One Greater Than Moses Is Here!

James Dennison writes:

Israel drank water out of the rock; Jesus is the fountain of living water [Jn 4.10].

Israel received bread from heaven; Jesus is the living bread [Jn 6.51].

Israel was led by a pillar of fire in the darkness; Jesus is the light of this dark world [Jn 8.12].

Israel came to the mountain where representatives of the twelve tribes went up with Moses to receive the law; Jesus goes up into a mountain with the twelve who receive the fulfilment of the law [Matt 5.1ff; it is in the sense of finality and fulfilment that the law of Christ is a 'new commandment'].

The tabernacle temple finds its embodiment in Christ — God's true Son takes human flesh, identifies with man, and pitches his tent in the midst of his people [Jn l.14; cf. 2.20-22].

The old covenant was given through the hands of a mediator; Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant [Heb 8].

The old covenant ratification at Sinai is accompanied with darkness, quaking of the earth and the loud 'voice' of the trumpet [Ex 19.16-18]; the new covenant ratification at Calvary is accompanied by darkness [Matt 27.45], quaking of the earth [Matt 27.51, 54] and the 'loud voice' of Jesus who bears the curse of the law as and for the Israel of God [Matt 27.50; cf. Gal 3.13].

The covenant at Sinai was sealed by a fellowship meal; the new covenant is sealed by a fellowship Supper [Matt 26.26-28].

Finally, notice that as the old Israel under the leadership of Joshua went up into Canaan by way of Jericho, so Jesus [Joshua] goes up to Jerusalem and the cross by way of Jericho [Lk 19.1].

Truly, a greater than Moses is here!

James Dennison, "The Exodus And The People Of God"