Moses’ work foreshadows the work of Jesus on the earth. This is not coincidental…we have a pattern of ‘divine design’.
- Decree to kill all male children.
Exodus 1 (Moses). A new pharaoh rose up, who did not know Joseph. This pharaoh feared that because the children of Israel were many that they would join Egypt’s enemies and fight against them (Egypt). Initially, pharaoh set ‘taskmasters’ over the children of Israel and basically made them slaves building treasure cities (Pithom and Raamses). However, the more they were burdened with slave labor the more they multiplied and grew. The unexpected happened, the children of Israel multiplied and grew. So, the Egyptians made their tasks even more grievous. And, the king of Egypt told the Hebrew midwives (Shiphrah, Puah) to kill male children born, yet let girls live. The midwives reverenced God and they did not do as commanded by the king. The king apparently noticed this was not being done, so he called the midwives in and asked why they have not obeyed his command. They told Pharaoh the Hebrew women are different and they already delivered before they came to help. It is after this, that Pharaoh opening commanded that every son that is born is to be case into the river (Nile) and every daughter born shall live.
Note: Israel here is referring to Jacob and his descendants. God changed Jacob’s name which means ‘to supplant’ to Israel which means ‘prince with God, power with God, prevailer with Godl’. Jacob is referred to as both Jacob and Israel, and Israel as a people is referred to as Israel; so context is important, especially with the name ‘Israel’ for it could be referring to Jacob’s descendants or it could be referring to the people as a whole (nation). At this point, the nation had not been completed.
All the promises to given to Abraham are promises to us for it was an everlasting covenant. We are spiritual Israel. Genesis 2:1-3, 17:17.
Satan was behind that decree. God gave a prophecy that in 400 years his people would be delivered, meaning a deliverer would be coming on the scene. Satan knew something was about to happen and he was at odds with or had enmity with ‘the woman and her seed’ (Gen. 3:15).
Matthew 2 (Jesus). Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea during the reign of Herod the king. Wise men were traveling through from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” The wise men asked this questions because they saw the star in the east and they came to worship him. They must have been familiar with the prophecy of the coming Messiah. This troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem when they hear this. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes and demanded of them where Christ should be born. They told Herod that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem of Judaea according to the prophet. Herod then called the wise men privately wanting to know when the star appeared. Herod sent them to Bethlehem and told them when they find the child to report back to him so he may come and worship him also. They departed and the star went before them till it come over the child. They rejoiced and went into the house and fell down and worshipped him as Mary was holding him. They present him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, so they departed into their own country by another route. Once they departed, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to take Jesus and his mother and flee into Egypt. Joseph was told that Herod was going to seek the child to destroy him, so they were to stay in Egypt until word was sent that they could leave. Joseph took Mary and Jesus, by night, and departed to Egypt. Once Herod figured out that the wise men were not returning to him, he was enraged and had all the children (from two and under) that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof slain (this was prophesized by Jeremiah). When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to leave Egypt and go the Israel. Joseph entered into the parts of Galilee in the city called Nazareth. (this was prophesized also).
Note: It is assumed that there were three wise men for they brought three gifts, but that is only an assumption. We do not know how many there were.
Satan was behind the decree. He knew of the prophesized Messiah and attempted to stamp him out.
2. Wilderness Experience.
Exodus 2:1-15 (Moses). Jochebed, because of the death decree, placed her three month old son in a basket and put it in the rushes near the bank of the river. His sister watched to see what might happen to him. Now, the daughter of pharaoh came to the river to wash herself and when she was the basked; she sent her maidens to fetch it. When she opened the basket she saw the baby and the baby was crying…she had compassion on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews’ children’. His sister said the pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?’. Pharaoh’s daughter said ‘yes’. Jochebed returned with his sister and the pharoah’s daughter told her to take the child, and nurse him for wages. So, she did just that. At some point, Jochebed took him to the pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son…she called his name Moses because she drew him out of the water. Moses knew he was a Hebrew and who his family was. As an adult, Moses saw the burdens of his people, and one day he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew. He looked around and saw no one, then he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting and he said to him that did the wrong, “Why are you fighting your brethren”? And he said to Moses, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian? Moses became fearful and though that what he did was known. When pharaoh heard about this dialogue between Moses and the Hebrew’s that were fighting – he sought to kill Moses. But, Moses fled to the land of Midian.
