“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—just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 

And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.”

—Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (ESV)

By the time we get to this passage in Deuteronomy, a lot has happened! The Israelites have come through the Red Sea. They’ve received the Law at Mt Sinai. We saw the people’s disobedience in not entering the Promised Land. Then, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now, a new generation is preparing to enter God’s promises.

As Moses re-gives the Law, he prophesies that there will come a prophet like himself, one to whom the people must listen. This is a big deal. Moses gave the Law. So, this prophecy hints that the coming prophet will be more significant than those before. I mean, Moses says on behalf of God that “I will put my words in his mouth.” The people had always struggled to recognise God’s voice and His leading. And even when they understood it, they had seen obedience as optional! But this promised one would speak God’s words and God would require of the hearer a response. That is definitely upping the obedience factor!

Moses is about to die. He will pass the leadership of the people to a new generation of leaders. But Moses wants the people to know that there is a continuity of what God is doing. Stay true to the covenant and one will come who will be a spiritual leader that speaks on behalf of God. By the time of Jesus’ life, death, and ministry, we start to see the fulfilment of this promise. Jesus is the ultimate prophet, as well as the ultimate priest and king.

What I find so encouraging in this passage is that Moses really did lead the people into what God had for them. Despite the disobedience and wandering hearts of the people, we see in Moses a model of faithfulness to God. He wrestled with God. He disagreed and bargained. But he remained faithful even after disqualifying himself from entering the promised land. This prophecy of “a prophet like me” encourages me. Jesus would be the ultimate prophet. He came from a long tradition of prophets. But, more importantly, it shows that Jesus came to do more than just speak about God or to draw attention to the Father. Jesus came to speak the Father’s words. To direct people to the Father and reveal His mysteries. To reveal the Father to those around Him. The Gospels show us that Jesus’ mission to reveal the Father didn’t end with his first generation of followers. His prophetic ministry speaks the Father’s truth to our hearts and minds. It endures today. What a gift to receive!

In this busy Christmas season, take time today. Listen for God’s voice by reading a Gospel passage where Jesus teaches. Reflect on His words as God’s message directly to you. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in living out what you hear. Start with John 14:6-7, where Jesus reveals the Father. Let this practice remind you of Christ’s prophetic gift in your life.

Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, reveals the Father’s heart and speaks His truth to us. This Christmas, embrace the gift of His words and live them out faithfully.

A prayer: “Father God, thank You that You gave us the gift of Your son, a prophet like Moses, but in fact a prophet greater than Moses. Thank You that we don’t need to wonder and question what it is You have to say to us. We don’t have to wonder if You’ll speak to us. You have given us Your son to speak Your words directly to our hearts and minds. Thank You too for Your spirit, that helps us discern, meditate upon and then live out those promises to us. Thank You for being God with us. Amen.