“Scholars have noted how the story of Elijah parallels many incidents in the life of Moses. Like Moses, Elijah confronts and condemns abusive royal power. Like Moses, he calls the people to recognize and worship Yahweh alone. More particularly, both prophets flee eastward to escape a king’s wrath, each finds lodging with a family, and each returns to challenge royal power. Each leaves the country again on a journey to the same mountain [Sinai], where each experiences a theophany. Again, like Moses, Elijah is fed miraculous food. Both complain to God about mistreatment of His faithful servant. Above all, Elijah’s contest with the priests of Baal reminds the reader of Moses’ contest with the magicians of the pharaoh.”
—Kenneth L. Woodward, “The Book of Miracles”, pp. 61-62
Gary: Interesting.
And what about Jesus and Moses? Woodward gives hints he will address the similarities between Jesus’ miracles and those of Moses in a future chapter, but for now, can any of my readers see any similarities between the Moses Story and the Jesus Story?
Well, how about this: Both must hide or be hidden from an evil king who wishes to kill them. Moses flees from Egypt to escape the evil king, while Jesus flees to Egypt to escape the evil king. And get this: Both Moses and Elijah go to a mountain to see/hear God (each experiences a theophany), whereas in the Jesus story, Jesus goes to a mountain (the Mountain of The Transfiguration) where he hears God (a theophany) declare him to be His son. And, guess who is there with Jesus on the mountain ?
…Moses and Elijah!
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
The voice of God, in a burning bush, on a mountain, declaring Moses to be the savior of his people! The voice of God, in a cloud, on a mountain, declaring Jesus to be his Son, the savior of his people (the messiah), and ultimately, the savior of the entire world!
Coincidences?
Hmm.
Most scholars today believe that Moses was a mythical nationalist folk legend. So if both the Elijah Story and the Jesus Story are patterned after the (fictional) Moses Story, what does that tell you about the historical reliability of both the Old Testament and the Gospels???
It is all a tall tale, friends.
Escaping Christian Fundamentalism 