Moses and the Christmas story do not seem to fit in our
picture of the nativity. But the parallels we find in the
birth of these two figures will shock you. I guess for
followers of Yeshua this shouldn't be such a shock as
Moses foretold in Deuteronomy eighteen that the greater
prophet like him would arise. In Acts three twenty-two Peter
stood up and quoted these same verses is taught about Yeshua
himself. You'll find a here and in the description of more of
these parallels. But let's focus on the Christmas story.
Right before Moses was born Pharaoh killed all the baby
boys. Herod a new pharaoh killed all the boys in the area
of Bethlehem after hearing the prophecy of this deliverer. God
divinely protected both of these children. Just like the
Hebrew midwives rebelled against Pharaoh's decree to
kill the male babies. So the Magi feared God and rebelled
against Herod's order to inform them of where the promised king
was. Soon after their birth narratives, Moses and Yeshua
had to flee from a ruler who intended to kill them. Moses
was placed in a basket and laid in the Nile River. Moses fled
away from Pharaoh to Mideon. Yeshua had to flee away from
Herod to Egypt. The parallels go on and on. Joseph and Mary
waited in exile until God appeared in a dream. He said
"get up take the mother and go to the land of Israel. For
those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." This
is almost the exact parallel of Exodus four nineteen. When God
said to Moses go return to Egypt for all the men who
sought your life are dead. There are also a number of
ancient Jewish traditions about Moses that parallels the birth
of Yeshua as well. In the Rabbinic commentary on Exodus
Pharaoh is first informed of the impending birth of a redeemer
by his astrologers. This bears a striking resemblance to the
Magi's announcement informing King Herod as they were
Babylonian astrologers. We read in Matthew. After Jesus was
born in Bethlehem and Judea. During the time of King Herod
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked where is
the one who has been born? King of the Jews. We saw his star
when it rose and have come to worship him. When King Herod
heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. The
ancient historian wrote about how Pharaoh was warned of the
birth of Israel's redeemer by one of his counselors. This
bears striking resemblance to what Herod did after meeting
the Magi. As we read in Matthew chapter two. When he called
together the people's chief priests and teachers of the law
he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. In Bethlehem in
Judea they replied for this is what the prophet has written.
But you Bethlehem in the land of Judah are by no means least
among the rules of Judah. For out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel. In both instances these
prophecies gave crucial intel to our enemy. It's almost as
God was gloating over the world leaders. Hiding the in plain sight.
To me it speaks volumes. When I read about the hand of
God in Jewish history and it fills me with great peace that
my God is in full control. Imagine the fear and grief in
Jochebed and Miriam's hearts as they watched Moses drifting away.
Never could they have ever imagined what God would do through this
baby boy. Can you imagine the feeling Joseph had as he went
house to house and found no room for his wife who was in
active labor? It an extremely hopeless situation. I am sure
Mary and Joseph felt the same. But unlike Yohevet (Jochebed) they had the angelic
word that this baby boy was the savior of the world. No pressure!
As we come to this season and remember what God
did for us 2000 years ago, we can look back at the birth of
Moses and the birth of our savior, the Messiah Yeshua and
see how these seemingly hopeless moments were
intentionally woven together to showcase God's sovereign hand
at work in history. Trials were turned into powerful testimony.
And I can see in my own life. The same effect how seemingly
hopeless situations were used for God's glory. So as we
reflect on the story of God's greatest gift. Let us also
remember all the times our heavenly father worked for good
in our own lives. God used weakness to display his great
strength. The shame of a lowly birth to reflect his glory.
Moses and Yeshua were both born at times of great peril to our
people. But God used these Hebrew babies to become deliverers of
his people. But there is one very important difference.
Moses came to deliver one nation from bondage of slavery
to another nation. Yeshua came to deliver all nations from the
bondage of sin, and his followers now circle the globe.
So this Christmas season we can look back at God's faithfulness
and celebrate with joy what God has done for us and know that
no matter how hopeless our situation may be God is in
control. May the light of Messiah fill your heart in this
season as we thank God for the greatest gift he has ever given us.