St. Prophet Moses – seer of Christ beyond the historical time –

Διαδώστε:

The time of our history is not a simple horizontal development of a chain of physical, chemical or biological processes. The events of our history include fragments of eternity that testify to our noble origin – that is, as creatures constituted by the will of a Creator. The eternity of God throws deep its roots in the time and space of our life and history.

For the author of the hymns about the prophet Moses, the miracle of encountering and seeing God as much as possible to man is such an event. It is not just a punctual and wonderful event. It is a prophetic event that speaks of what would happen later: “Being covered with stone, you have not seen the image of God as the One that is hidden; but only the back that imagines the Incarnation of the Word, which you have known, the seer of God” (Hymn 5). The understanding of the composer and that of the Church is that the event of seeing God from the cave where Moses stand is the image or the foreshadowing of a much more important and decisive event for humanity and for its salvation. The event is the image of God’s coming into the flesh. Man could not see God face to face, but the Creator found the best solution to be close to man, to meet him in intimacy, and to unite with him. The incarnation, the human image of Jesus taken from the Virgin Mary, is the image through which God can be seen by man and live. The true nature and divine identity are revealed ‘as much as possible’ to the Holy Apostles at the Transfiguration of the Savior on Mount Tabor. The fact that Moses is present with Elijah near the transfigured Savior strengthens this understanding. Moses actually contemplates prophetically in the event of the sight of God, sheltered in the cave, the incarnation of Christ the Savior. God secretly reveals Himself behind human material nature that He makes transparent to divine grace and energies.

“Ascending to the height of goodness, Holy Prophet Moses, you have become worthy to see the Brightness of God, receiving the tablets given by God; and having the gift of the prophecy, you has made honor to the prophets, and to the great mystery of the righteousness” (Troparion ton 2). The words of God that would ordain the spiritual and social life of the Jewish people in preparation for the reception of the Son of God at the ‘fulfillment of time’ were to be inscribed in stone by the Holy Prophet Moses and kept in the Holy of Holies of the Old Testament Temple as a visible sign of eternity for which man was created. At the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, these eternal words will be marked in the heart and conscience of man and not in transient matter. Man’s conscience will become the host and the medium on which the eternal words of God will be engraved.

“The company of the prophets with Moses and Aaron is rejoicing today, for the end of their prophecy has been fulfilled for us. Today shines the Cross, through which you saved us, Christ God. With whose prayers have mercy on us” (kontakion ton 2). Prophet Moses, his importance and role in the history of mankind is actually given by the finality of his life and deeds which are preparatory and prophetic of the coming of the Son of God among us. The time of prophecy is over. Everything is accomplished for our salvation. In Christ all are given and fulfilled for the salvation of man. The Holy Prophet Moses was led by the Spirit of God to deeds that manifest our history as the bearer of divine grace.

† Ioan Casian

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

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