“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Deuteronomy 34:10
At the end of the book of Deuteronomy, we are told after Moses died that “there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” There had never been a prophet like Moses who had a unique relationship with God (“whom the Lord knew face to face”) and through whom God performed “all the signs and wonders…in the land of Egypt” (34:10-12) until Jesus Christ came to earth. Many who have studied Moses’ life have observed several similarities between Moses and Jesus Christ, including (taken from Dr. Tom Constable’s Notes on Deuteronomy 2015 Edition, pp. 127-128):
1. Both men were divinely chosen deliverers (Exod. 3:7-10; John 3:16; Acts 7:25).
2. Both were born into a godly home at a difficult time in Jewish history (Exod. 1:15—2:10; Matt. 2:1-12).
3. Both of their lives were threatened when they were infants (Exod. 1:22; Matt. 2:16).
4. Both were protected in Egypt (Exod. 2:1-10; Matt. 2:13-15). Both gave up wealth to benefit others (Heb. 11:24-26; Phil. 2:6-8).
5. Both experienced rejection by Israel initially and so turned to the Gentiles (Exod. 2:11-15; Acts 7:23-29; 18:5-6; cf. Acts 28:17-28).
6. Both gained a bride during their rejection by Israel (Exod. 2:16-21; Matt. 12:14-21; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:30-32).
7. Following his period of rejection, Moses again appeared as Israel’s deliverer and was accepted, as Jesus will be (Exod. 4:29-31; Zech. 12:10—13:1; Rom. 11:24-26; cf. Acts 7:23-36; 15:14-17).
8. Both did mighty signs and wonders (miracles; Deut. 34:11-12; Matt. 4:23).
9. Both were servants of the Lord (Deut. 34:5; Isa. 53).
10. Both were prophets (Acts 3:22-23), advocates (Exod. 32:31-35; 1 John 2:1-2), intercessors (Exod. 17:1-6; Heb. 7:25), and leaders or kings (Deut 33:4-5; Isa. 55:4; Heb. 2:10; Rev. 19). Both were meek men (Num. 12:3; Matt. 11:28-30).
11. Both were mighty in word and deed (Acts 7:22; Luke 24:19).
12. Both experienced glorious transformation—Moses’ face, and Jesus’ entire person (Exod. 34:29- 30; Matt. 17:2).
13. Both enjoyed an intimate relationship with God (Deut. 34:10; John 17).
14. Moses was faithful as a servant over another’s house, whereas Christ is faithful as a Son over His own house (Heb. 3:5-6).
15. Both finished the work that God gave them to do (Exod. 39:42-43; 40:33; John 17:4).
16. Both went to heaven after dying (Deut. 34:5-6; Acts 1:9).
17. Both left trained successors behind who continued their work (Joshua, and the apostles). 18. However, Moses sinned (Num. 20:11), but Jesus did not (1 Pet. 2:21-24) because Jesus is fully God and fully Man (John 1:1, 14)!
Praise God for Moses who was a foreshadowing of the greatest Person to ever live – Jesus Christ! Let’s worship Jesus and make Him known to a lost world (Mark 16:15)!