Note: Here is where Moses began in 40-year wilderness experience (see: Exodus 2:16-25).
Matthew 4 (Jesus). After Jesus grows up and is baptized, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, and he fasted for forty days and was hungry. This is when Satan came and tempted Jesus, the Son of God. Satan told Jesus to: command the stones to be bread, throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and then from a mountain top asked Jesus to worship him. In every temptation of Satan, Jesus said, “It is written….”
3. Deliverance of the people.
Exodus 3-4. (Moses). Moses is visited by an angel of the LORD near Mt Horeb (Sinai) while he was tending to his father-in-law’s (Jethro) flock. The angel of the LORD appears to Moses in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush (the bush was on fire but not consumed). God called to Moses out of the midst of the bush and told him to take off his shoes for he was standing on holy ground. God tells him that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – Moses hides his face for he was afraid to look upon God. God tells Moses he hears the cries of his people in Egypt and He has come to deliver them to a land flowing with milk and honey.
Matthew 4:12 (Jesus). Jesus returned from the wilderness after 40 days to begin his ministry – the work of delivering his people.
4. The Work of Miracles
Exodus 5-12 (Moses Miracles by God). Moses and Aaron go before pharaoh fourteen times, and ten of those was to announce a plague (judgment). The following are the miracles performed in Exodus:
Moses’ initial request before Pharoah –
5:1 Let us go to worship and sacrifice unto God
7:10 Moses/Aaron’s rods became snakes, magician’s with their enchantments made their rods snakes also; BUT God’s snakes swallowed the magicians snakes.
Now the pronouncement of plagues:
7:14-25 River turns to blood, the magicians did the same with their enchantments.
8:1-7 Frogs came up and covered Egypt, the magicians called forth frogs also.
8:8-15 Pharaoh calls Moses to remove the frogs.
8:16-19 Lice upon the land, the magicians tried to bring forth lice but they could not. They went to Pharaoh and told him so. Going forward the magicians could
not replicate the plagues.
8:20-24 Flies upon the land.
8:25-32 Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron to go sacrifice to their God in the land (Egypt); Moses refused for it would be an abomination to God to make
sacrifice in the land of Egypt. Moses said it must be a three day journey from Egypt. The Pharaoh said go sacrifice in the wilderness but don’t go far…but
before you go, entreat your God to remove the flies. God removed the flies, then pharaoh would not let them go.
9:1-7 Disease upon the beast of the field (cattle, horses, asses, camels, oxen, and sheep); except for those that belonged to the Israelites.
9:8-17 Boils upon man and beast in Egypt, did not affect the Israelites.
9:13 Moses was to go before Pharaoh to tell him to let God’s people go or all of His plagues / pestilence will be sent upon Egypt.
9:18-35 Hail mingled with fire storm destroyed all that was in the field (beast, man, herb)
10:1-7, Locust in all the land. Moses told Pharaoh about the coming of the locust.
10:8-11 Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron back and Pharaoh tells them to go and serve their God. Pharaoh wanted to know who would go and Moses
told him we will go with our young, the old, sons, daughters, locks and herds.; and Pharaoh drove them out from his presence.
10:12-15 As Moses and Aaron leave they raise the rod for the locust to come.
10:16-20 Pharoah summons Moses and Aaron, go and serve your God; but entreat Him to remove the locust. God did so, and pharaoh would not let them
go serve God.
10:21-23 Darkness fell upon the land for three days, except the Israelites had light.
10:24-27 Pharaoh summed Moses and told him to Go and serve the Lord, but your flocks stay. Moses said they would need to sacrifice so their flocks must
go also. Pharaoh did not let them go. Pharaoh told Moses he did want to see his face again lest he would die. Moses said, “You will see my face no more.”
