Moses and Jesus: Connecting the Old and New Testaments
Years ago, as I attempted to read through the Bible for the first time, I reached out to an older friend for help. Some of the Old Testament narratives were hard to read. My friend helped me see that the entire Bible points to our need for Jesus. Today, we’ll talk about the connections between Moses and Jesus as we study the Bible.
We’ll look at the subtle ways Moses and Jesus are connected. We’ll also explore the ways Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises as he established a New Covenant with all God’s people.
I invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook with dozens of devotions to help you see how the Old Testament points to Jesus.
Let’s specifically look at Moses and Jesus today.
Moses and Jesus: Connecting the Old and New Testaments
In many ways, Moses points to Jesus. Here are some of the most noteworthy connections.
Moses and Jesus: God’s Plan Fulfilled
Let’s look at the ways Moses and Jesus’ lives are related.
Moses and Jesus both fulfilled the role of delivering God’s people.
Moses delivered the Hebrews from Egypt after nearly four centuries of enslavement under Pharaoh.
Jesus delivers all who call on his name from slavery to sin. Matthew 1:21 reads, “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (NASB).
Moses and Jesus were both threatened at birth.
Moses’ story is found in Exodus 1-2. When Pharaoh ordered the execution of all baby boys, Moses’ parents hid him for three months. When he was too old to conceal, they placed him in a basket and put it in some reeds in the Nile River, where Pharaoh’s daughter found him.
Jesus’ birth is described in Matthew 2. Herod had commanded the deaths of all baby boys because he was threatened by the idea of a King who could dethrone him. For this reason, Jesus’ parents traveled to Egypt when he was a baby and hid with him for two years.
Moses and Jesus were both called out of Egypt.
God called Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved by Pharaoh.
As a child, Jesus and his parents emerged from Egypt after Jesus’ parents went there to escape Herod’s slaughter of all baby boys. Hosea prophesied that the Messiah would come out of Egypt.
Water marked the start of the ministry for both Moses and Jesus.
Moses led the people through the Red Sea as they escaped Egypt (Exodus 14).
Jesus’ public ministry began with his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew 3).
Moses and Jesus both experienced “40 in the wilderness.”
Moess led the Hebrew people for 40 years in the wilderness. He also spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving God’s instructions for worship.
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit for 40 days of tempting by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
Moses and Jesus both shared important connections to the Law.
Moses received God’s Law, the 10 Commandments, on stone tablets and presented it to the people (Exodus 19-20).
Jesus fulfilled the Law when he paid the price for the sins of all who would receive him. Jesus also went deeper as he taught that the Law was about more than following rules. It was about changed hearts (Matthew 5-7).
Moses and Jesus were both mediators between God and humankind.
Moses interceded for the sins of the people, talking to God on their behalf.
Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant between humankind and God (1 Timothy 2:5). Because of Jesus, all followers can boldly approach God’s throne in prayer.
Moses and Jesus both fed God’s people.
Through Moses, manna fell from heaven to feed God’s people (Exodus 16).
Jesus described himself as the Bread of Life, stating that anyone who follows him will never go hungry (John 6).
Moses and Jesus were both instrumental in covenants with God through blood.
Moses sealed the Old Covenant, under which animals were sacrificed to pay for sins, with blood (Exodus 24).
Jesus established the New Covenant through his blood (Luke 22:20).
Moses and Jesus lead seekers toward the Promised Land.
Moses never entered the Promised Land because he disobeyed God by striking the rock when God told him to speak to it (Numbers 20:7-12). Nevertheless, he led God’s people to the brink of this land through 40 years in the wilderness.
Moses’ example symbolizes an important truth: The Law cannot bring us into the Promised Land (John 1:17).
Only Jesus can lead us into the life of freedom and promise. We cannot earn our way; rather, we receive Jesus as the Savior of our lives, and he makes the way for us.
Final Thoughts on Moses and Jesus
Moses typified Jesus, preparing the way and showing humanity’s need for a Savior. Jesus came to fulfill what Moses’ leadership could never do for us. By receiving Jesus’ forgiveness and asking him to lead our lives, we find salvation through him.
Many people claim to believe in Jesus but never live for him. The Bible says that even the demons believe Jesus is Lord. But they don’t worship or follow him.
Believing Jesus is God’s Son is a good place to start on the journey of faith, but there is so much more.
Jesus wants to more than a distant deity we “believe in.” He wants to come into our lives and transform us from the inside out. He wants to heal us, deliver us, restore us, and set us free. Have you turned to Jesus for healing and deliverance?
Jesus wants to more than a distant deity we “believe in.” He wants to come into our lives and transform us from the inside out. #Jesus #faith #trust Share on X~~~
If these connections between Moses and Jesus blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free devotionals and eBooks below. May the love of Christ capture your heart and change your life forever!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
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God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Apply the Old Testament to Your Life Today
Do you want to learn how to read the Old Testament and apply it to the challenges you face in your everyday life? In 30 devotions, my free devotional eBook, Timeless, will help you grow in God’s Word while applying it to your life.
You’ll also learn how the entire Bible points to Jesus as we unpack fascinating symbolism linking the Old Testament to Christ. Download it for free with promo code JESUS here or consider offering a $4.99 donation to support this ministry.
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