A Prophet Like Moses

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.” ~ Hosea 11:1

Deuteronomy 18:9-18

As we think about the baby born in the manger, it is helpful to remember that Jesus is not only a king like David; He is also a servant-leader like Moses. That’s why Moses told the Israelites that the Messiah would be “a prophet like me” (Deut. 18:15,18). Jesus is like Moses in many ways, going all the way back to what happened right after each was born. Moses was born into danger because the Egyptian Pharaoh had issued an order that all newborn Hebrew boys were to be thrown into the Nile river immediately. Moses’ mother hid him for his first three months, but when he grew too large to hide she put him in a basket and let him float among the reeds. Technically she had obeyed the law since she did put him in the river. As you may remember, baby Moses was rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the Egyptian palace (Ex. 2:1-10). He was protected by God at the very heart of Egyptian power. Jesus was also born into danger. King Herod tried to take his life because he feared Jesus might take away his throne. Funnily enough, under the guidance of heaven, Jesus’ parents also took Him to Egypt to keep Him safe. In so doing God fulfilled yet one more promise/prophecy: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1) Parting thought: Moses was a fierce warrior for God who never hesitated to judge his own people for their disobedience. Yet he just as quickly offered himself as a substitute sacrifice when God wanted to pour out His wrath upon the chosen people (Ex. 32:32). Both of Moses’ character traits are seen in Christ. For more than a millennium Moses’ life and witness testified to the way God intended to keep His Messianic promises.