Moses & History (part 1)
Moses & History (part 1)
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
We recently received an email from a student who heard us teach at a camp and is now attending college. The camper wrote:
We have been talking about Genesis and the birth of Moses, and my professor has mentioned several times that those pieces of the Bible may not be historically accurate, but are just told to depict a characteristic of God. I know you mentioned that the Bible is one of the most historically accurate books we have, and that is not lining up with this new content I am being told. Do you view the story of creation and for example the birth of Moses to be completely written as it happened or not? I am very confused how we believe the Bible is infallible while still believing content like that is not true, but more of a literary element. I know this is a deep question and you are very busy, but if you get a chance and could give me some guidance I would greatly appreciate it.
The following is part 1 of our response:
The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus’ words in John 5:46,
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.”
In that chapter, Jesus confirms the Jewish belief that Moses, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, composed the Torah/Pentateuch. Moses is mentioned by name 79 times in the New Testament as a real person in real history who truly wrote Genesis–Deuteronomy.
Regarding Jesus, here is what He said about Moses’ authorship:
Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14 – Jesus said Moses wrote the Torah, specifically the leprosy laws in Leviticus 14.
Matthew 19:7-8 & Mark 10:3-5 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the Torah, specifically marriage laws in Deuteronomy 24.
Matthew 22:24-32, Mark 12:19-27, Luke 20:28-38 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the Torah, as He specifically declared the writings of Moses are “Scripture” (Matt. 22:29 & Mark 12:24). He also confirmed Moses recorded the inheritance laws in Deuteronomy 25 and quoted Exodus 3:6 as real history and Scripture written by Moses.
Mark 7:10 – Jesus specifically said Moses wrote down in the Torah the Ten Commandments as well as the passages of Exodus 21 and Leviticus 20.
John 3:14 – Jesus confirmed the historicity of Numbers 21, including Moses and the bronze serpent.
John 6:31-32 – Jesus confirmed the historicity of Exodus 16, including Moses and the provision of manna.
John 7:19-24 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the entire Torah (verse 19) and specifically the Sabbath and circumcision laws.
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 22:29 and Mark 12:24 that Moses' five books are Scripture is highly significant. The Greek word for "Scripture" (graphé) is used 51 times, including II Timothy 3:16, which says, “All Scripture is God-breathed”. The New Testament is adamant that the Old Testament, in particularly the first 5 books, are directly inspired by God. They were regarded by Jesus, the Apostles, and all Jewish people of that time as genuine, factual history.
Here is what I never hear professors who deny the historicity of Genesis, Exodus, etc., address: Was Jesus wrong when He taught that Genesis through Exodus is real history? If so, what does that do to His credibility and deity?
In Matthew 19:4-5, Jesus specifically quoted Genesis 1:27, 2:24, and 5:2 as real history; Jesus taught the Creation account was real history. He referred to Abel (Matthew 23:35) as the first prophet, a real person in history, confirming the historicity of Genesis 4. In Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-27, Jesus confirmed the historicity of Noah and the global flood (Genesis 6-9). And in Luke 17:28-32, Jesus confirmed the historicity of Lot and Sodom & Gomorrah, including his wife turning into salt (Genesis 19).
Jesus made it very clear that everything in Genesis is real history. For someone to deny that is to say Jesus was wrong or that someone knows more than Jesus. The rest of the inspired New Testament authors all agree with Jesus with numerous references to Genesis, Exodus, etc. as real history with real people.
