts 2:22-23).
Moses Left The Palace of Glory
The Hebrew writer tells us Moses left the palaces of riches of Egypt to live among his brethren (Hebrews 11:24-26). This is also a striking analogy to Christ leaving the place of glory to come and live among men. The Kenosis of Christ points to him humbling himself and leaving a place of glory to dwell among his people ( John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-8).
There are in fact in the life of Moses many pointers to the ministry of Christ. But of most importance here is the fact that, just like Moses, Jesus Christ was sent out to be a deliverer of sinners. All humans are born into sin and separated from God. And Christ has been set forth as God’s way of salvation. Christ leads sinners out of the bondage of sin.
Grace and Truth 