Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

longed, that it might in this respect be a more striking type of the gospel state, and because it was the one by which that was to be introduced. So the present economy is said to be changeless -a kingdom that cannot be moved, and designed to introduce that of glory, which shall be absolutely perfect and eternal. Moses and Christ were alike,

II. In their conduct under their different dispensations.

1. Moses was the deliverer of the people with whom he was connected by birth and natural ties.

Having designed him for a more extensive influence and control over his ancient church than all other men who had ever been connected with them in any capacity, it seemed necessary, that to secure their attachment and subjection, powerful motives were to be supplied, which should bear some proportion to the demand made upon their attention. Hence he became their deliverer, not in a fortuitous manner, as was frequently the case with others who were raised up after him, and who seemed to be more the creatures of the times in which they lived than to give a character to them, but he was from his birth designed for this office, and after being remarkably preserved from the rage of a cruel tyrant, offered himself for their help before any other engagement in life had occupied his attention. In these respects he resembled the great Prophet to whom he directed the attention of the Israelites. Jesus came into the world to deliver his people from the spiritual slavery in which they were held by the Prince of the power of

the air, and when exposed in his infancy to the cruel persecutions of the enemy of God's people, whose captives they were, he found a retreat in Egypt, the very country where Moses had been succoured before him. When he had entered upon his public ministry, and the interest he had with the people would have procured for him an earthly crown, he turned away from it, and like his great antitype chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." As in the case of Moses, the very persons who were to receive the benefit of his work were the men who thrust him from them; for "He came unto his own, and his own received him not ;"† "neither did his brethren believe in him;"‡ and though he bore with many provocations which were amply sufficient to justify him in leaving them in the misery into which they had brought themselves, yet he persevered until his design towards them was complete. Like Moses, his mission was disputed, and he was insulted in his office; but still he sought the happiness of those from whom he suffered. So it was said of him, "He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." The claim which our great Prophet has to us is founded upon his love as our deliverer, and, hence we are exhorted to live to Him who loved us, and gave himself for us. Moses resembled our Lord,

* Heb. xi. 25.

↑ John i. 11.
§ Matt. xii. 19, 20.

‡ John vii. 5.

2. In his ardent attachment to his people, and the interest he took in their welfare.

The relation in which he stood to the covenant into which God took the seed of Abraham was that of mediator. His being so connected seems to have been fully understood by the people, as it was designed of God; hence, while the Almighty himself looked upon his servant as responsible for their conduct to him, they regarded him in the same light in reference to what was done by the Almighty; but by an extraordinary display of wisdom he met with equal attention the claims of both.

Influenced as he was by a regard to the honour of God, from whom he had received his commission, and being sure of his approbation, it might have been expected that the Divine patience being exhausted, would furnish a sufficient inducement to him to renounce his anxiety for their welfare, but it was not so; on the contrary, seeing the Divine hand lifted up to strike them, he interposed to receive the blow, and would have suffered for them. Hence he said, "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin-; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."* So Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, which is established with him on behalf of his people. All the transactions of God with men are carried on through him. In him believers are chosen, in him they are represented, and such was his love to his church, that he was not only like Moses willing to suffer, but did actually die that they might live. The one typified the other, ↑ Heb. xii. 24.

* Ex. xxxii. 32.

3. In the peculiar faithfulness which characterized his conduct.

The dispensation of Moses, although as we may suppose modelled by him in some more minute details, was in all its important features moulded by Divine direction, expressly given. To become acquainted with his instructions, he was for forty days in communion with God, and then strictly commanded to "make all things according to the pattern showed to him in the mount."* That in this respect he was obedient to the heavenly vision, we have the express assurance of Divine inspiration, which asserts that "Moses was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after."+ So Christ is a faithful witness, a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God. "He was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." § And this he was careful to show; hence he said, "And the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. ." At the same time one excelled the other, as the son does the servant, for Christ was a Son over his own house."

66

4. That in which Moses was especially a type of Christ was the unlimited power which he possessed in his dispensation.

In studying the history of the great Jewish deliverer, we know not which most to admire, the singularity of his whole character, or the harmony which is apparent in all its features. Some of the ordinary prophets were remarkably + Heb. iii. 5. Heb. ii, 17.

* Heb. viii. 5.
§ Heb. iii. 2.

John xiv. 24.

distinguished in a few particulars, while taken altogether, they were little superior to other inspired men, or scarcely upon a level with them ; but Moses was in almost everything peculiar. As he was singular in his early life, and with respect to the intercourse to which he was admitted with God, the commission which he had received, the miracles by which his commission was confirmed, and the responsibility which attached to him as a mediator, (in all which particulars he differed from ordinary prophets,) so in the circumstance that, while it appertained to them to explain and enforce the law, only he had sovereign power amongst the people, both in affairs of common occurrence and also in matters of conscience. Hence it is affirmed of him: "Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together."

So Christ is a king as well as a deliverer, and sways his sceptre over his church which he has redeemed. His "kingdom is not of this world," being altogether of a spiritual nature, and in perfect harmony with his character and design in coming into the world. To exercise an unrivalled control over the hearts and consciences of men was the end for which he was born, and such is the connection between his regal and his other offices, that where the former is not recognised and submitted to, the advantages of the latter cannot be enjoyed. And as Moses appointed many rulers among * Deut. xxxiii. 4, 5. + John xviii. 36.

« AnteriorContinuar »