A Prophet Like Moses
Waiting for Light to Come | Erik Reed
THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM AMONG YOU, FROM YOUR BROTHERS—IT IS TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN. DEUTERONOMY 18:15 (ESV)
The first great prophet in the Bible is Moses. He is an unlikely prophet because of his own self-professed lack of eloquence and not being an excellent speaker (Exodus 4:10). Moses spent his upbringing and developmental years in Egypt. He was a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but as Jacob’s family found refuge from famine in Egypt, many generations of Hebrews (Israelites/Jews) grew up there. God called to Moses (Exodus 3) and raised him up to serve as a mouthpiece for God to Pharaoh. Moses’ role included warning of the coming plagues and as the one who spoke God’s Word to the Israelites as they roamed the desert after the exodus from Egypt.
In our passage today, Moses speaks from the Spirit of God concerning a prophet God will raise up. The people of Israel have only known Moses as their leader. He has stood as a Mediator between the LORD and the people. God has used him to communicate directly with His people. Through Moses, God revealed His character to the people (Exodus 34:6). He directed them on how to live according to His commands and laws (Exodus 20). God spoke through Moses.
The promise of a prophet like Moses would not be fulfilled in Joshua, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or any of the other prophets of the Old Testament. The one foretold by Moses is none other than the Messiah. How do we know that? One reason is the LORD tells of one prophet, not many. Israel would have many future prophets, but Moses is promising something different. This prophet would be one like Moses. This also sets apart the Messiah alone above all the other prophets. The LORD spoke with Moses face-to-face, as a man speaks with a friend (Exodus 33:11). The future prophets would receive visions and dreams, but not have a unique relationship with the LORD like Moses. But the Messiah, the prophet to come, would be a prophet like Moses.
Jesus is the prophet foretold in this passage. He spoke the words of God. In fact, all His words were from God (John 12:49). The Hebrew writer tells us that God spoke through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus fulfills God’s promise through Moses to raise up a prophet, and it is to Him we are all to listen. He alone speaks the words of life (John 6:68). The Word made flesh speaks the words of God to us as our Great Prophet. In Him, we come to know God, we know God’s will and commands, we know ourselves, we know His promises, and we know the way of salvation.
Questions for Reflection
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM AMONG YOU, FROM YOUR BROTHERS—IT IS TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN. DEUTERONOMY 18:15 (ESV)
The first great prophet in the Bible is Moses. He is an unlikely prophet because of his own self-professed lack of eloquence and not being an excellent speaker (Exodus 4:10). Moses spent his upbringing and developmental years in Egypt. He was a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but as Jacob’s family found refuge from famine in Egypt, many generations of Hebrews (Israelites/Jews) grew up there. God called to Moses (Exodus 3) and raised him up to serve as a mouthpiece for God to Pharaoh. Moses’ role included warning of the coming plagues and as the one who spoke God’s Word to the Israelites as they roamed the desert after the exodus from Egypt.
In our passage today, Moses speaks from the Spirit of God concerning a prophet God will raise up. The people of Israel have only known Moses as their leader. He has stood as a Mediator between the LORD and the people. God has used him to communicate directly with His people. Through Moses, God revealed His character to the people (Exodus 34:6). He directed them on how to live according to His commands and laws (Exodus 20). God spoke through Moses.
The promise of a prophet like Moses would not be fulfilled in Joshua, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or any of the other prophets of the Old Testament. The one foretold by Moses is none other than the Messiah. How do we know that? One reason is the LORD tells of one prophet, not many. Israel would have many future prophets, but Moses is promising something different. This prophet would be one like Moses. This also sets apart the Messiah alone above all the other prophets. The LORD spoke with Moses face-to-face, as a man speaks with a friend (Exodus 33:11). The future prophets would receive visions and dreams, but not have a unique relationship with the LORD like Moses. But the Messiah, the prophet to come, would be a prophet like Moses.
Jesus is the prophet foretold in this passage. He spoke the words of God. In fact, all His words were from God (John 12:49). The Hebrew writer tells us that God spoke through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus fulfills God’s promise through Moses to raise up a prophet, and it is to Him we are all to listen. He alone speaks the words of life (John 6:68). The Word made flesh speaks the words of God to us as our Great Prophet. In Him, we come to know God, we know God’s will and commands, we know ourselves, we know His promises, and we know the way of salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- What was the role of the prophet in the Bible?
- What set Moses apart from every other prophet who would follow him?
- Why is it significant that Deuteronomy 18:15 points to a coming prophet like Moses?
- How does Jesus fulfill the promise of the coming prophet like Moses?
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
3 Comments
Isn't it interesting that throughout scripture we see God using men & women in ways you'd least expect?
Abraham / a man who was obedient but had significant flaws (lied about Sarah being his sister rather than his wife and agreed to produce a child with Sarah's servant Hagar)
Jacob / a liar and a cheat but God selected him for His chosen people Israel
Moses / a man who wasn't eloquent in speech yet God chose Moses to speak for Him
David / a small ruddy cheeked boy who slayed a giant but was also an adulterer and murderer. God made him a King.
Mary / a poor ordinary Jewish girl yet God chose her to give birth to our Savior
God's ways are higher than man's ways. We should expect the unexpected. I am grateful that God uses ordinary men and women, and little churches like Center Point, to accomplish his Will in the world. Obedience, not skill or perfection, is the key!
Thanks for this Mike! Such a cool picture.
Really enjoyed today’s Jumpstart. The mediator language made me think of 1 Tim 2:5
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
How awesome to have Jesus as our mediator for all time.