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Jesus: The promised ONE of Deuteronomy 18:15
Jesus: The promised ONE of Deuteronomy 18:15

Scripture reading: Exodus 2

This past week we read 5 Old Testament passages that feature promises about Jesus; promises that were fulfilled in his first coming and promises that will be fulfilled in his second coming.

One of the passages that we read was Deuteronomy 18. In this chapter, God says to Moses- who then relays the message to the people-; "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name."

The promise of this chapter is a big one: A prophet will come who is like Moses.

FYI: This has always been regarded as a Messianic prophecy (by Jews and Christians)

In a few minutes I am going to prove to you that Jesus is the one being spoken of here in the text; but before that, we need to read the passage and consider the context and flow of the passage.

READ TEXT, noting....

-Moses, being God's appointed leader of the people, is instructing the people as to how to follow and worship God. These laws that Moses gave to the people, were in anticipation of the Jews entering into the Promised Land
-A stern warning is given that one is not to get involved in any occult practice.
-Bundled up in Moses warning to not involve oneself in any occult practice, the question is being raised: Who should we listen to? If one is not to consult foretellers or the like, to whom should one turn for guidance and knowledge of the future?
-In the midst of warning the people, a great promise is given: God was going to send to his people prophets, and beyond that, a very special PROPHET--He is to be listened to. See Acts 3:22-23, wherein Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 in relation to Jesus.

Reminder: Jesus holds 3 offices "Prophet, Priest, King" (Luke 13:33; Hebrews 6:20; 9:11, Matthew 27:11

I. WHY MOSES WAS SO SPECIAL

-He benefited from Divine protection at birth
-He was was raised in Pharaoh's courts
-He led 3 million people for 40 years
-Encountered God in the burning bush in the wilderness, coming to know God's personal name and calling on his life. Exodus 3
-He spoke to God face to face. Exodus 33:11, Numbers 12:8
-He was God's chosen leader to take the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land
-He performed miracles (in Pharaoh's courts, in parting the Red Sea, in providing water for the people)
-When he interceded for the people, when God was set upon destroying them for their rebellion, God listened to him and spared them.
-Through him, God gave to the people the 10 Commandments and all the laws (being called the Law of Moses)
-He served as the judge of the nation of Israel. He was their leader for 40 years
-He was a Spirit filled Prophet (regarded by Israel as their greatest prophet). Deuteronomy 34:10-12 says of Moses; "Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt-to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel."
-He was meek and humble-- more so than anyone else on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3
-He died at 120 years old and was personally buried by God. Deuteronomy 34:5


II. THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF DEUTERONOMY 18:15 WAS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED

Consider the question of John the Baptist in John 1:19-21

Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

Note the excitement of Philip in John 1:43-45

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Ponder the thoughts of the 5000 after Jesus miraculously fed them. John 6:14

"After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."

III. PROOF THAT JESUS FULFILLS THE PROPHECY OF Deuteronomy 18:15- that Jesus is the PROPHET Moses spoke of

1. Both experienced Divine protection at birth from Kings that wanted them dead
2. Both Jews (this rules Mohammed out as an option-- Muslims claim the prophet of Deut. 18:15 is Mohammed)
3. Both spent early years in Egypt
4. Both experienced rejection
5. Both teachers
6. Both gave bread from Heaven (Manna-- Jesus the bread of Heaven)
7. Both humble and meek
8. Both performed miracles
9. Both prophets
10. Both mediators between God and man
11. Both saw God the Father face to face
12. Both known for their obedience to God the Father
13. Both spoke by the leading of the Holy Spirit

IV. AS MUCH AS JESUS IS "A PROPHET LIKE MOSES", HE IS FAR GREATER THAN MOSES and more than just a prophet. See Hebrews 3:1-6

Of Jesus, Hebrews 3:1-6 says; "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast"

Examples of how Jesus is greater than Moses

1. The miracles of Moses, as great as they were, pale to the miracles of Christ (walking on water, raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out evil spirits, rising from the dead)
2. While Moses gave the Law-- Jesus fulfilled it, keeping it perfectly, providing a solution to the judgment that comes to those who break it (his sacrifice on the cross for our sin)
3. While Moses gave the Law-- Jesus was the author of and properly interpreted it (Sermon on the Mount)
4. Greater in character, person, and nature: Moses was a sinner (having murdered an Egyptian in his youth and having struck the rock for water in disobedience to God.) Jesus was sinless
5. While Moses led the people to the border of the Promised Land-- Jesus, by his sacrifice and our faith and repentance, takes us into it. As Jesus says of Heaven and the Father "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by me" John 14:6
6. While Moses instituted the Passover, Jesus fulfilled the Passover -- that we might be saved from the judgment to come
7. While Moses occasionally spoke to God face to face, Jesus came from the Father where He had seen Him face to face forever before
8. While Moses was a Prophet; Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King
9. While Moses served as judge over the people, Jesus is the judge of all people (all will appear before him at the resurrection of the just and the unjust)
10. As much as Moses prophesied, Jesus has told us much more about the future
11. As much as Moses loved the people, Jesus loves us more-- the ultimate proof being that He died for us on the cross while we were yet sinners.


V. THE EXPECTED RESPONSE TO JESUS- the one alone who fulfills the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15

Listen to Him. Obey Him!

Note the command of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:14 "You must listen to to him"

Further note what God says in Deuteronomy 18:19 "I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name"

The command to listen to and obey Jesus comes directly from God. In Matthew 17 Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him up a high mountain. While there Jesus revealed to those 3 his divine glory-- and also appearing with him was Moses and Elijah. While on the mountain, God the Father spoke, saying; "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

As it regards listening to and obeying Jesus; in John 10:27-28 it says; "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

The big question of application:

Are we listening to Jesus? Are we obeying him? Are we reading his word and heeding it? Are we forgiving others? Are we telling others of Christ and how to escape the judgment to come? Are we serving? Are we fellowshipping with other Christians in regular worship?

CONCLUSION

-Jewish people understand the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 to be a Messianic prophecy
-Jewish people should be following Jesus because the evidence abounds that Jesus is the fulfillment
-Fulfilled prophecy is a great reason to believe in Jesus and to trust your Bible
-As Moses pointed the attention to Jesus, so our attention should be on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith
-In Deuteronomy 18:15 a great promise is given. In Jesus the promise is fulfilled. We are to listen to Him. We are to love Him. We are to obey Him. We are to put Him first.