The article "Moses—Three Views" by Don Fortner explores the typological significance of Moses in relation to Christ, outlining his role as a pre-eminent type of the Savior. It argues that Moses had a unique understanding of his typological significance, serving both as a prophet and mediator while exemplifying characteristics of meekness and courage. Key Scripture references include Hebrews 11:24-27, which highlights Moses’ faith and choices, and Deuteronomy 18:15-18, which alludes to his prophetic role. The significance of this typology is underscored by the idea that while Moses represents the law, he could not lead Israel into the promised land, pointing to the fact that salvation cannot come through the law but through faith in Christ alone. Fortner emphasizes Moses' faith as an instructive model for believers, urging them to persist in faith through divine revelation.
Key Quotes
“Moses was pre-eminently a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“He was a mediator between God and his people.”
“Salvation cannot come by law.”
“It is only as we see him by divine revelation that we can have faith and walk in faith.”
What does the Bible say about Moses as a type of Christ?
The Bible indicates that Moses was a significant type of Christ, embodying priestly characteristics and mediating between God and His people.
Hebrews 11:24-27, Deuteronomy 18:15-18
How do we know Moses' faith was genuine?
Moses' faith is evidenced by his choices to align with God's people over worldly pleasures, as detailed in Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:24-27
Why is Moses important for Christians today?
Moses serves as a powerful example of faith, obedience, and mediatorship, pointing towards Christ's work.
Hebrews 11:24-27
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. of Christ...: Or, for Christ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. - Hebrews 11:24-27Moses—Three Views
Moses was pre-eminently a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, he seems to have known that he was specifically raised up by God as a type of his coming Savior. This is not commonly the case. I do not know of another example. Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joshua, Boaz, David, Solomon, Hosea, and Jeremiah were all typical of the Lord Jesus; but there is no indication that they knew it. Moses, on the other hand, seems to have known his typical significance (Deut. 18:15-18).
Moses as a Type of Christ
Not only was he typical of Christ as our great Prophet, by whom God makes himself known to, teaches, and directs his people in this world, Moses was typical of our great Savior in many ways.
•He was the meekest man in the earth.
•Yet, never was there a man more courageous and bold.
•For the sake of his people and the glory of his God, Moses hazarded everything.
•He delivered Israel from Pharaoh and from Egypt at the time appointed by God.
•Moses was a mediator between God and his people.
•He was, while he walked on the earth, the only man by whom God spoke to men.
•He led the chosen nation through the wilderness to Canaan.
Moses as a Type of the Law
Yet, he could not bring Israel into Canaan, the land of their promised rest and inheritance (typical of heaven), because he also represented the law. As a type of the law and justice of God, there are three specific things to be seen in Moses’ actions and in his death.
•He smote the rock out of which flowed the water of life in the wilderness of death; “and that Rock was Christ.”
•He smote the rock a second time and died because of it. – The law, having once smitten Christ, is dead!
•He could not enter into the land of Canaan with Israel, because salvation cannot come by law (Rom. 8:4).
Moses as a Man of Great Faith
Still, this man, Moses, was a man of great faith. As such he is held before us as an example to follow in Hebrews 11:24-27. In verse 23, we read of the faith of Moses’ parents in hiding him. In these four verses the Holy Spirit describes Moses’ own faith in Christ.
It was seeing the invisible God, seeing him by the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Christ, that gave Moses’ faith and sustained him in faith. And it is only as we see him by divine revelation that we can have faith and walk in faith.
Here are seven specific things the Holy Spirit tells us about Moses and his faith, by which he instructs us in this matter of faith.
•“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.”
•He chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
•Moses esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.”
•He did so because “he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”
•“By faith he forsook Egypt.”
•He forsook Egypt, “not fearing the wrath of the king.”
•He did not fear Pharaoh’s wrath “for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
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