Yes, I am one of those that use Hebrew names for those guys in the Bible. But to be fair, I use both in ordinary conversation, because I have since come to terms with the idea that I am part of a transition generation. I say Jesus/Yeshua, Torah/Bible, the “feasts of the Lord” vs. Christmas, Easter and whatever. It’s okay. I just have to make people understand that we are in a Christian culture that zealously protects what they know about Jesus just in case these new terms will be anti-Christian. I understand that. So, for the sake of any readers, i’ll put both. I use the name “Jesus” because that is the name by which I was born again. So if you are one who says “That’s not the name His mommy called HIm”, that’s okay. He speaks a lot of different languages, and He understands my native language.
The Torah/Bible portion called Shemot, which is the first four chapters of Exodus, provided me with much opportunity for research. I learned that there are about 30 comparisons between Jesus and Moses, and I learned about Egyptian culture and history.
If you go to John Parson’s website Hebrew4Christians.com you will find an excellent rundown of those comparisons. Click here:http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Like_Moses/like_moses.html.
I noticed however that Moses and Yeshua/Jesus were not alike in some ways. from the get go. To start with, they both experienced different encounters with Yahweh in the wilderness/desert. Moses calling was at the burning bush, when he entered into his “ministry”, and Yeshua was launched after an encounter with the devil. So if you are going to compare the two, I think it’s only fair to think about the differences.
So the first difference was the way they received their calling. A second difference has to do with the authority with which they spoke. Remember, Moses was timid when told by Yahweh to tell Pharoah to “let My people go”…
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Exodus 4:10
And the fact that Yahweh was not pleased with him that he was shying away from the mission:..
Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” Exodus 4:14
Contrast this with Yeshua:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matt. 7:29
And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. – Luke 4:36 .
We’ll talk about this in a moment.
The third way, was that Moses was from the tribe of Levi and Yeshua, from the tribe of Judah. Two different tribes that fulfill two different purposes.
The last way, is an obvious difference. Moses did not go into the promised land. Joshua did. Now, Joshua, y’hoshua’s name means: He is salvation: Yeshua’s name means “He is salvation” (Yahweh + He saves). Hebrew students can correct it they wish. Bottom line is that Moses did not lead the children of Israel into the Land of Promise because he was not supposed to. I know this causes lots of theological conundrums, but there it is, folks. Do you also see that here is a shadow picture of Messiah, for no one truly finds peace or rest, except in Messiah.
The things that I find though, for me are the more profound things that reveal truth about our Messiah. I found more interesting things when I looked up the word “led” as in “Yeshua was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”, which kind of leads us back to the beginning of this article.
It is also just a little path, that leads to our Messiah but it’s such a lovely path. Put your walking shoes on and let’s go. First. a little night music. 🙂
This is from Chabad.org. This is something that will be necessary background for what I’ve discovered with a word study.
And G-d said to Noah… Come into the ark (7:1)
The Hebrew word for “ark,” teivah, also means “word.” “Come into the word,” says G-d; enter within the words of prayer and Torah study. Here you will find a sanctuary of wisdom, meaning and holiness amidst the raging floodwaters of life.
(Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov)
Behold, I will bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; every thing that is on the earth shall die. But with you will I establish My covenant; and you shall come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
Gen 7:1 And the LORD 3068 said 559 unto Noah 5146, Come 935 thou and all thy house 1004 into the ark8392; for thee have I seen 7200 righteous 6662 before me 6440 in this 2088 generation 1755.
Noah’s ark (and also the ark that Moses was placed in) are called in Hebrew teyvat (ship).
Ah. Gets me to my next point…the word “led”, which gets us into deeper waters.
Yeshua was led of the spirit into the wilderness. Matthew 4:1. The word for “led” means to “let loose, launch, set sail”. This is a word that has nautical overtones. So the Father set His son on a journey. It was His journey to the cross. There were waves to encounter, there was doldrums, there was mutiny among the crew members, and there might be even sea monsters! He didn’t waver, however, but it was written in the volume of the book, “Behold I have come to do Your will, Oh God.”
So Yeshua was “launched” (like a ship/boat) and “set sail” like a ship/boat. Or maybe, launched like an “ark”?
Recapping: Rabbis teach that when we come to the Torah, we are beckoned to “come into the ark”. The word of God saves us! Come into Yeshua/Jesus! The Word of God saves us!
The living Torah/word! Yeshua!
Occasionally Profound 