11:1-12:30 Death of the first born of Egypt child and beast. Before the final plague, God directed Moses to speak in the ears of the people and to have them
collect jewels of silver and gold and even collect among the Egyptians who favored them. This plague would not affect the Israelites should each household
take a male unblemished lamb in its first year, slay it in the evening before He comes to execute judgment against the Egyptians, and take the blood and
strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post where the lamb will be eaten. It shall be roasted with fire, and eaten with unleavened bread and
bitter herbs. Any of the lamb that remains was to be burned the following morning. God will Passover their home, this was a memorial to the people (called
the Passover) and feasts associated with it was instituted.
12:31-41 Pharaoh summon Moses and Aaron at nigh and told them to rise up and leave to serve the Lord, take your children, flocks, herds, etc. Pharaoh
asked Moses to bless him.
The Recorded Miracles of Jesus After His Wilderness Experience
Turns water into wine (grape juice) at the wedding in Cana at Galilee. John 2:1-11
Jesus went all about Galilee healing all manner of disease among the people, teaching in synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus’ fame
reached all of Syria and the brought to him the sick and those possessed with devils, lunatics’, and those with palsy. A great multitude followed him from:
Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:23-35
Heals an official’s son in Capernaum while in Cana at Galilee. John 4:43-54
Drives out an evil spirit from a man in the synagogue in Capernaum at Galilee on the Sabbath. Mark 1:21-27, Luke 4:31-36
A man full of leprosy saw Jesus and fell at His feet asking if He would make him clean. Jesus cleansed him, and told him to tell no one; but to go to the priests.
Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-14
A Roman centurion’s servant had palsy in Capernaum. He asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said “I will come” and the centurions beseeched Jesus to just
speak the words. Jesus did and the servant was healed by the time they got back to the house. Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
Heals Peter’s mother-in-law. Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39
In the evening, heals many sick with who have diverse diseases, and cast out demons not allowing them to speak. Matthew 8:16-17, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40-41
Miraculous catch of fish. Jesus got into Simons boat at the shore, preached and when He was done had Simon launch the boat into the deep of lake
Gennesaret* and had Simon drop the net. There were so many fish it broke the net – Simon called out to his partners in the other boat to come and they
filled both boats with so many fish the boats began to sink. Luke 5:1-11
Calmed the storm. Jesus was in the ship with his disciples and there arose a great storm so much that the waves was covering the ship. Jesus was asleep. They
woke him up and asked Jesus to save them. Jesus asked them why they were fearful and said, “O ye of little faith”. Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea; and
there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
Demons driven into pigs. Jesus entered Gergesenes, and two met him who came out from a tomb and who were exceeding fierce. The legion of demons cried
out “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time? There was a herd of swine feeding, so the devils ask
Jesus to cast them out into the herd of pigs. Jesus told them to “Go”, they did and the swine ran into the sea and perished. Matthew 8:28-33, Mark 5:1-20,
Luke 8:26-39
Heals a man with palsy. Jesus was in his own city of Capernaum and heals a man with palsy that was let down through the roof. Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12,
Luke 5:17-26
Raises a daughter from the dead. Jesus touches Jarius’ daughter by the hand and says, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise”; and she did. Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26;
Mark 5:21-24, 36-43; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56
Cures a woman with an issue of blood. A woman, in the crowd, who was diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years touched the hem of Jesus’ garment for
she knew she would be whole. Jesus turned to her and told her that her faith made her whole and she was whole. Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34,
Luke 8:43-48
Gives sight to two blind men. Two blind men follow Jesus crying and asking, “Thou son of David, have mercy on us.” Jesus asked them if they though he was
able to do this, and they told him ‘yes’. Jesus thouched their eyes and said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matthew 9:27-31
Restores speech and casts out a demon. A mute man possessed with a devil was brought to Jesus. Jesus cast out the devil and the man spoke. The Pharisees said
Jesus did this through the prince of the devils (meaning Satan). Matthew 9:32-34
Jesus went about all the cities and villages healing every sickness and every disease among the people, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and . Matthew 9:35
Restores a withered hand. Jesus was in the synagogue, and a man with a withered hand asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath days. Jesus told him it
is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11
Jesus heals a blind, mute demoniac. Matthew 12:22-23, Luke 11:14-23
