Gospel According to Moses

We are familiar with the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the first four books of the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an overarching theme that runs through the books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Thus, the inaugural of the Gospel is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, authored by Moses. God presented the Gospel, or the Good news right in the beginning to Adam and Eve after their Fall. In Genesis 3:15 (NIV), God cursed Satan saying, “…He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel,” introducing a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ and His victory over Satan and death. From here on, there are numerous prophecies concerning Christ, His incarnation, death, burial, resurrection, and also His second coming. Gospel according to Moses is a selection of verses within the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, that foreshadows Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Starting with Genesis, let’s explore the Gospel according to Moses.

Genesis: Crown of Thorns – The Condition of Man

Nations around the world have plants and flowers designated to represent the countries’ character and culture. Although created in God’s own image, God didn’t declare the beautiful rose or the lotus for Adam. For the fallen man, God chose thorns and thistles as we read in Genesis 3:18, “It will produce thorns and thistles for you”. In God’s eye, man’s state was of despair and anguish because he rejected God. But, the crown of thorns that was fitting for Adam, you, and I was placed on Christ, the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the valley. Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Exodus: The D-Day of All Ages – God’s Rescue plan for Man

“Every son who is born you shall cast into the river” (Exodus 1:22). This image of Jewish infant boys being thrown into the Nile river foreshadows what we read in Revelation 20:15, “and whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Unlike the Nile river, the lake of fire doesn’t discriminate. If God had to bring on the ten plagues to deliver the Israelites from the stubborn hand of Pharaoh, how much would He have to do to rescue all of mankind from the impending doom? Jesus Christ gave all to rescue us. D-day of all Ages occurred 2000 years ago when Jesus Christ landed in Bethlehem and took on flesh for the purpose of taking away the sin of the world and saving us.

Leviticus: Christ, the Spotless Lamb of God

God demanded perfection in worship. God commanded the Israelites, “Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf” (Leviticus 22:20). A perfect sacrifice had to be offered for our right standing with God because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. While God’s attributes of holiness and righteousness seek to punish sin, God also happens to be love and the love of God is the reason that we have an offering with no defect. God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus Christ, the perfect and spotless lamb of God, to save us. We can choose to take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord or continue in the downward spiral of ungodliness which will eventually meet the wrath of God. The love of God allows us to come near God just as we are because Christ covers our multitude of sins and shame and mediates for us as He took upon the wrath of God on Himself.

Numbers: Christ, the Savior of the World, Lifted High

Whether the ailment is an infection, cancer, heart disease, or even fever, if there is a treatment option available, an ill person is sure to reach for the cure. Not a pandemic, but with a high mortality rate, Israelites suffered while journeying to the promised land. God sent fiery serpents among the people, to bite their heel and inflict death. Upon their repentance from sin, God provided a remedy, “Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived,” (Numbers 21:8). Interestingly, Jesus Christ used this incident when talking to Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher seeking salvation. Christ said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”  Death is certain for all of us but so is victory and life, if only we look up to the cross. The cure for the wages of sin is available unto all in Jesus of Nazareth.

Deuteronomy: God, Our Refuge and Fortress

For the run-away Israelite yearning to breathe free, the Sovereign God provided six cities of refuge to run to. “That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life,” (Deuteronomy 19:5). But we all have gone astray, turned to our own wicked ways, therefore, a price had to be paid for our sins. The grim reaper that’s chasing all mankind is the wrath of God claiming justice.  The cities of refuge sheltered those who may be innocent of first-degree murder but God is a refuge to those who are guilty of sin in every degree. God is an ever-present shelter even if you have willfully turned away. We all need a city of refuge to run to and we have that in Christ, our mediator and our fortress. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1). God has provided, now the responsibility of man is to accept Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

These five verses from the Pentateuch penned by Moses foreshadows the way, truth, and life that’s found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We read in I Timothy 2:3-4, “…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” God’s desire is that man should not perish but receive the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ. The price to attain this great gift has been paid by Christ, with His precious blood. The call of the Gospel continues with the other 39 writers of the Scriptures and may it carry on with us also, the people of God, who received mercy.

George John

George John resides in Hawthorne, New Jersey with his wife Eirene and four children. He is in active fellowship with the believers in Elmwood Park Bible Chapel, New Jersey and serves as the Sunday School Principal. George is also a pharmacist by trade.

You can read other articles by George here.