Joshua Replicates Moses
The following paragraphs and bullet list are reformated paragraphs extracted from Christine Elizabeth Hayes’ book Introduction to the Bible (The Open Yale Courses Series) (pp. 167-168). Yale University Press. Kindle Edition.
In several ways, Joshua seems to replicate Moses (Coogan, Old Testament, 199–201):
- Moses brings the Israelites across the reed sea, the waters standing in a heap and the people crossing on dry land; Joshua brings the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the waters standing in a heap and the people crossing on dry land (Josh 3:13, 4:7, 5:1).
- After the crossing, the Israelites observe the Passover, creating a strong link to the Exodus led by Moses at the time of the first Passover (Josh 5:10).
- Moses beholds the vision of a burning bush and is told to remove his shoes because he is on holy ground; Joshua beholds the vision of a man with a drawn sword who tells him to remove his shoes because he is on holy ground (5:13–15).
- Moses mediates a covenant between Yahweh and Israel at Sinai; Joshua mediates a renewal of the covenant at Shechem (Josh 24).
- Moses sends spies to scout out the land, and Joshua sends spies to scout out the land (Josh 2:1).
- Moses holds out a rod during battle so that Israel will prevail over her enemies, and Joshua holds out his javelin for the same reason (8:18–20).
All of these parallels indicate the narrative importance of Moses as the paradigmatic leader of the Israelites. Indeed, it is said of Joshua after the Israelites cross into the Promised Land: “On that day Yahweh exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, so that they revered him all his days as they had revered Moses” (Josh 4:14). No greater praise can be given to a leader than to be compared to Moses.
Jesus Replicates Moses
Response to the first Prompt to ChatGPT:
The Gospel of Matthew intentionally presents Jesus as a new Moses, drawing parallels between Jesus’ life and the story of Moses. Here are key passages where Jesus replicates aspects of Moses’ life, along with scriptural references:
1. The Birth Narrative and the Slaughter of Infants
- Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV) – King Herod orders the massacre of infants, similar to Pharaoh’s decree in Exodus 1:15-22.
- Matthew 2:19-21 (NRSV) – Jesus’ return from Egypt parallels Moses leading Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 4:19-20).
2. Jesus as the Lawgiver on a Mountain
- Matthew 5–7 (NRSV) – The Sermon on the Mount echoes Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20).
- Matthew 5:1-2 (NRSV) – “He went up the mountain” mirrors Exodus 19:3 where Moses ascends Mount Sinai.
3. The 40 Days of Testing
- Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV) – Jesus fasts for 40 days in the wilderness, paralleling Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 9:9, 18).
4. The Five Major Discourses
- The structure of Matthew contains five major discourses (Matt. 5–7; 10; 13; 18; 24–25), mirroring the five books of Moses (Torah).
5. The Transfiguration and Moses’ Presence
- Matthew 17:1-8 (NRSV) – Jesus is transfigured on a mountain with Moses present, recalling Moses’ radiant face after encountering God (Exodus 34:29-35).
6. The Passover and the New Covenant
- Matthew 26:26-29 (NRSV) – The Last Supper establishes a new covenant, paralleling Moses sealing the Old Covenant with blood in Exodus 24:8.
Second Prompt: Do critical bible scholars find any other people in the Bible who are presented as replicating Moses? Cite all sources.
Yes, critical Bible scholars identify several figures in the Bible who are portrayed as replicating Moses. These figures are often depicted as new deliverers, lawgivers, or prophetic leaders, following patterns established in the story of Moses. Here are some key individuals and sources discussing these parallels:
1. Joshua – The Successor of Moses
Parallel: Joshua is portrayed as Moses’ direct successor, leading Israel into the Promised Land.
- Joshua 1:1-9 – God commissions Joshua just as He commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10-12).
- Joshua 3:14-17 – Joshua parts the Jordan River, just as Moses parted the Reed Sea (Exodus 14:21-22).
- Joshua 5:13-15 – Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord’s army, similar to Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6).
- Source: Michael Coogan, The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (2017).
2. Elijah – The Prophet Like Moses
Parallel: Elijah performs miracles similar to Moses and has a close relationship with God.
- 1 Kings 19:8-12 – Elijah spends 40 days and nights at Mount Horeb (Sinai), similar to Moses (Exodus 24:18).
- 2 Kings 2:8 – Elijah parts the Jordan River with his cloak, reminiscent of Moses and Joshua.
- Malachi 4:4-5 – Elijah is explicitly linked to Moses, emphasizing continuity in prophecy.
- Source: James Kugel, How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now (2007).
3. Elisha – The Heir to Elijah (and Moses)
Parallel: Elisha inherits Elijah’s prophetic role and performs miracles resembling Moses.
- 2 Kings 4:42-44 – Elisha miraculously feeds 100 people, prefiguring Jesus’ feeding miracles (Matthew 14:13-21), which also echo Moses and manna (Exodus 16).
- 2 Kings 5:10-14 – Elisha heals Naaman by having him wash in the Jordan, recalling Moses’ role in healing (Numbers 21:8-9).
- Source: Richard Elliott Friedman, Who Wrote the Bible? (1987).
4. King Josiah – A Second Moses in Reforming the Law
Parallel: Josiah’s reforms mirror Moses’ role in giving the Law.
- 2 Kings 22–23 – Josiah finds the “Book of the Law” and re-establishes covenantal obedience, just as Moses first delivers the Law at Sinai (Exodus 24:7).
- Source: William G. Dever, Beyond the Texts: An Archaeological Portrait of Ancient Israel and Judah (2017).
5. Jesus – The New Moses in Matthew
Parallel: As you asked before, Jesus is depicted as a new Moses, particularly in Matthew.
- Matthew 2:13-15 – Jesus, like Moses, is saved from a king’s decree.
- Matthew 5–7 – The Sermon on the Mount echoes Moses receiving the Law.
- Source: Dale C. Allison, The New Moses: A Matthean Typology (1993).
6. The “Prophet Like Moses” – A Messianic Figure
Parallel: Deuteronomy foretells another prophet like Moses.
- Deuteronomy 18:15-18 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…”
- This verse is later applied to Jesus (Acts 3:22, John 6:14) and, in Jewish traditions, sometimes to Elijah or the Messiah.
- Source: John J. Collins, The Scepter and the Star: Messianism in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls (2010).
Conclusion
Moses is a foundational figure in biblical tradition, and multiple leaders—Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, Josiah, and Jesus—are depicted as following his pattern in different ways. These parallels reinforce the continuity of divine leadership and covenant renewal throughout the biblical narrative.
