Moses

Moses and the ten commandments, James Tissot (1836-1902), Jewish Museum, New York

Moses appears only once in the Gospel as in the work of Maria Valtorta: during the The Transfiguration of the Lord. However, he is often mentioned. He is the first character to be called "man of God" in the Bible. A central figure of the Old Testament, Moses is, according to the Catholic Church, the foreshadowing of Christ as liberator, lawgiver, and mediator of the Covenant.

Moses in the Gospel

The Gospels present Moses as a central figure of the Old Testament, foreshadowing Christ as liberator, lawgiver, and mediator of the Covenant.

The Law given by Moses is fulfilled and surpassed in Jesus. It is in this context that Moses sometimes appears in symbolic parallels, sometimes in explicit references. Moses is seen alive only once, in conversation with Jesus, confirming his messianic mission.

Jesus refers to Moses to authenticate his own authority, which fulfills the law: "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

Jesus does not abolish:

• "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. Therefore, all that they tell you, do and observe."

• "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them!"

He fulfills:

• "Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me also, for he wrote about me."

• "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." – "You have heard it said ... But I tell you ...."

• "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven."

• "Just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

The Gospels reserve for Moses the role of great liberator and lawgiver of Israel, whose Law and deeds announce and prepare Christ, who is the true fulfilled Moses. This view is held by Catholic tradition.

In the work of Maria Valtorta

Moses is mentioned 24 times:

1. "the serpent elevated by Moses on a cross." This citation in reference to Numbers 21:8-9 will frequently recur in the work.
2. "He [God] granted the power of working miracles to Moses. He did not grant it to Aaron, His first High Priest."
3. "Remember Moses. He raised a serpent in the desert to heal the diseases of Israel."
4. "The Book states that the Lord showed Himself on Sinai in all His fearful might, to say by means of it: “I am God. This is My will."
5. "I solemnly tell you that Moses in a fit of anger broke the Tables of the Law when he saw the people in idolatry. Later he climbed the mountain, prayed, adored and obtained grace. "
6. "And do that because it is prescribed by the Law given by God to Moses, who is our Legislator, just because while he was a defenceless baby, in a hostile land of idols, he found a merciful heart that knelt down to save him from death, rescuing him from the river, freeing him from persecutions, because God had destined that Israel should one day have her liberator. So, an act of compassion obtained for Israel her leader."
7. "Do you remember old Moses praying while Joshua was fighting in the name of the Lord?"
8. Peter pronounces the Mosaic blessing over Syntyche and John of Endor departing into exile.
9. "But remember that not even the Red Sea prevented the Israelites from going on the way pointed out to them by God. [...] Remember what they sang at the well of the water given by God [...]"
10. Moses, Elijah and the voice of the Father during the Transfiguration.
11. "You are wrong. Not Moses but the Lord was able to do so. And in Exodus we read: “Now I will rain down bread from the heavens. Let the people go out and gather what is sufficient for each day, so that I may test whether the people will follow My law or not. [...] [Moses] saw the glory of God and heard the voice of the Most High, and was the guardian of the precepts and of the Law of life and science [...]"
12. "The Bread that descended from Heaven in the days of Moses was placed in the gold Ark[3], which supported the Mercy Seat and was watched over by Cherubim, behind the veils of the Tabernacle."
13. The revolt of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, who claimed equality with Moses and Aaron.
14. "No, mother. Like Moses[3], you will die without knowing that day [of Jesus' triumph]."
15. And what do you like, child? [...] "And Moses, no?" – "He frightens me... Too great..."
16. The waters of Meribah (the rock smitten by the staff), the refusal of Edom, the death of Aaron.
17. "My dear friends, I will repeat to you the words[5] which Moses spoke to Joshua the son· of Nun when he complained because Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp [...]"
18. A Pharisee: «You are talking nonsense. Who has seen what is God? Not even Moses saw God [...] The face of Moses, who had only heard Him speak, remained brightly radiant.»
19. "Moses parted the waters and he struck the rock, Joshua stopped the sun, Elijah raised the boy from death and made the sky give rain, but God was with them."
20. Imprecations of the Sanhedrin against the possible perjury of Judas: "May the Lord strike you with all the Mosaic curses and scatter you among the nations."
21. A Pharisee: "If a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow, giving offspring to his brother.” Now there were seven brothers among us."
22. "Remember the mighty Pharaohs who oppressed the Jews in the days of Moses."
23. "When the Most High ordered Moses to make the ark and the altar of incense, did He not want them pierced with rings, so that they could be lifted and carried wherever the Lord wanted?"
24. About the "Confirmation: 'As a regal Sacrament, little inferior to the Priesthood, it must have the solemnity of Mosaic consecrations with the imposition of hands and the unction with scented oil, which was once used to consecrate Priests."

First part of the Bible from the book of Genesis until before the coming of Jesus Christ. Parallel

Second part of the Bible, from the coming of Jesus Christ until the Apocalypse.