Deuteronomy 18:17-18 "And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. (18) I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."
Moses is here recounting the time when he came back from the mountain. His face
glowed so brightly from being in the presence of the Lord that he had to place
a veil over his face. They were frightened and said to Moses, "Let me not
hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any
more, that I die not." (Deuteronomy 18:16) God, in mercy, told them
He would raise up a Prophet from among them. It is thought by some that
this is when they began to anticipate the Messiah being sent to redeem and
deliver them.
From certain passages, we can see they realized Joshua (Moses' successor) was
not the Prophet of whom the Lord spoke to Moses. We know they were
looking for the Prophet (the Messiah) even during the times of Jesus. The
people wanted to make Jesus king when He fed the multitude of people with the
five loaves of bread and two small fishes. Notice the wording: "Then those
men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth
that prophet that should come into the world." (John 6:14) Other
places in the New Testament not only speak to us of their looking for the
Messiah, but also many people understood Jesus TO BE that very Prophet.
"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto
thee." From this, it is understood the Prophet (Messiah) would be
born of the Jews, of the seed of Abraham. Now where have we heard about
that? If you remember in our study of Hebrews, we were reminded early in
that study, "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he
took on him the seed of Abraham." (Hebrews 2:16) He did raise up
"a Prophet from among their brethren." We know that in the
fullness of time, "God sent forth HIS SON, made of a woman, made under the
law." (Galatians 4:4) He was made "like unto" the
people of Israel (and us) in that He was both made of a woman (came in flesh)
and He was made "under the law." He subjected Himself to all
the things His people would be subjected.
Why was it important for this Promised Prophet to come from among them?
Yes, ultimately it was to redeem us from the penalty of the law; but there is
an addition even to that wonderful blessing. Let's have another quick review of
our study of Hebrews. "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made
like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
(18) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able
to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18) Was He
subjected to these situations in order just to say He has been there
also? OR, did He allow Himself to be subjected (tempted) "In all
points, like as we are, yet without sin" in order that when you and I go
to the throne of grace for help, He is able to say.... "I know how you
feel. I have been there. This is the way, Follow Me!" (See Hebrews
4:14-16)
I thank the Lord for His fulfilling the promise made through Moses in sending
that "Prophet from among their brethren." I can see this
subject is way too vast for me to cover in one writing. I pray I will be
able to continue with these thoughts tomorrow. God bless you and indeed
God has blessed you and me in that He did raise up this glorious Prophet!