Raised up the widows only son. Jesus went to Nain and when he was at the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out – the only son of his mother and
she was a widow. The Lord saw her and had compassion on her. Jesus touched the frame of the cot that the dead man was being carried upon and Jesus
said, “Arise”, and the dead man sat up. Luke 7:11-17
Heals a few sick folk. On the Sabbath day, Jesus was in the temple preaching. The people were in awe. Some said, “Is this the son of Mary, brother of
James/Joses/Juda/Simon? They were offended at him. He healed a few sick folk. Jesus marveled because of the people’s unbelief. Mark 6:1-6
Heals a paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus was in Jerusalem on the Sabbath by the sheep market where there was a pool, called Bethesda which had five
porches. A great multitude of impotent folk where there waiting for the moving of the water by the angel who went down** at a certain season to the pool
and troubled the water. A certain man was there with an infirmity of thirty-eight years. Jesus asked him “Wilt thou be made whole” The man answered, “Sir, I
have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up
thy bed and walk.” The Jews said to the man who was healed and who was walking with his mat (bed) that it was not lawful to carry the mat (bed) on the
Sabbath. The man said that the man who made me whole said to take up my bed and walk. The Jews wanted to know who told him to do that. The man did
know who it was (meaning he did not know it was Jesus). Jesus then saw him later in the temple and told him, “Behold, thou art mad whole: sin no more,
least a worse thing come unto thee.” The man went and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole. John 5:1-15
Jesus heals the sick in a multitude that followed him to a desert place called Bethsaida. Matthew 14:13-14, Luke 9:10-11
Jesus feeds about 5,000 men, women, and children with five barley loaves and two small fishes that a young lad had. Afterwards there was 12 baskets full.
Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-15
Jesus walks on water. The ship with the disciples was in the midst of the sea, while Jesus was upon a mountain to pray, and the ship began
to be tossed with the waves for the wind was contrary. Jesus went to them by walking upon the water. The disciples saw him and thought it was a spirit and
they cried out in fear. Jesus told them it was he. Matthew 14:22-31, Mark 6:45-50, John 6:16-21a
Jesus calms the storm and ship is immediately at shore. Once Jesus entered the ship, after walking on the water, he calmed the strong winds and the ships was
immediately at shore. Matthew 14:32-33, Mark 6:51-52, John 6:21b
Jesus heals many who touch his garment at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34-36, Luke 6:53-56
Heals a Gentile’s daughter. Jesus went to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon; and a woman from Canaan came to him crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of
David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” Jesus says nothing, and his disciples told him to send her away. Jesus tells his disciples that to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel. The gentile woman came and worshipped him saying, “Lord, help me.” Jesus said to her, “Is is not meet to take the children’s
bread, and to cast it to dogs.” The woman said, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Jesus told her great was her
faith and that her daughter was made whole. *** Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30
Jesus heals many. Jesus went at night to the sea of Galilee, went up into a mountain, and sat down. Great multitudes came have the lame, blind, mute, maimed;
and sat them down at Jesus’ feet and he healed them. Matthew 15:29-31
Jesus heals a man from Decapolis who was deaf and mute. Mark 7:31-37
Jesus feeds 4,000. Jesus has been preaching for three days and he will not send them away hungry. There were 4,000 men, women and children. The disciples
told Jesus they had seven loaves and a few little fishes. He had the multitude to sit down on the ground. He took the loaves and the fishes, gave thanks,
broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Seven baskets full was left over. Matthew 15:32-39
Heals a blind man. Jesus is in Bethsaida; and a blind man is brought to Jesus. He takes the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. Jesus spit on his
eyes, and put his hands upon him. Jesus asks if he can see; and the man said I see men as trees walking. Jesus put his hands on his eyes again and then
made him look up and the man’s sight was fully restored. Mark 8:22-26
Jesus heals a man born blind with a mud pack made with His spit and dirt. John 9:1-7
Jesus heals a boy with an that is sorely vexed (possessed) and out of his mind. Matthew 17:14-20, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43
Coin in the mouth of a fish. Jesus sends Peter to catch a fish and when he opens it mouth there will be coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax for the both of
them. Matthew 17:24-27
Healed woman with an 18 year infirmity. Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, and there was a woman that had an infirmity for 18 years
who was bowed over. Jesus told her she was loosed from her infirmity, laid his hands on her, and she immediately was made straight. Luke 13:10-17
Heals a man with dropsy. Jesus enters one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, and they were watching him. A man came before Jesus which
had dropsy. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” They did not answer Him. Jesus healed the man and let him go.
