Moses, Mediator of the Old Covenant

Moses stands at the turning point of Scripture where God takes a redeemed people and binds them to Himself by oath and word. Through him the Lord brings Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand, meets them at Sinai, and gives a way of life that marks them as His own (Exodus 20:1–2). In that role Moses serves as the mediator—go-between who represents both sides—of the Old Covenant—the law given through Moses—standing between a holy God and a rescued nation (Exodus 19:3–6; Deuteronomy 5:5).

The Bible does not hide his frailty, and that honesty makes his calling more striking. He is born under a death sentence, raised in Pharaoh’s house, exiled to Midian, summoned by flame, and sent back to confront the most powerful throne on earth (Exodus 2:1–10; Exodus 3:1–10). In his story we learn how God forms a leader, how God gives a covenant, and how all of this points forward to the One whom Moses promised would come, “a prophet like me” who would speak God’s words with final weight (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22).

Words: 2638 / Time to read: 14 minutes

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Historical and Cultural Background

Israel’s bondage in Egypt sets the stage. Pharaoh feared the growth of Israel and ordered the killing of baby boys, yet the Lord preserved Moses through the courage of his family and the kindness of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 1:15–22; Exodus 2:1–10). Raised amid Egyptian learning, Moses became “powerful in speech and action,” but his first attempt to act as rescuer ended in flight after he killed an Egyptian and was rejected by his own people (Acts 7:22–29). He spent forty years in Midian as a shepherd, a season that stripped him of self-confidence and prepared him to hear God’s call (Exodus 2:15–22; Acts 7:30).

The decisive moment came at Horeb, when the Lord appeared in a flame of fire from within a bush that burned but was not consumed (Exodus 3:2). The ground was holy because God was there, and the voice from the fire tied Moses to the fathers—“the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob”—and to a present deliverance that would display God’s name (Exodus 3:6; Exodus 3:14–15). The Lord equipped Moses with signs, joined him with Aaron, and sent them to demand Israel’s release so that the people could serve God (Exodus 4:1–17; Exodus 5:1).

Egypt’s power could not withstand God’s word. With signs and wonders the Lord judged Egypt’s gods, redeemed His people by the blood of the Passover lamb, and brought them out with an uplifted arm (Exodus 12:12–14; Exodus 12:51; Exodus 13:14). At the sea He turned danger into deliverance as Israel passed through on dry ground and the waters returned on Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14:21–28). On the far shore Moses and Israel sang, “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation,” confessing that the God who saves also shepherds His people to His holy dwelling (Exodus 15:2; Exodus 15:13).

Biblical Narrative

The journey to Sinai led Israel to the mountain of God, where the covenant was proposed and accepted. The Lord reminded them of grace—“how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself”—and then set the covenant terms: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” (Exodus 19:4–5). The people answered together, “We will do everything the Lord has said” (Exodus 19:8). The Ten Commandments followed, along with judgments and ordinances that shaped Israel’s worship, justice, and community life (Exodus 20:1–17; Exodus 21–23). The covenant was ratified with blood as Moses read the Book of the Covenant and the people pledged obedience; Moses sprinkled the blood and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you” (Exodus 24:7–8).

Moses then ascended the mountain to receive detailed instructions for the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrifices that would make it possible for a holy God to dwell among a sinful people (Exodus 25:8–9; Exodus 29:42–46). While he was on the mountain, Israel made a golden calf, and judgment fell; yet Moses interceded, pleading for God’s presence and glory to remain with the people (Exodus 32:1–10; Exodus 33:14–19). God renewed the covenant, proclaimed His name—“The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”—and the tabernacle was built so that God’s glory would fill the camp (Exodus 34:6–7; Exodus 40:34–38).

Across the wilderness years Moses bore the burdens of leadership with a shepherd’s heart and a prophet’s courage. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram challenged Aaron’s priesthood and Moses’ authority, the Lord vindicated His order by a striking sign. The staffs of the tribal leaders were placed before the Lord, and the next day Aaron’s staff had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds, a living sign from dead wood (Numbers 17:6–8). That miracle taught the people that God Himself appoints the way by which sinners may draw near, and He does so by giving life where there was none (Numbers 17:10–11). Moses also failed. In anger he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, and the Lord told him he would not bring the assembly into the land (Numbers 20:10–12). He saw the land from a distance and died in Moab, buried by the Lord, while Joshua led Israel across the Jordan (Deuteronomy 34:1–7; Joshua 1:1–2).

The New Testament reflects on these events to warn and to comfort. Paul writes that the fathers “were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea,” and that “they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ,” yet most fell because of unbelief and disobedience (1 Corinthians 10:1–5). Stephen retells Moses’ story to show how God raised up the very man Israel first rejected and sent him as ruler and redeemer, a pattern that foreshadows Israel’s response to the greater Deliverer (Acts 7:35–36). The letter to the Hebrews holds Moses up as an example of faith: he chose mistreatment with the people of God over the treasures of Egypt because he looked ahead to his reward (Hebrews 11:24–26).

Theological Significance

Moses’ office reveals both the goodness and the limits of the covenant he mediated. The law was holy, righteous, and good; it taught Israel to love God and neighbor and to worship in ways that reflected His purity and mercy (Romans 7:12; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5). The covenant carried real promises and real warnings. Blessing in the land followed obedience, and curse followed rebellion, a moral shape made clear in Moses’ sermons near the end of his life (Deuteronomy 28:1–2; Deuteronomy 28:15). The covenant’s conditional terms showed Israel that life with God could not be reduced to ritual or national pride; it called for hearing, trusting, and doing what God said (Deuteronomy 30:11–14).

