Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5103 Moses, significance of
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5103 Moses, significance of

5103 Moses, significance of

Moses performed a number of major roles in the history of Israel. Many of these roles later found their perfection in Jesus Christ.

The roles of Moses

As teacher Ex 18:20; Mt 23:10; Jn 1:38

As intercessor Ex 17:11; Ex 32:11; Nu 12:13; Nu 21:7; Ps 106:23; Jn 17:9; Heb 7:25

As servant of the Lord Jos 1:1-2; 2Ch 24:6; Ac 3:13; Heb 3:5; Rev 15:3

As prophet Nu 12:6-8; Dt 18:15; Dt 34:10; Ac 3:22

As deliverer Ex 3:10; Ac 7:35; Gal 5:1

As judge Ex 18:13

As writer Ex 24:4; Dt 31:9; Lk 24:27; Jn 1:45; Jn 5:46

As shepherd Ex 3:1; Ps 77:20; Jn 10:11

As the friend of God Ex 33:11 See also Ex 33:17; Mt 17:5; Jn 5:20

As the mediator of the law and the covenant Ex 19:5-6; Dt 6:1-3; Dt 31:9; Jos 23:6; 2Ki 18:12; Gal 3:19; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24

Characteristics of Moses

He was a man of faith Ex 14:13-14; Heb 11:24-28

He was not eloquent Ex 4:10

He understood that the law meant life Dt 32:46-47 See also Mt 5:17-19; Mt 19:17; Ac 7:38

He was passionate in his defence of the Lord’s holiness Ex 32:19; Nu 16:30; Lk 19:45-46

He worked miracles that brought glory to God Ex 14:15-18; Jn 2:11

Institutions established by Moses

He fathers, and is identified with, the Judaic legal system Jos 1:7-8; 1Ki 2:3; Ezr 3:2; Ne 13:1; Jn 5:45; Jn 7:23; 1Co 9:9

He inaugurates the ritual slaughter of the Passover lamb Ex 12:21 See also Jn 1:29

He sprinkles the people with the blood of the covenant Ex 24:8; Lev 17:11; Mt 26:28; Heb 9:13-14; Heb 11:28

He orders the atonement sacrifice Nu 16:46; Ro 3:25

Moses enters the glory of the Lord

Ex 24:17-18; Ex 34:29; Mt 17:2; 2Co 3:7; Rev 15:3-4

Moses present at the transfiguration

Mk 9:4 pp Mt 17:3 pp Lk 9:30

Jesus Christ is superior to Moses

See also Heb 3:3,5-6

See also

1045God, glory of
2321Christ as redeemer
2327Christ as servant
2330Christ as shepherd
2360Christ, prayers of
2580Christ, transfiguration
5378law, OT
6614atonement
7314blood
7474Tent of Meeting
8122friendship with God

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