Luke 14:1-6
Heals ten lepers. As Jesus was passing through Samaria and Galilee, on his way to Jerusalem, a certain village he met ten men that were lepers which stood afar
off. They lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. As they went, they were
cleansed. One turned back and with a loud voice glorified God and fell down on his face at Jesus feet. This man was a Samaritan. The other nine did not give
thanks. Luke 17:11-19
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead at Bethany. John 11:1-45
Healed a great multitude. Jesus was in the coasts of Judaea beyond the Jordon, and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. Matthew 19:1-2
Healed two blind men, one being Barimaeus. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, two blind men (one being Bartimaeus) began calling out to Jesus asking for mercy.
The multitude rebuked them, but they cried louder. Jesus asked them what they wanted him to do for them. They asked him to open their eyes. Jesus having
`compassion on the touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received sight and they followed him. Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43
Jesus healed the blind and the lame came to him in the temple (Jerusalem). Matthew 21:14
Fig tree. Jesus was returning to Bethan, on the way he saw a fig tree in the way. There was nothing on it but leaves for it was not yet time for the figs. Jesus said
let no fruit grow on it forever, and the fig tree withered away. Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14
Restores Malchus ear. Peter cuts off Malchus, the high priest’s servant, ear. Jesus touched Malchus’s ear and healed him. Luke 22:50-51, John 18:10-11
Large catch of fish. The disciples were out in the sea of Tiberias. Jesus stood on the shore, but they did not know it was him. Jesus asked them if they had any
meat; and they answered him, No. Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side of the ship and they will find fish. They did so, and there were so many
fish in the net they were not able to draw it up. John told Peter it was Jesus. Peter put on his fisher’s coat (for he was naked) and jumped into the sea. The
other disciples came in a little ship for they were not far from land, dragging the net with the fish. Jesus had fish on the coals of fire and bread. Jesus told
them to bring the fish they caught, and there were 153 fish in the net. John 21:4-11
His resurrection. Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-53, John 20:1-31
5. The Work is to set the People Free
Moses’ work was to the children of Israel free from captivity and bondage. Ultimately, this freedom came through the blood of a passover lamb.
Jesus’ work to set them free from their sins (captivity and bondage), through his blood.
6. Commandments of God
Exodus 20, Moses gave the people the commandments of God.
Jesus, in his ministry, brought to the attention of his people the commandments of God. Love God will all your heart, soul, and mind; Love your neighbor as yourself. One these two hang all the law and the prophets.
7. Ascended Up, Received in a Cloud, Sanctuary Emphasis
Exodus 24:15-18 to Exodus 32. Moses went up the mountain to meet with God, and a cloud covered it. The people watched Moses ascend to meet God; and a cloud received him out of their sight. He was with God for 40 days and nights. Moses received sanctuary instructions from God.
Acts 1:9 After the resurrection of Jesus, he spent 40 days with his people. Then He ascended up and a cloud received him. Jesus becomes the High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary according to Hebrews 8.
8. Delayed Coming and Creating an Image to a Beast
Exodus 32:1-7 Moses delayed coming down out of the mount, and the people apostatized by creating an image to a beast.