At the same time the law exposed a deeper need. By design it identified sin and shut mouths, making plain that no one could be declared righteous by the works of the law (Romans 3:19–20). It was a guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith, not by our performance (Galatians 3:24–26). Moses himself promised a coming prophet like him to whom Israel must listen, a promise the apostles apply to Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22–23). “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” John says, not to belittle Moses, but to show fulfillment in the One to whom Moses’ ministry pointed (John 1:17).

As mediator, Moses stood between God and the people, receiving “living words to pass on” and interceding when they sinned (Acts 7:38; Exodus 32:11–14). That role prepares us to understand Christ as the mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises, with a better priesthood and a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:11–15). The old arrangement could cleanse the flesh and order the nation; the new brings forgiveness written on hearts and the Spirit who empowers obedience (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:26–27). Moses covered a nation with blood from bulls and goats; Jesus covers a people from every nation with His own blood, a redemption that truly makes clean (Hebrews 10:1–10; Revelation 5:9).

A dispensational reading honors the progress of God’s plan across the ages without blending Israel and the church. Under Moses God governed Israel by the law in the land, making His name known among the nations (Deuteronomy 4:6–8). In this present time He forms the church—Jews and Gentiles in one body—through faith in Christ apart from works of law (Ephesians 2:14–16; Romans 3:28). He has not set aside His oaths; the gifts and calling of God for Israel are irrevocable, and He will keep every promise He spoke by Moses and the prophets (Romans 11:28–29; Micah 7:20). The glory that shone on Moses’ face fades; the glory in the face of Christ transforms lives now and will fill the world in the day to come (2 Corinthians 3:7–11; 2 Corinthians 4:6).

Spiritual Lessons and Application

First, learn how God’s grace precedes command. The Lord rescued Israel before He spoke Sinai’s words. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt,” comes before “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2–3). The same order holds in the gospel. We obey not to earn love but because we have been loved and bought at a price (Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 Corinthians 6:20). Gratitude fuels holiness, and worship fuels obedience.

Second, receive the law as a mirror and a guide but not a ladder. The commandments show God’s character and reveal our need. They teach us what love looks like, but they cannot give the life they describe (Romans 7:7–10). When the mirror exposes sin, we flee to Christ, and the Spirit writes the same righteousness on our hearts with living power (Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 8:3–4). In this way Moses still serves the Christian, not as a way of earning favor, but as a teacher pointing to Christ and to a holy life that fits the grace we have received (Galatians 3:24; Titus 2:11–12).

Third, embrace intercession as part of leadership and love. Moses stood in the breach when Israel sinned, pleading for the people on the basis of God’s name and promises (Psalm 106:23; Exodus 32:11–13). Parents, pastors, and friends can do the same. We bring others before God with boldness because we have a greater intercessor who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Prayer is not a last resort; it is a faithful act that aligns us with God’s mercy and moves us to patient service (Colossians 4:2).

Fourth, honor God’s appointed way of approach. When the people challenged Aaron’s priesthood, the Lord caused a dead staff to blossom, showing that He gives life and sets the path by which sinners draw near (Numbers 17:8–10). Today Christ is that way. “No one comes to the Father except through me,” He says (John 14:6). We do not invent worship; we receive it. We come by His blood, through His priesthood, and we find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 10:19–22).

Fifth, heed the warnings written in Israel’s wilderness story. Paul says these events “occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things,” naming idolatry, immorality, testing Christ, and grumbling as roads that lead to ruin (1 Corinthians 10:6–10). The aim is not despair but alertness. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall,” followed by a promise that God will provide a way out so we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:12–13). The God who parted the sea is faithful in our temptations too.

Finally, follow Moses’ forward gaze. He chose reproach with the people of God over the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward (Hebrews 11:24–26). He saw the invisible and endured. Christians walk the same path, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and sat down at God’s right hand (Hebrews 12:2). When obedience is costly, hope steadies our steps.

Conclusion

Moses’ name is written large across Israel’s story because God used him to bring a redeemed people to a holy mountain and to inscribe words that frame a nation’s life. He was a servant in God’s house, faithful with what was given to him, a leader who prayed, taught, and bore sorrows (Numbers 12:7; Deuteronomy 34:10–12). Through him we see the beauty of a covenant that ordered worship and life and the weakness of a covenant that could not change hearts. We see a shepherd who failed and was forgiven, a judge who spoke for God and begged for mercy, a prophet who promised Another.

That “Another” has come. Christ fulfills what Moses began. He keeps the law, bears the curse, writes the law on hearts, and ushers sinners into the presence of God with a righteousness not their own (Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:13; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Moses brought Israel to the edge of the land; Jesus brings His people all the way home. The story of Moses, when read with the whole Bible open, strengthens faith, sobers pride, and turns our eyes to the Son in whom every promise finds its “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. (Hebrews 3:5–6)

Bonus Video

There are far too many important events included in the story of Moses to review in this forum.  Instead I will include one of my favorite stories which comes from Numbers 16-17.  During this time period, the leadership of Moses and his brother Aaron, the high priest, were challenged.  The Lord settled the dispute by causing Aaron’s staff, which was a dead piece of wood fashioned into a  walking stick, to bud overnight.  That miracle is a beautiful picture, or type, of the resurrection of Christ, the antitype. Though the antitype would not happen for many generations in the distant future, it was prophetically demonstrated by God in Moses’ day.  This was significant because the covenant that Moses was the mediator of would end in death if it was not kept.  But God offered hope in demonstrating that he had the ability to bring things that were dead back to life and prosperity.  This is exactly the message that needed to be received.  And God did it in a way that was indisputable, not with mere words or promises, but with a demonstration which removed all doubt of his ability and intention.  

My hobby for a period was to memorize Scripture and post it to my Instagram account, @woody_brohm.  Here is a video with my explanation of these verses: