05 Jesus and Moses

14 hours ago

3 min read

A Guided Study

Article artwork created with ChatGPT - Concept and art direction by Steve Ellis

by: Steve Ellis

Main Truth

Moses was faithful in God's house. Jesus is the Son over God's house. And we are his house.

Introduction

Throughout Hebrews, the Preacher draws from Israel's Scriptures to help us understand Jesus, who suffered, died, was raised, and is now exalted at God's right hand.

Hebrews 1:1–2 — God Has Spoken

God spoke through the prophets throughout Israel's history. Now he has spoken through his Son.

Hebrews 1:4–2:4 — The Son and the Angels

Jesus is the Son, exalted at God's right hand. We are called to pay careful attention to what God has spoken through him.

Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8:3–8 — God's Purpose for Humanity

Humanity was created in God's image and entrusted with responsibility within creation.

Hebrews 2:5–18 — But We See Jesus

Jesus entered fully into our humanity, experienced suffering and death, and opened the way for humanity to share in the life God intended.

Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus

Hebrews 3:1–2

The Preacher calls believers to consider Jesus carefully in light of everything he has accomplished.

Jesus is described as our apostle and high priest.

As apostle, Jesus is God's representative to us. As high priest, he represents us before God.

Jesus was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in God's house.

Moses Was Faithful in God's House

Numbers 12:1–8

Additional passages: Exodus 3; 19–20; 25:8

God called Moses to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

At Mount Sinai, Moses served as mediator of God's covenant with Israel.

Through Moses, God instructed Israel concerning the tabernacle and his presence among them.

In Numbers 12, God affirmed Moses' unique responsibility and faithfulness.

God's house refers to his household, the people who belong to him.

Jesus Is Worthy of Greater Honor

Hebrews 3:3–6

The Preacher compares the honor given to a house with the greater honor given to its builder.

Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house.

Jesus is faithful as the Son over God's house.

The distinction is not between an unfaithful Moses and a faithful Jesus. Both are described as faithful, but their roles are different.

Moses' ministry pointed forward to what God would accomplish through his Son.

Jesus brings God's continuing work of redemption to fulfillment.

We Are God's House

Hebrews 3:6

Through Jesus, God's covenant purposes continue to unfold.

Those who belong to Christ are welcomed into God's household.

We are participants in the work God is accomplishing through Jesus.

Our confidence and hope rest in Jesus, our merciful and faithful high priest.

The Preacher encourages us to hold firmly to that confidence and hope.

Crossing The Context

The Preacher invites us to fix our thoughts on Jesus.

Jesus is the Son through whom God has spoken. He entered fully into our humanity, suffered, overcame death, and is now exalted at God's right hand.

Moses faithfully served within God's unfolding work of redemption. Jesus brings that story to fulfillment.

Moses was faithful in God's house. Jesus is the Son over God's house. And we are his house.

Let us continue to fix our thoughts on Jesus and hold firmly to the hope we have in him.

For Further Study

Primary Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1–3; 2:5–18; 3:1–6; Numbers 12:1–8; Exodus 3; 19–20; 25:8; Psalm 8:4–6.

John Mark Hicks: Studies and commentary on Hebrews.

BibleProject: Overview of Hebrews; Moses and the Exodus.

N. T. Wright: Hebrews for Everyone.

Scripture Acknowledgement