“And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:5-6).
Since the first century, a perpetual challenge for the Jews has been to understand and accept the role God assigned to Moses and Jesus.
In God’s Old Testament house, Moses’ vital role was one of a servant. He did what He was told to do, and He did it faithfully (Exodus 40:16). The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law did not originate with Him. He was a special servant of God and was clearly superior to others who prophesied (Numbers 12:1-8). He even wrote of things which were to come, but He still was a servant in God’s house.
Not so with Jesus. In God’s New Testament house, Jesus’ vital role is one of a Son over it. Because of His faithfulness as God’s apostle, Jesus has been placed as King and Priest over God’s people. The types and prophecies Moses faithfully recorded were fulfilled by Jesus. In definite distinction from God’s servant Moses, God’s Son said, “You have heard it said (do not murder, do not commit adultery…), but I say to you…” (Matthew 5:21-48).
Both Jesus and Moses are noteworthy because of their faithfulness in carrying out their responsibilities. This, however, does not make them equal in rank or authority. Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant. Jesus was and is faithful in God’s house as a Son.
Just as a private and a general in the military are not equal in rank, neither are Moses and Jesus.
