There are parallel accounts in the Bible that are sometimes recognized later as a sign of something to come.

One of these is when the introduction of Moses in Exodus runs in parallel with St. Matthew’s introduction of Jesus.

The opening of each book recalls parental provisions for the protection of the child.

The first chapter of Exodus tells of an order by Pharoah that the male children born to the Hebrews were to be destroyed. The mother of Moses, knowing of the order, sought to protect the child and made a floatable basket for him to be placed in the river.

When Pharoah’s daughter came to bathe and noticed the basket, she had pity for the child and ended up calling on the child’s mother to nurse the child, whom she would later adopt (and name him Moses).

As he grew, he would be the one to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt to freedom.

Matthew chapter two takes up a similar account.

When Jesus was born, and news reached King Herod, he ordered the killing of the children of Bethlehem and its environs 2 years old and younger.

In a dream, Joseph was warned of the danger and took the Child and His mother to Egypt until the death of Herod. Matthew 2:15 quotes from Hosea 11:1 “Out of Egypt, I have called my son.”

There are many more occasions that St. Matthew’s Gospel references or compares Christ with things that formerly referred to Moses. Noticing these comparisons can open our eyes to things in today’s world that run parallel in the same way.

It offers us the opportunity to interact with our present times.

Pastor Fr. Bill Hodgson is the priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4948 or stedwardcassville@ gmail.com.