What role does Moses play in understanding Jesus' mission in Acts 7:37? Acts 7:37 in Focus “ ‘This is the Moses who told the Israelites, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.” ’ ” (Acts 7:37) Moses as Prototype Prophet • Deuteronomy 18:15 (quoted in Acts 7:37) sets Moses up as the pattern: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” • Key parallels that mark Moses as Jesus’ forerunner: – Both are divinely sent (Exodus 3:10; John 20:21). – Both speak God’s very words (Exodus 4:12; John 12:49). – Both perform mighty signs authenticating their mission (Exodus 7:8-12; John 20:30-31). Deliverer Themes: Exodus and the Cross • Moses delivers Israel from Egypt’s bondage; Jesus delivers humanity from sin’s slavery (Romans 6:6-7). • The Red Sea crossing prefigures salvation through death-to-life (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). • Passover lamb blood on doorposts foreshadows Christ, “our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Mediator of Covenant • Moses mediates the Old Covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19); Jesus mediates the New Covenant at Calvary (Hebrews 8:6). • Moses sprinkles blood of animals (Exodus 24:8); Jesus sprinkles His own blood (Hebrews 9:12). • “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) Stephen’s Purpose in Acts 7 • Stephen shows that rejecting Jesus repeats Israel’s history of rejecting God-sent deliverers (Acts 7:35, 39). • By citing Moses’ prophecy, he presses the council: refuse Jesus, and you refuse the very figure Moses promised. • “If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” (John 5:46) Hebrews’ Clarifying Voice • “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house … but Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.” (Hebrews 3:5-6) • Moses points forward; Jesus fulfills. Practical Takeaways • Treat the Old Testament as a treasure map leading straight to Christ. • Listen to Jesus with the same seriousness Israel owed to Moses—He is the promised Prophet. • Trust the greater Deliverer: if God freed Israel with an outstretched arm, He surely secures your salvation through the cross. • Share Scripture confidently; Moses himself endorses the gospel message of Jesus. |
    |