Exodus - 11 - Exod. 4:1-12 Moses, Messiah, and the Mirror

Moses does not want to return to Egypt and do what the Lord God wants him to do.  In this lesson we study Exod. 4:1-12 and hear Moses’ second, third, and fourth objections.  In the next lesson we will finally get to Moses’ fifth objection and it will be clear in his own words that he does not any part of this.  Would you?  

One objection Moses brings up on this lesson is he can’t speak very well; it seems Torah is implying he may have a speech problem.  It can not be proved if Moses did have a physical impairment or stuttered.  Those are only opinions.  Putting aside speculation we see Moses has an excuse but God has the answer.  What is significant about this part of the events we are studying is at this exact part of the events at the burning bush, Moses is declared God’s prophet. 

At this point I wanted to make sure we study the real definition of a prophet of God.  Today Christians say a prophet is one who foretells the future only.  I hear this over and over again on the TV or the radio where we here about the end times, the rapture, and that prophets predict the future.  This is not Biblical.  A prophet, if one studies the Bible very carefully is simply God’s spokesman, one who proclaims God’s word.   Better is to say a prophet as per the Bible is one who PROCLAIMS the words given by God or one who PREDICTS if God commands the prediction.  So a prophet will predict and foretell the future.  It is NOT their major duty as God's spokesman (or woman!). Consider the answer to the question of who or what is a prophet from Judaism 101 …

 

What is a Prophet?

(Accessed 4/18/2021 @ https://www.jewfaq.org/prophet.htm)

Many people today think of a prophet as any person who sees the future. While the gift of prophecy certainly includes the ability to see the future, a prophet is far more than just a person with that ability.

A prophet is basically a spokesman for G-d, a person chosen by G-d to speak to people on G-d's behalf and convey a message or teaching. Prophets were role models of holiness, scholarship and closeness to G-d. They set the standards for the entire community.

The Hebrew word for a prophet, navi (Nun-Beit-Yod-Alef) comes from the term niv sefatayim meaning "fruit of the lips," which emphasizes the prophet's role as a speaker.

A prophet is not necessarily a man. Scripture records the stories of seven female prophets, listed below, and the Talmud reports that Sarah's prophetic ability was superior to Abraham's.

According to some views, prophecy is not a gift that is arbitrarily conferred upon people; rather, it is the culmination of a person's spiritual and ethical development. When a person reaches a sufficient level of spiritual and ethical achievement, the Shechinah (Divine Spirit) comes to rest upon him or her. Likewise, the gift of prophecy leaves the person if that person lapses from his or her spiritual and ethical perfection.

The greatest of the prophets was Moses. It is said that Moses saw all that all of the other prophets combined saw, and more. Moses saw the whole of the Torah, including the Prophets and the Writings that were written hundreds of years later. All subsequent prophecy was merely an expression of what Moses had already seen. Thus, it is taught that nothing in the Prophets or the Writings can be in conflict with Moses' writings, because Moses saw it all in advance.

The Talmud states that the writings of the prophets will not be necessary in the World to Come, because in that day, all people will be mentally, spiritually and ethically perfect, and all will have the gift of prophecy.

So here in Exodus 4 Moses is told he will be given words to speak to Israel and to Egypt.  Moses is now a prophet.  It isn’t what Moses is but what he does that makes him a prophet.

For the most part Moses is the greatest prophet ever in the Hebrew scriptures.  However, God gives his spokesman, Moses, words to speak that are a prediction.  Moses influenced by the Lord predicts the coming of the Messiah in Deut. 18:15-18.  Messiah will be like Moses and Moses will be like the Messiah.  We have a mirror image. 

A great website to study our Jewish roots is www.Hebrew4Christians.com.  At this website one can find an awesome detailed article that the Bible relates Moses and the future Messiah.  The Jewish rabbis caught it and we learn from them.  Here’s the link to the article.  Link - click here for the article at Hebrew4Christians

In this lesson I mentioned a picture I found on the internet which is a great way to show how the Bible connects the first redeemer, Moses, to the ultimate redeemer, Messiah Jesus, to each other.  See the picture below.  The verses verifying each of the statements are easy to find and is a worthwhile task for you.

I also mentioned a vidcast available from Light of Menorah. This video lesson entitled, “The Mirror of Passover,” a video lesson going into this connection in a deeper and more complete way.  It is clear, God is saying to us that the Exodus and the Passover and the Lamb of God and the Cross are intimately connected.  We can not have one without the other.  Here’s the link to the video - click here for the video lesson, The Mirror of Passover

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background