Moses' Role as Mediator and Leader in the Bible
Moses' Role as Mediator and Leader
Moses is described as a mediator between God and Israel in several biblical passages. In Galatians 3:19, Moses is referred to as a mediator, highlighting his role in facilitating communication and covenant between God and the Israelites [1]. This mediatorial role is further emphasized in Deuteronomy 5:5, where Moses states that he stood between the Lord and the people, acting as an interpreter and messenger of God's word [6].
The biblical account portrays Moses as a leader who intercedes on behalf of the Israelites. In Exodus 24, Moses receives laws and ordinances from God and then communicates them to the people, taking their consent and ratifying the covenant through sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood [7]. This act demonstrates Moses' role as a mediator, bridging the gap between God and humanity.
The New Testament writers see Moses' mediatorial role as a typological precursor to Christ's mediatorial work. The author of Hebrews notes that Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, superior to the old covenant mediated by Moses (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24) [8]. This typological connection is also made in one commentary tradition on Deuteronomy 5:5, which highlights Moses' role as a type of Christ, the ultimate mediator between God and humanity [6].
The concept of mediation is further explored in the context of the covenant between God and Israel. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Christ is the mediator of the gospel covenant, and Moses is seen as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's mediatorial role [2]. The Baptist/Reformed commentary on Acts 7:35 notes that Moses was sent by God to be a ruler and redeemer, emphasizing his role as a mediator and leader [4].
one commentary tradition on Galatians 3:20 provides insight into the nature of mediation, highlighting that a mediator implies two parties. In the context of the law, Moses acted as a mediator between God and Israel, whereas God's promise to Abraham was a unilateral act, not requiring a mediator [5].
Moses' leadership and mediatorial role are also evident in his interactions with God and the Israelites. In Exodus 33, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, and God responds by establishing a correspondence with Moses, signifying his approbation through the cloudy pillar [9].
The biblical portrayal of Moses as a mediator and leader highlights his unique role in Israel's history. As a type of Christ, Moses' mediatorial work foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ, who is described as the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5) [3].
The significance of Moses' role is further underscored by the contrast between his mediation and that of Christ. While Moses mediated the old covenant, Christ mediates a new and better covenant, one that is not limited to a specific people or nation but is universal in scope [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mediator — One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in the word "daysman" (q.v.), marg., "umpire." This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a mediator in Gal. 3:19. Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliat”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Mediator — In virtue of his atonement -- Eph 2:13-18; Heb 9:15; 12:24. The only one between God and man -- 1Ti 2:5. Of the gospel covenant -- Heb 8:6; 12:24. Typified Moses. -- De 5:5; Ga 3:19. Aaron. -- Nu 16:48.”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB) — For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 7:35: This Moses, whom they refused,.... That is, the Israelites; the Ethiopic version reads, "his kinsmen denied"; those of his own nation, and even of his family: "saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge?" as Dathan, or whoever said the words in Act 7:27. the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer; or "a redeemer"; so the Jews often call Moses, saying (z). "as was the first redeemer, so shall be the last Redeemer.'' He was an eminent type of the Messiah; and the redemption of the people of Israel out of the Egyptian bondage, by him, was emblematical of rede”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:20: "Now a mediator cannot be of one (but must be of two parties whom he mediates between); but God is one" (not two: owing to His essential unity not admitting of an intervening party between Him and those to be blessed; but as the ONE Sovereign, His own representative, giving the blessing directly by promise to Abraham, and, in its fulfilment, to Christ, "the Seed," without new condition, and without a mediator such as the law had). The conclusion understood is, Therefore a mediator cannot appertain to God; and consequently, the law, with its insepara”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 5:5: I stood between the Lord and you at that time--as the messenger and interpreter of thy heavenly King, bringing near two objects formerly removed from each other at a vast distance, namely, God and the people (Gal 3:19). In this character Moses was a type of Christ, who is the only mediator between God and men (Ti1 2:5), the Mediator of a better covenant (Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24). to show you the word of the Lord--not the ten commandments--for they were proclaimed directly by the Divine Speaker Himself, but the statutes and judgments which ar”
- Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 24 (introduction): Moses, as mediator between God and Israel, having received divers laws and ordinances from God privately in the three foregoing chapters, in this chapter, I. Comes down to the people, acquaints them with the laws he had received, and takes their consent to those laws (Exo 24:3), writes the laws, and reads them to the people, who repeat their consent (Exo 24:4-7), and then by sacrifice, and the sprinkling of blood, ratifies the covenant between them and God (Exo 24:5, Exo 24:6, Exo 24:8). II. He returns to God again, to receive further directions. When”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 9:15: 9:15 the one who mediates: This term refers to an arbiter in a difficult legal dispute or political disagreement. In the old covenant, Moses and the angels were understood as mediators between God and the people (Gal 3:19-20). In the new covenant, Christ mediates the relationship between God and people by his sacrificial death (Heb 8:6; 12:24; Rom 6:23; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 Pet 3:18) and ongoing intercession (Heb 7:25).”
- Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 33 (introduction): In this chapter we have a further account of the mediation of Moses between God and Israel, for the making up of the breach that sin had made between them. I. He brings a very humbling message from God to them (Exo 33:1-3, Exo 33:5), which has a good effect upon them, and helps to prepare them for mercy (Exo 33:4, Exo 33:6). II. He settles a correspondence between God and them, and both God and the people signify their approbation of that correspondence, God by descending in a cloudy pillar, and the people by worshipping at the tent doors (Exo 33:7-11”