Shemot {11:3} HaSHEM gave the people favor in the sight of the Mizrayim (Egyptians). Moreover the ish (man) Moshe was very great in the land of Mitzrayim , in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

Can you imagine that! The people, Mitzrayim (Egypt), had just experienced nine devastating plagues and the death of every firstborn man, woman, child and animal in the land. Yet this Scripture tells us that everyone in Mitzrayim including Pharaoh’s servants, found favour with Moses. Despite everything they just went through, the total destruction Mitzrayim was left in, “... the ish (man) Moshe was very great in the land of Mitzrayim …” But do you notice that there is something missing here? Shemot 11:13 tells us that the people favoured Moshe and that even Pharaoh's servants favoured Moshe, but nowhere does it say that Pharaoh himself favoured Moshe. I think the reason for this can be explained very simply, so I am going to make this explanation the subject of my d’var for Parasha Bo.

We are all aware that later on in Torah, near his death, Moshe promises B’nei Yisrael (the children of Israel) that G-d would send them a prophet like himself and that they should listen to this prophet and follow Him. D’varim (Deuteronomy) {18:15} HaSHEM your G-D will raise up to you a Navi (prophet) from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me; to him you shall listen...

This Prophet, we all know, is Yeshua. While on earth, Scripture indicates that Yeshua functioned in two distinct offices. The first office was that of prophet, the second, which occurred just prior to His crucifixion and continues to this very day is the office of Priest. Upon His return Yeshua will function, according to Scripture in the office of King.

Moshe therefore, was a type of Messiah. In fact he was and is today considered a saviour of the Jewish people by unbelievers. But there is another, a very interesting parallel, which emerges from Shemot 11:1. One that shows us an additional similarity between the life of Moshe and the life of Yeshua. Please follow along with me as you read the following statement Yeshua made to His disciples:

Yochanan (John) {15:18} If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.

When Yeshua made this statement He was not referring to the common people, they in fact did not all hate Him. He was referring to the leadership of Israel at that time, the Pharisees and Scribes. They hated Yeshua and wanted Him dead and out of the way. However, tens of thousands, perhaps even millions, of common people, although they may not have all agreed with His teachings and follow Him, did admire Him.

You see, when the common citizens of Mitzrayim saw Moshe, I mean the average man on the street, Scriptures tell us they admired him. These were people who previously relied on the gods of Mitzrayim, which now lay broken, powerless and defeated. In seeing Moshe therefore, the people of Mitzrayim saw the G-d of Israel, the one true G-d, in action. This Scripture is fulfillment of G-d’s promise made to Moshe in Parasha Vaeira. Shemot {7:1} HaSHEM said to Moshe, "Behold, I have made you as G-D to Pharaoh; and Aharon your brother shall be your Navi.

Moshe so reflected G-d, so honoured G-d that the populace of Mitzrayim respected him even though they did not necessarily agree with him. Like Yeshua, Moshe came in judgment, but they recognized it as the judgment of the all-powerful G-d. Plus, it never came without warning. Moshe, like Yeshua, always spoke the truth in love, with patience and in authority. That is why the people respected him, even though they did not agree with him. Moshe, like Yeshua, was a man beyond reproach. In Moshe they saw the concept of G-d lived out in human form, yet they did not see Moshe they saw G-d through him. Truly, Moshe was a type of Yeshua. Now please do not misunderstand me, Moshe was not sinless, he sinned, but he lived a life above reproach, both publicly and privately.

The question you need to ask yourself from this Parasha is, “Are you living a life above reproach?” Not sinless, but above reproach? Is your conduct in the sight of unbelievers where you work, where you live or where you study, such that it reflects Yeshua? When people look at you are they seeing G-d in action? It does not matter whether or not they agree with your teachings or your life style. If you are reflecting G-d, speaking the truth in love and with patience, yet with authority, they will respect you!

Mishlei (Proverbs) {16:7} When a man's ways please the L-RD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2002