Like Unto Me: Moses as a Type of Christ

There can be no doubt that Moses is a picture of Jesus Christ.  Deuteronomy 18:15
 says, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, LIKE UNTO ME; unto him ye shall hearken;” (emphasis added).  The following is a list of some of the ways in which Moses is a type or picture of Jesus Christ.  Although this is not an exhaustive list, it does include 40 different ways in which Moses typifies Christ.  This list, then, is designed for the benefit of Bible students to think about the ways in which Moses and Christ are alike.

1. Both were born at a time when Israel was under foreign domination (Moses – Egyptian bondage & Jesus – Roman bondage)
2. Both had rulers that tried to kill them shortly after their births (Exodus 1:15-22; Matthew 2:16-18)
3. Both spent time in the wilderness before taking on their callings (Exodus 3; Matthew 4:1-11)
4. Both dealt with wicked kings (Pharaoh – Exodus 5-12; Herod – Luke 13:31-32)
5. Both dealt with folks who hardened their hearts (Exodus 8:15; Mark 6:45-52)
6. Both dealt with lepers (Numbers 12:10-15; Matthew 8:1-4)
7. Both had the world offered to them (Hebrews 11:24-27; Matthew 4:8-9)
8. Both were shepherds (Exodus 3:1; John 10:11)
9. Both fasted for 40 days (Exodus 34:28; Luke 4:2)
10. Both climbed mountains (Exodus 34; Matthew 5:1)
11. Both were meek (Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29; Matthew 21:5)
12. Both were envied (Psalm 106:16; Matthew 27:18)
13. Both did some writing (Exodus 34:27; John 8:6-8)
14. Both have a connection to the law – Moses, humanly speaking, wrote the law, but Jesus Christ fulfilled the law (Deuteronomy 31:9; Matthew 5:17)
15. Both kept the Passover (Exodus 12; Hebrews 11:28; Luke 22:11; Matthew 26:17-19)
16. Both had a connection to innocent blood (Deuteronomy 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 21:7-9; Matthew 27:3-4)
17. Both sang (Exodus 15:1; Matthew 26:30)
18. Both had ministries to the nation of Israel (Exodus 3:1-10; Matthew 15:21-28)
19. Both did miraculous things (no references needed)
20. Both did miraculous things to/on large bodies of water (Exodus 7:20; Exodus 14:16, 27; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 6:45-51)
21. Both fed hungry people in a wilderness (Exodus 16; Mark 8:1-9)
22. Both provided water for thirsty people (Exodus 15:22-25; John 4:10,14)
23. Both spoke of future tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Matthew 24:21-22)
24. Both spoke of eternal fire (Leviticus 6:12-13; Matthew 25:40-41)
25. Both paid tribute (Numbers 31:41; Matthew 17:24-27)
26. Both sent out 12 men (Numbers 13; Luke 9:1-6)
27. Both were called God’s servants – “my servant” (Numbers 12:7; Matthew 12:14-21)
28. Both were prophets (Deuteronomy 34:10; John 6:14)
29. Both were priests (Exodus 40; Hebrews 4:14)
30. Both were kings (Deuteronomy 33:4-5; John 18:33-40)
31. Both were judges (Exodus 18:13; John 5:24-30)
32. Both were teachers (Deuteronomy 4:5; John 18:20)
33. Both told wicked men to depart (Numbers 16:26; Matthew 25:41)
34. Both met together on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9)
35. Both are connected through the brasen serpent (Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14)
36. Both had outstretched arms with 2 men beside them, and in both cases there was a war going on (Exodus 17:8-16; Matthew 27:38).  In Moses’ case, it was a physical war with Amalek.  In Christ’s case, it was a spiritual war with the devil (Isaiah 50:8  in the context of the crucifixion).
37. Both had people weep when they died (Deuteronomy 34:8; John 20:11)
38. Both died but did not stay in their burial places (Deuteronomy 34:5-6; Jude 9; Matthew 17:1-9; Matthew 28)
39. Both were the subject of controversies concerning their dead bodies (Jude 9; Matthew 28:11-15)
40. Both had important “dignitaries” interested in their dead bodies (Michael & the devil – Jude 9; the Pharisees, the Roman soldiers, and Pilate – Matthew 27:62-65; Mark 15:43-45)

Karl Lohman