Christ, the true and better Moses, called to lead a people home
Standing bold to earthly powers, God’s great glory to be known
With his arms stretched wide to heaven, see the waters part in two
See the veil is torn forever, cleansed with blood we pass now through
Throughout the Old Testament, many individuals foreshadow Christ and His work. In the third verse of their song Christ the True and Better, songwriters Matt Boswell and Matt Papa outline how Moses pointed to a true and better One, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the scriptures that point to these encouraging truths!
Christ, the true and better Moses, called to lead a people home
Moses, raised in the palace of the Egyptian Pharoah, was called by the Lord to deliver the Israelites from captivity. In Exodus 3, the I AM appeared to Moses in a burning bush and said, “Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” Feeling unworthy and insufficient, Moses replied, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? However, through the strength he found in the Lord, Moses led the people of God to the promised land. In the book of Exodus, many moments of Moses’ weakness are seen, yet he was deemed faithful for “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25).
Similarly, but in a much better fashion, Christ was also called to lead His people home. Fully God, yet fully man, Jesus Christ came to earth and was made like us. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Moses displayed moments of imperfection as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness, especially when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as the Lord had commanded (Num. 20:11-12). Although Christ was touched with each of our infirmities and, as a man, endured temptation, He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). Through perfection found only in Him, Christ leads His people to a perfect rest! For if [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. (Heb. 4:8-10) Christ, the true and better.
Standing bold to earthly powers, God’s great glory to be known
As mentioned above, Moses was initially frightened at the thought of leading God’s people to deliverance. However, through the strength of the Lord, Moses proceeded to obey the I AM’s calling with boldness. He entered the presence of the ruler of Egypt and demanded the release of the Israelites. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Heb. 11:27) This invisible One, the I AM, motivated Moses to be bold. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Heb. 11:26)
One greater than Moses, Jesus Christ, displayed great boldness. As Moses stood up to Pharoah, Christ confronted the heretical religious leaders of His day. The Pharisees had corrupted the truth of Scripture by adding many legalistic aspects to it. Many times, Jesus called them out in their hypocrisy. These harsh and bold words came from the perfect heart of Christ who was committed to bringing glory to the Father’s name (John 17:4-6). Moses was faithful to bring glory to the Lord in much, but Christ was faithful in all. “…consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” (Heb. 3:1b-3a) Christ, the true and better.
With his arms stretched wide to heaven, see the waters part in two…
see the veil is torn forever, cleansed with blood we pass now through
Following his calling with boldness, Moses began to lead the children of Israel toward the promised land. Although Pharoah had permitted them to leave Egypt, he immediately began pursuing the band of Israelites. As the Egyptian army encroached upon God’s chosen people, Moses entreated the Lord for deliverance, and as He always does for His people, the Lord provided a way of escape. “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” (Exod. 14:21-22) The same waters that had congealed for these pilgrims, crashed down upon their enemies and destroyed them. This instance of deliverance eventually led to the children of Israel’s ultimate blessing of passing into the Promise Land.
As miraculous as the parting of the Red Sea was, it points to something far greater – the torn veil. “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matt. 27:51). The veil of the temple separated the Holy of Holies – God’s earthly dwelling place – from the rest of the temple where men were (Heb. 9:1-9). This barrier represented the separation of God and man because of man’s sin. When Christ died on the cross and atoned for the sins of His people, this veil was rent in two signifying a new relationship with God. No longer was man separated from God. Instead, any man who calls upon the name of the Lord can approach God boldly because of the work of Christ. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Heb. 10:19-23). Christ the true and better Moses!
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachel Sheppard
