In this week’s Torah portion read in synagogues around the world “Shemot” (Exodus 1-5), the birth of Moses is described. There are several interesting parallels between the birth of Moses and Yeshua.
- “Maiden” Miriam
– The prophecy of a “virgin” giving birth to Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) uses a special word Alma, not the usual word for virgin Betulah. The word Alma is found in the story of Rebecca (Genesis 24:43), where it is also noted that she is a virgin (Genesis 24:16).
In the story of the birth of Moses, his sister Miriam is also called Alma (Exodus 2:8). The original name of Mary, the mother of Yeshua, is Miriam. So from Isaiah we learn that the Messiah will be born from the Alma. From Genesis we learn that the Alma will be a virgin. From Exodus we learn that her name will be Miriam. There is an Alma; she is a virgin; her name is Miriam; she gives birth to Immanuel.
- Slaughter of the Innocents – At Moses’ birth, the satanically inspired Pharaoh tried to kill all the Hebrew male babies in Egypt. At Yeshua’s birth, the satanically inspired Herod tried to kill all the Hebrew male babies in Bethlehem. This tragic battle over the birth of the Messianic seed started from the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) and continues to the End Times (Revelation 12:4, 17).
- The Name “Moses” – In Hebrew (or Egyptian) Moses’ name is Moshe. The word “mosheh” means to pull up out of water. The name contains a prophecy about God pulling up the Messiah out of hell at the time of the resurrection. The forces of death are referred to as “many waters” and the word “mosheh” is found in Psalm 18:16. So the birth of Moses contains in it a prophecy of the Messiah being lifted up out of hell.
- Birth of Savior – Both passages contain the prophetic birth of the “savior-redeemer”. Moses saved Israel from Egypt. Yeshua saved mankind from sin and death. Moses himself is an image of Yeshua (Deuteronomy 18:15).
- Angel of YHVH – In this same section, at the revelation of the burning bush, Moses meets Yeshua in His pre-birth form as the Angel of YHVH, who came down from heaven to save the people of Israel. The image of the Messenger Angel who is at the same time “I am that I am, the God of your forefathers” is an incarnation of God, parallel to Yeshua’s birth over a thousand years later.
- Firstborn – Israel is referred to as God’s “firstborn son” as a figure of Yeshua as the Firstborn Son of God (Exodus 4:22-23
- Circumcised – Yeshua (in the form of the Angel of YHVH) attempts to kill Moses because he forgot to circumcise his son. Yeshua Himself would be circumcised on the eighth day after His birth (Luke 2:21). The ministries of Moses and of Yeshua were based on God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.