Often, I’m amazed at how interconnected the lives of the prophets were–how similar their struggles and triumphs. And even more startling is how each of them, in some way, resembled the life of Christ. They increase our appreciation of the Son of God, who was also called a Prophet by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15.
Everything God does is intentional, and that certainly applies to how He chooses those who communicate His messages. The lives of the prophets, without realizing it, help us understand the plan of salvation, by helping us recognize the One who does the saving, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Abraham and Moses
These two leaders were chosen to establish covenant agreements between themselves and God, and to guide His people to a Land of Promise they would inherit if they kept His covenantal law and commandments. Moses was a sixth-generation descendant of Abraham, and, like Abraham, had direct, divine communication with the Lord. They shared a deep faith and boldness in carrying out their difficult missions despite many personal trials along the way, coupled with extraordinary manifestations of God’s power.
Abraham prefigured Christ in many ways. Probably one of the most distinct parallels was when he was asked to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, showing us the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God on Mount Calvary. Even Isaac’s quiet acceptance of his father’s task was like Jesus, being “led as a lamb to the slaughter” and not opening His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). And let’s not forget the intercessory role Abraham had by pleading for Sodom and Gomorrah. This mirrors the intercessory work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:15). Moses, on the other hand, delivered the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt, much as Christ has delivered us from the bondage of sin. Both Moses and Jesus narrowly escaped death decrees when they were infants. They both were also strongly rejected by jealous family members. For Moses, his brother Aaron and sister Miriam. For Jesus, His own people, almost the whole nation of Israel.
Joseph and Daniel
Now let’s examine the similarities of Joseph and Daniel. They were both Hebrew exiles, taken to foreign lands (Joseph to Egypt and later Daniel to Babylon). There, they were given foreign names and rose to power by interpreting the dreams of powerful, foreign monarchs. Their wise counsel caused them to be promoted and become top, trusted advisors, which later helped God’s people return to their promised homeland of Canaan and Jerusalem. These two prophets are noted for their moral integrity. Despite living in idolatrous cultures, the Bible records no mistakes or sins committed by either of them, which is rather unusual for the lives and stories of characters in the Scriptures. God doesn’t sugarcoat our faults, but is quite honest in recording them.
Now, let’s think about Jesus. He left heaven, in a sense making Him an exile on this sinful, immoral planet. His holy, sinless life and loving ministry led to Him being recognized in heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords, the highest position in the whole universe. You can’t be promoted more than that! In addition, He has always been instrumental in helping us return to our Edenic existence. Someday, He will take the righteous to the Promised Land of Canaan, the New Jerusalem.
Elijah and John the Baptist
Now, here’s an interesting pair of prophets, who were called to prepare a people to receive great blessings. Although Elijah lived about 900 years before John, they were very close in appearance and lifestyle, wearing rugged, coarse garments of animal hair, and spending much of their time in a wilderness setting. On the other hand, unlike Joseph and Daniel, they didn’t help powerful leaders by interpreting their dreams. Instead, they bravely confronted and rebuked King Ahab and King Herod Antipas, leading to their intense persecution. Elijah and John both received death threats from wicked queens (Jezebel and Herodias). They both had moments of discouragement and doubt concerning their prophetic calling. Finally, it must also be noted the way Elijah stepped out of the way for his successor Elisha that was similar to the gracious way John stepped out of the way for his cousin Jesus. “He must increase, but I must decrease,” he said (John 3:30).
There is much in Christ’s life that resembles these two prophets. Jesus, too, had a preparatory purpose: to prepare and equip those who would preach after His Resurrection. Like Elijah and John, He emphasized the judgment and the need to repent of our sins. Jesus was sought after by those in authority. Revelation even talks symbolically about a scarlet woman, the mother of harlots (in other words, an apostate church) pursuing the Lamb of God. Another Jezebel, if you will. The human side of His nature also led Jesus to feelings of despair and loss as the time of His death was near. This was seen by the prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He asked that His cup of suffering be removed; and later, on the cross, when He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Conclusion
God has given us every opportunity to recognize the Seed promised to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). He never stops reaching out to us, in order to find ways to lead us out of the wilderness, the bondage of sin, and into His heavenly Kingdom. No matter how many times you read and study the Bible, you will find fresh and interesting ways to know and understand His will for your life. “Search the Scriptures…for they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39 KJV).
Learn more about other prophets and prophecy in our Sabbath school lessons this quarter by visiting.. https://www.outlookmag.org/author/teresathompson/
(Hint: the Bible verses in Outlook magazine are also hyperlinks that take you to the verse.)
