A Foundation of Grace: Moses, Joshua, and Jesus

Photo courtesy of Travis Longmore at Lighstock

Here's something interesting to think about. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were led by Joshua. Moses was not allowed to go. Why was that? I think sometimes we think God was harsh for not allowing Moses to go in, since he had led them that whole way. But I think there is a bigger picture here.

Joshua is a type of Christ. In Hebrew his name is "Yehoshua," which means, "the Lord is salvation." He led the Israelites into the Promised Land. It was a land of great blessings for them, that they did not work for.

To me this sounds like Jesus. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, and also means "the Lord is salvation" or "Yahweh saves."

Jesus leads us into our Promised Land, which is life in Christ. It is a land flowing with milk and honey, a land we didn’t work for, full of the richest blessings that Jesus paid for with his life.

So, again, why couldn’t Moses go into the Promised Land with the Israelites? If you remember, once during the Gospels Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a high mountain. Elijah and Moses appeared and started talking with Jesus. Moses is a picture of the law, and Elijah is a picture of the prophets.

While they were talking, this happened:

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters— one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”…Matthew 17:4-5 (BSB)

The reason Moses couldn’t go into the Promised Land is because the law cannot go in with you to your Promised Land in Christ. Moses was a picture of the law, even in the Old Testament account. Joshua, a type of Jesus led the Israelites in, just as Jesus leads us as Believers into our Promised Land.

Romans 6:14 says,

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (NKJV)

Isn’t it beautiful that God put this picture for us in this Old Testament account of us going into the Promised Land without the law?

To read more in the series, please join me here, at A Foundation of Grace.