Better Than: Christ and Moses
Study on Hebrews 3:1-6
Children are known to have arguments with each other and, inevitably, someone will get their feelings hurt. I remember being involved in some of those arguments. Personally, after my pride was bruised, I would raise my banner of confidence - my pride in my dad’s prowess. “My dad can beat up your dad.” Of course, the other child would have his comeback, “Oh yea, my dad is smarter and stronger than your dad.” On and on the fighting and bickering continued. Then came the first punch. In Scripture, there are instances where different beliefs clash; like, Judaism and Christianity. So, the banner of confidence for each side would be declared. One side would choose Moses and the other side would choose Jesus. The Hebrew writer does his best to build up both sides while establishing Jesus superiority.
First, Moses was a great man. There can be no doubt to this truth knowing his role in history among the Israelites. In fact, he had a special relationship with God (cf. Num. 12). However, this great man was classified as a servant of God. “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant . . .” (Heb. 3:5a). In this passage, the word used for “servant” was not the one that referenced a slave or a lowly servant; rather, Moses was a servant of significance and entrusted by God with great works. Or as the Hebrew writer stated, “to testify to things that were to be spoken later” (Heb. 3:5b). For a Jewish person, Moses was positioned extremely high. And the Hebrew writer says that he was “faithful in all God’s house” (Heb. 3:2; cf. Num. 12:7). This is no small declaration. However, Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant.
Second, Jesus is greater than Moses. The Hebrew writer justifies this truth when he compares and contrasts the differences between the two individuals. While Moses is a top servant of God, Jesus is God’s Son and while Moses is a faithful servant in God’s house, Jesus is the Son over God’s house (Heb. 3:6). This Jesus is “the apostle and high priest of our confession” (Heb. 3:1b). He is the apostle from God the Father to us and He is the high priest between us and God. Moses, as great as he was, cannot compare to the glory, mission, and the being of Jesus. The reality is that Jesus is God as much as God is God. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Heb. 1:1-2).
Third, glory goes to the architect. Growing up in Iowa, kids always seemed to enjoy the snow with snowballs, sledding, and snow forts. Some forts were very elaborate. It was obvious to notice the thought and time that was put into a well-built fort. But well-built forts did not happen spontaneously, they were designed. So, if a fort were well-built and good for protection, everyone would ask who built it. Why? Because the glory of the well-built fort would go to the builder of the fort. This is what the Hebrew writer wants people to understand. Jesus, as God, is the builder of His house and He deserves the glory (Heb. 3:3). Moses, on the other hand, is never understood as the builder or architect of God’s house. He is always understood as God’s servant. There is no one person who is greater than God and Jesus is God.
In conclusion, think about this. If I were a Jewish Christian and, because of persecution, I was thinking about going back to Judaism, I would be grateful to be reminded who is greater, the Son or the servant. Moses was a great man, and he performed his tasks for God wonderfully and dutifully. However, he is just a servant. Jesus, is ranked greater than Moses because He is not classified as a servant; rather, He is God. And because He is God, all people must understand that He is superior. Everything about Jesus is better. And Moses is just one comparison the Hebrew writer talks about.
First, Moses was a great man. There can be no doubt to this truth knowing his role in history among the Israelites. In fact, he had a special relationship with God (cf. Num. 12). However, this great man was classified as a servant of God. “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant . . .” (Heb. 3:5a). In this passage, the word used for “servant” was not the one that referenced a slave or a lowly servant; rather, Moses was a servant of significance and entrusted by God with great works. Or as the Hebrew writer stated, “to testify to things that were to be spoken later” (Heb. 3:5b). For a Jewish person, Moses was positioned extremely high. And the Hebrew writer says that he was “faithful in all God’s house” (Heb. 3:2; cf. Num. 12:7). This is no small declaration. However, Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant.
Second, Jesus is greater than Moses. The Hebrew writer justifies this truth when he compares and contrasts the differences between the two individuals. While Moses is a top servant of God, Jesus is God’s Son and while Moses is a faithful servant in God’s house, Jesus is the Son over God’s house (Heb. 3:6). This Jesus is “the apostle and high priest of our confession” (Heb. 3:1b). He is the apostle from God the Father to us and He is the high priest between us and God. Moses, as great as he was, cannot compare to the glory, mission, and the being of Jesus. The reality is that Jesus is God as much as God is God. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Heb. 1:1-2).
Third, glory goes to the architect. Growing up in Iowa, kids always seemed to enjoy the snow with snowballs, sledding, and snow forts. Some forts were very elaborate. It was obvious to notice the thought and time that was put into a well-built fort. But well-built forts did not happen spontaneously, they were designed. So, if a fort were well-built and good for protection, everyone would ask who built it. Why? Because the glory of the well-built fort would go to the builder of the fort. This is what the Hebrew writer wants people to understand. Jesus, as God, is the builder of His house and He deserves the glory (Heb. 3:3). Moses, on the other hand, is never understood as the builder or architect of God’s house. He is always understood as God’s servant. There is no one person who is greater than God and Jesus is God.
In conclusion, think about this. If I were a Jewish Christian and, because of persecution, I was thinking about going back to Judaism, I would be grateful to be reminded who is greater, the Son or the servant. Moses was a great man, and he performed his tasks for God wonderfully and dutifully. However, he is just a servant. Jesus, is ranked greater than Moses because He is not classified as a servant; rather, He is God. And because He is God, all people must understand that He is superior. Everything about Jesus is better. And Moses is just one comparison the Hebrew writer talks about.