Moses is up on Mt. Sinai when God apparently tells him that a special prophet will be brought into the world. It takes 40yrs but Moses eventually tells the Israelites. He tells them in the plains of Moab where he gives his second discourse. Deuteronomy chapters 5-26 Deuteronomy literally means second law. In this discourse Moses addresses kings (Ch 16,17), priests (1st pt Ch 18), & prophets (last part Ch 18). He tells the Israelites they are forbidden to seek guidance for the future by the means of pagan divinity! I can't figure out astronomy. Why do we ask someone to read the stars when we could just talk to one who out them there? God will provide someone like Moses to tell them all they need!
No other Old Testament prophet can be compared to Moses. DT 34:10-12 Therefore, the prophet like Moses must be someone, who in some significant way, transcends the line of the Old Testament prophets. God promises a source of special revelation that is far superior to pagan divination or witchcraft. It must be noted that in the main scripture that the word "prophet" is singular. Do not confuse this promised prophet with the many prophets we read about in our Bible. A prophet is one who receives direct communication from God through dreams, visions, or other means and then communicates that revelation to his contemporaries. SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE MAN THAT SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF GOD! In vs 15 above Moses says the prophet will come "from among you" and God says in vs 18 the prophet will come "from among their countrymen like you." This tells us the nationality of the promised prophet. He will be an Israelite! We also know that this promised prophet was to be of the tribe of Judah. Gen 49:10-12
Many people tried to be a prophet like Moses. Josephus writes about a man named Theudas who claimed he could split the Jordan and many followed him in the wilderness and died! (Josephus Ant XX. v. 1.) The people were looking for exactly that type of prophet. In Jn 6:30-33 the multitudes challenged Jesus to make something similar to manna. So I thought we should enumerate 5 unique qualities that Moses has that the special prophet should have as well.
1. Moses enjoyed an intimate relationship with God. Dt 34:10 “face to face”
2. Moses was a miracle worker. Dt 34:11,12
3. Moses was a mediator. He always interceded for the people. Num 21:7
4. Moses was a lawgiver. He was the mediator of the Old Covenant!
5. Moses was a deliverer. He delivered the people from Egypt!
Where can such an amazing man be found? Who could possibly meet all the above qualities and criteria? You know where this is going and who it is pointing to, Jesus!!!
Is Jesus a prophet? Jn 6:14; 7:40,41
Did Jesus speak on behalf of God? Jn 12:50
Was Jesus like Moses?
Intimate relationship Lk 10:22
Miracle worker Lk 24:18,19
Mediator 1Ti 2:5
Lawgiver Heb 8:6
Deliverer Mt 26:28
Does Jesus have authority? Mt 28:18 Jn 12:48-50 says that in the last days we will be judged by the very words of Jesus. That is all authority!
You must make a decision on the above information. Is Jesus the promised prophet of the Old Testament? If you believe so, are willing to submit to His authority? Are you willing to allow him to deliver you from sin? Are you willing to be obedient to his laws? He is our mediator and he did work miracles. He is the only way we can know our Father in heaven. Jn 14:6 How will you respond to Jesus, the promised prophet?
Today, I hope you plan to share the wonderful facts of the promised prophet, Jesus, that God sent because He loves us (Jn 3:16) to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Hear The Word- Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We Must Believe or Have Faith- Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We Must Repent- Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We Must Confess Christ Before Others- Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We Must Remain Faithful- Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
keep going man. this is good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bro!
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