The unique character and work of Moses is well summarized in Deuteronomy 34:10-12.
But since then there has not raised in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
No other prophet enjoyed the same kind of relationship with Jehovah. To know him “face to face” is an idiom of intimacy. No intermediary was required between the Lord and His servant, Moses. Our minds travel back to the events of Exodus 33. While Israel camped together, Moses took his tent far outside the camp and called it “the tabernacle of meeting” (Ex. 33:7). Whenever he entered the tent, “the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses” (Ex. 33:9). “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” (Ex. 33:11). Later, when Miriam and Aaron accused Moses, the Lord came to his defense by saying,
Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house, I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord… (Num. 12:6-8).
No other prophet performed “the signs and wonders” which Moses did. Jehovah sent him before Pharaoh to demonstrate His great power and superiority. Pharaoh asked “Who is the Lord” and the Lord answered clearly through plagues and parting the Red Sea. Those signs and wonders were not intended only for Pharaoh, but also for the children of Israel, that they would know Jehovah is God (Ex. 6:2-3; 10:2). From Egypt to the Wilderness to Mt. Nebo, Moses’ leadership, character, and the great things He accomplished for Jehovah are second to none on the roll call of the prophets.
Outside of the realm of the prophets, however, we must say that Moses is second only to the One he prefigured–Christ. There are a number of similarities between Moses and Jesus:
- Both had power to control the sea (Ex. 14;Mark 4:41)
- Both fed a multitude (Ex. 16:26; John 6:1-14)
- Bother were intercessors (Ex. 32:32; John 17;Heb. 7:25).
- Both were deliverers (Ex. 14; John 8:36).
- Both were law-givers (Ex. 34:27; Acts 7:44;Luke 22:20; Heb. 9:15).
But Hebrews 3:3 says of Jesus, “For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses….” Both Jesus and Moses were appointed by God, both were faithful, and both were connected with God’s house. But Moses was only part of the house while Jesus is the designer, builder, and administrator. Moses knew God, but Christ is God. Moses was a servant in the house, Jesus is the Son over the house. Therefore, He is more glorious (Heb. 3:1-6).
So we marvel at the faithfulness and accomplishments of Moses. His faith, leadership, and courage are worth noting and following. But most importantly, the greatness of Moses reminds us of, and points us to, the One who is greater–Jesus Christ.