What is your favorite parable or analogy from the Bible?

One of the challenges of teaching the Bible to a congregation is the wide range of age, experience, and education. For example, I may read a picture book to children, but have a discussion group with adults, even though I’m teaching on the same topic to both. The challenge is finding the best way to help the people to understand.

It should go without saying that God is a great teacher. He knows His students well. So, he employs many different teaching techniques to help us to understand what He is teaching. One of God’s teaching techniques is examples in history.

In our passage for today, Moses is connected to Jesus. God would be raising up another prophet like Moses.

So, what does the historical figure of Moses teach us about Jesus?

Moses was a unique prophet. What made him special?

• Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt.
• Moses was the prophet by which God entered into a covenant with Israel.
• Moses was able to enter the presence of God.
• “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” – Exodus 33:11
• Moses delivered the Word of God to the people, but differently from other prophets. Since he spoke with God face to face, he was able to ask questions and get answers.
• Moses led the people to the Promised Land.
• Moses performed miracles.

Do you see how connecting Moses to Jesus helps us to better understand Jesus?

• Jesus leads us out of the slavery of sin.
• It is through Jesus that God entered into a new covenant with us.
• Jesus was able to enter the presence of God.
• Jesus spoke to the Father and only said to the people what the Father told Him. “The word that you hear is not mine [Jesus’] but the Father’s who sent me.” – John 14:24
• Jesus leads us to the Promised Land of Heaven.
• Jesus performed many miracles.

The More You Know
There is a common saying, “Scripture interprets Scripture.” The more we read the Bible, the better we understand it. As we read about Moses, we can learn about Jesus. As we read about Israel, we can learn about ourselves.

The more we read the Bible the more we see the richness of God’s plan of salvation which was worked out over thousands of years of history and enters our lives, even now.

Heavenly Father,

Create in me a burning desire to read Your Word. As I do, open my eyes and my mind to understand Your Word, to see the many connections throughout Your Word, and to have my faith strengthened by Your Word.

Amen.