Some New Testament References

by F.L. Evans, Yeovil | Category: Moses A Man Of God | Nov 1975

If we had no Old Testament it would still be possible to construct a reasonably full account of the chronological events and the important characteristics of the life of Moses from the New Testament. There are almost sixty references to him, about half in the Gospels, the rest spread through the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, with one in the Revelation. The ground covers the period from his birth to his death and burial, with a possible glimpse of the future. The three forty-year phases of his life are dealt with, and various outstanding incidents are referred to in some detail. Space does not permit a consideration of many references, so it becomes necessary to select a few of them. Thus we propose to confine this article to specific exposition of some references in the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The faith of his parents

Moses, "when he was born", was cradled in the faith of his godly parents. "They saw he was a goodly (AV proper) child". They apparently associated something with the child which caused them to feel that it was God's purpose to preserve and use him. It has even been suggested that they possibly had some divine revelation or word to rest on, which marked out the child as one through whom God designed to do a great work. Their resultant faith caused them to hide the child for three months. Their faith triumphed over any fear they had - "they were not afraid of the king's commandment". They endangered their own lives to preserve the life of their child (Heb. 11:23).

The choice of faith

This example of personal parental faith found an answering response in their son, "when he was grown up". When he was ripe for mature deliberation, he was called on to make the vital decision. On the one hand, the princely status of a son of the daughter of the royal house of Pharaoh, with the remote possibility of eventually succeeding to the throne of Egypt. A life of enjoyment of all that Egypt had to offer in the way of treasures and pleasures, with the challenge of Egypt's progressive civilization and regal opportunity. On the other hand, identification with his own people, the Hebrews, a race of slaves. A life of suffering and self-denial, sharing their hardships and reproach. But a life with and for the people of God, with a divinely ordained destiny.

Moses was called to make this choice when he was forty years old, at a time when his powers of mind and body were fully developed. He had grown ripe for enjoyment, and at an age when he was capable of relishing material luxuries and the pleasant benefits which the world had to offer. It was no hasty impulse which guided him. But for him in these circumstances the pleasures of the world and the treasures of the court were 'the pleasures of sin". He refused them. He deliberately preferred to be known publicly as one with "the people of God". He would not undervalue this true honour. These people might be a race of slaves, but to his faith they were God's chosen, "an elect race". The almighty God had

His purposes for them and for him.

What strengthened Moses in making his important and far-reaching decision? His faith in the Living God. And what motivated him? "He looked unto the recompense of reward". His eyes were turned away from the short-lived comfort and luxury: they were fixed on the eternal recompense (Heb. 11:24-26).

Faith in the Invisible

In the pathway of faith one decision often leads on to others. Moses had made his choice - to involve himself with the people of God and to suffer evil treatment. It meant leaving his mother by adoption, and setting his back on the Egyptian court. But where was he to go? He could hardly expect any of the Hebrew slaves to hide him successfully. Could he conceal himself in the tawny-yellow desert lands flanking the river Nile or in the broad delta plains? Dare he leave the country entirely, so adding insult to injury, thus incurring the king's greater antagonism? Yes, this must be his course. "By faith he forsook Egypt: not fearing the wrath of the king". Dire consequences were likely to overtake him if he should be caught after leaving Egypt in defiance of Pharaoh.

He had resolved to play his part with the oppressed Israelites, which he could not have done satisfactorily if he had decided to remain. This motive constituted his act of faith, "for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible". His dealings were with God alone, who though invisible to his bodily eyes was ever before his "eyes of faith" (Heb. 11:27).

The Vision of Faith

The next step of faith in the life of Moses taken up by the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 11 is of rather a different nature yet a vital link in the chain. "By faith he kept (instituted) the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them" (v.28).

By this time Moses was quite aware of the role he was expected by God to fulfil in His purposes for His people. God had promised that the destroyer would pass over and not touch the occupiers of the blood-sprinkled houses. Moses believed God and rested on the promise. As Calvin wrote, "He acquiesced in the bare word of God where the thing itself was not apparent". His faith also helped the people to believe beforehand in the certainty of divine judgement upon the firstborn of Egypt and of divine shelter for Israel complying with the appointed provision of the sprinkled blood. But his faith went further than that.

Of the Passover, the LORD had said, "Ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD: throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever" (Exod. 12:14). Moses again believed God and "instituted" the feast. Is it too much to suggest that faith's vision which Moses saw for his enslaved people was of a free. united and obedient people, established in a national home, regularly keeping the Passover for centuries to come? They would remember their emancipation from Egypt and their divine Emancipator in the manner of his instituting. Fifteen centuries later, the Messiah Himself was to say, "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15). It was on this occasion that the Lord Jesus instituted a different memorial for His New Testament people when He said, "This do in remembrance of Me".

Moses and Faithfulness

The true man of faith becomes a faithful man. The two Greek words are from the same root. The person who truly believes or has a firm persuasion becomes one on whom reliance can be placed. He is worthy of trust or trustworthy and reliable. This was true of Moses - in all God's house he was faithful to God who appointed him as His servant. "My servant Moses... is faithful in all Mine house" (Num. 12:7). This was not man's testimony but that of the all-seeing and almighty God. It was and still is the witness of the only One who had complete knowledge of Moses - his character, his motives and his actions. A wonderful testimony indeed! It was spoken at the door of "the tent of meeting".

The earlier word to Moses had been emphatic and clear.

"Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it" (Exod. 25:8,9).

There was to be no introduction by Moses of any of his own ideas based on a close connection with the constructions and traditions of Egypt. Neither were there to be any modifications according to his own personal whims. The pattern had been shown him in the Mount. The actual construction of the Tabernacle and all its contents was faithfully executed under Moses' supervision according to God's pattern. Its erection and the detailed arrangements for its consecration, also administrative arrangements connected with the High Priest and the supporting priests, with their consecration - everything was done "as the LORD commanded Moses". With this faithfulness the great Jehovah God was so satisfied that "the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exod. 40:34). This was an outstanding day in the life of Moses and the people of God. The day of fulfilled desire on the part of the LORD God when He in His glory had actually come to dwell among His people. It was also a day of triumph of faith and faithfulness on the part of Moses, His meek and honoured servant.

"For Moses: he forsook the land Where wealth and power were in his hand:

By faith the passover he kept, Led Israel forth while Rahab wept:

We give Thee thanks."

F.L. Evans, Yeovil | Nov 1975
Moses A Man Of God