Revelation 13 Jesus foretells that in the end of time there will be an image to a beast that is created.
9. The Return
Exodus 32:7-29. Moses returns from the mountain, when nobody was expecting it. When Moses returned, he asked who was on the Lord’s side – let them come unto me. The righteous came to Moses, while the wicked who worshiped the image of the beast refused. Those who came on the Lord’s side were the Levites, and because of this they were given the priesthood.
Matthew 24:44; 1 Cor. 15:52-54; Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 6:14-17. Jesus will come at a time when it is not expected. When Jesus returns the wicked run and hide wanting rocks to fall upon them, but the righteous will become kings and priests with Christ for 1,000 years.
10. God Wants to Tabernacle with Us
Exodus 35-40 Moses receives instructions and builds a sanctuary (temple), a place for God to dwell among mankind. Exodus 25:8 God wants to tabernacle (dwell) with us.
Revelation 21:3, Revelation 22 Tells us the temple of God will dwell with man at the end of everything, and he will tabernacle with us.
Comments:
*Lake of Gennesaret is also known as: Sea of Tiberias, Lake Kinneret, and Sea of Galilee.
** In English, many older translations, such as the King James Version, state that an angel of the Lord stirred up the healing waters, but the more ancient biblical manuscripts leave out that element of the story (hence, no verse 4 [KJV] in many translations). Although Ellen White generally used the King James Bible, she apparently rejected the implication that angels were involved in the troubling of the waters.
“At certain seasons the waters of this pool were agitated, and it was commonly believed that this was the result of supernatural power and that whoever first after the troubling of the pool stepped into the waters, would be healed of whatever disease he had.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 201 (emphasis supplied). If the traditional reading were to prove correct, it certainly would be a strange thing for God to arrange a healing mechanism in which the least sick are favored over the truly needy. In direct contrast, Jesus enters a place of merciless mercy and picks out the least-likely candidate to achieve healing along the lines of the popular tradition.
*** Canaanite’s were heathen idolaters (worship of demonic idols, taboo sexual acts, child sacrifice to their gods). They were despised and hated by the Jews. It is obvious that this woman had heard of Jesus and his healing miracles. When she learned Jesus was near, she determined to present her daughter’s case to Him. Christ placed himself in her path, to provide a living object lesion designed to teach:
– the Jews. It was a rebuke to the Jews as to how they treated the Gentiles and influenced animosity and prejudice towards them.
– the disciples. Jesus demonstrated the cold and heartless manner in which the Jews and they would treat her. It was an object lesson for the disciples
not to treat another human being in this manner – regardless if Jew of Gentile. Christ grants her request and finishes the lesson for the
disciples. This was an example of His work of mercy that the disciples were to embrace, to lead them away from their Jewish exclusiveness.
The world was evangelistic grounds and all should be fellow heirs of the promise.
– the women. Here Christ meets one of the detested races of the Jews, of which they failed to provide with the light of God’s word. Even through Jesus’
conversation with her, she was able to see his compassion. She, in her faith, surrenders to him as Redeemer and of a convicted heart knows he
can heal her daughter. She will undoubtedly tells others of his love and grace.
We have only scratched the surface of the deep things of God. One must read the Bible and look for Jesus on: every page, every recorded event, the lives of those selected to be a part of the inspired Word; and you will find the ‘pearls of truth’ that Jesus left for us to ponder and internalize. Our understanding of God’s character, love, justice, and governance (law) expands more and more over time. Praise and Glory be to our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit our Guide and Comforter, and our Father who has revealed Himself to us through his Son. The Plain Word.
Credit for the content of this post: Ivor Myers, Power of the Lamb Ministries.
Disclaimer: THE PLAIN WORD may quote an outside article(s) or provide references to outside materials, which indicate that we stand behind the content of that particular article or reference; but it is not an endorsement by The Plain Word of the author’s opinion, lifestyle or work published elsewhere.
2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” AND 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”