What Did Moses Write About Jesus?
Moses, a pivotal figure in the Old Testament, is revered as a prophet and the giver of the Ten Commandments. While Moses did not explicitly mention Jesus by name in his writings, there are passages that are interpreted by many scholars as foreshadowing or alluding to the coming of the Messiah.
Passages in the Torah
1. The Prophecies of Jacob (Genesis 49:10)
Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, prophesied, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah... until Shiloh comes." The term "Shiloh" is often interpreted as referring to the Messiah, who would come from the tribe of Judah.
2. The Blessing of Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19)
Moses prophesied the coming of a "prophet like me" from among the Israelites. This prophet would be a mediator between God and the people and would speak God's Word. Many Christians see this as a reference to Jesus.
3. The Serpent in the Wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9)
God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it upon a pole for the Israelites to look at. Those who gazed upon it were healed from the deadly snake bites. This is interpreted by some as a foreshadowing of Jesus' crucifixion and its healing power.
4. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)
Though written by the prophet Isaiah, this passage is often associated with Moses' writings. It describes a suffering servant who bears the sins of others and is eventually vindicated. Many see this as a prophecy of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Interpretation and Significance
These passages have been interpreted by Christian scholars as allusions to Jesus' coming, suffering, and ultimate triumph. While Moses did not explicitly mention Jesus by name, his writings provide a framework for understanding the Messiah's role in God's plan of salvation.
The connections between Moses and Jesus highlight the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. They suggest that the God of the Israelites was the same God who sent Jesus as the Savior. This connection has been a key element in Christian theology, linking the Jewish and Christian faiths.
