Deuteronomy 18:15
“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—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The most striking part of this promise is that God will raise up a prophet "from among you, from your brothers." This isn't just any prophet; this is a prophet from their own people, emphasizing God's desire for intimate communication and His understanding of humanity through one of them. It’s a profound foreshadowing of Jesus, who would share in our humanity, making God's message deeply relatable and accessible.
As Moses prepares to depart, he reassures the Israelites that God will continue to speak to them directly through appointed prophets. This promise comes after God has just warned them against the deceptive practices of surrounding nations, like consulting mediums and sorcerers. Therefore, this instruction establishes a divinely appointed way for the people to hear God’s voice, both through a succession of prophets and, ultimately, through one singular, authoritative Prophet to come.
Moses delivers a crucial promise from God: a prophet will come. But this isn't just any speaker; it's a specific kind of messenger.
Moses, standing at the end of his leadership, assures the Israelites that God will continue to guide them. He introduces a promise of a singular prophet, distinct from the ongoing succession of prophets.
A Unique Role
While God would raise up many prophets for Israel's instruction, this particular prophet is set apart. He is described as "like me" (Moses). This doesn't just mean he'll be a good speaker. It implies a shared role as mediator, lawgiver, and deliverer, though ultimately, this prophet will surpass Moses.
More Than a Spokesperson
This prophecy points to someone who would not only deliver God's messages but also embody God's presence and will in a way no other could. He is to be the ultimate teacher, the one through whom God's fullest revelation would come.
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God's promise of a prophet comes with a non-negotiable command. What does it truly mean to 'listen' to this divine messenger?
The most striking command in this verse is 'it is to him you shall listen.' This isn't a casual suggestion; it's a divine imperative.
More Than Hearing
In the biblical context, 'listening' (Hebrew: shema) is far more than just auditory perception. It involves attentive hearing, understanding, and, most importantly, obedience. It's a commitment to internalize and act upon what is heard.
The Consequence of Disobedience
The parallel passages in Deuteronomy 18 make it clear: failing to listen to this prophet carries severe consequences. It means rejecting God Himself. This prophet is God's ultimate voice to humanity, and to disregard him is to invite judgment.
Understand the original words
nabi' · Hebrew Noun
One called by God to speak His message, receive revelations, and serve as His mouthpiece to the people; ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
This passage explicitly quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 and identifies Jesus as the Prophet like Moses that God promised to raise up. It shows how the early church understood this prophecy to be fulfilled.
John 1:45Philip tells Nathanael that they have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and also in the prophets—Jesus. This shows a direct link between the Mosaic writings, including Deuteronomy, and Jesus as the promised figure.
Hebrews 1:1-2This passage explains that God, who once spoke through prophets, has now spoken through His Son, highlighting Jesus' ultimate prophetic authority, which resonates with the command to 'listen' to the prophet like Moses.
Matthew 17:5During the transfiguration, a voice from the cloud declares about Jesus, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!' This echoes the command in Deuteronomy to listen to the promised prophet.
John 5:46Jesus tells the Jews that if they believed Moses, they would believe Him, because Moses wrote about Him. This directly connects Jesus to the writings of Moses, including this prophetic promise.
pooleDeuteronomy 18:15: "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;"
Will raise up, i.e. will produce and send into the world in due time. A Prophet: those words may be understood secondarily concerning the succession of prophets which God would raise for the instruction of his church, both because this is alleged as an argument why they need not consult with diviners, &c., because they should have prophets at…
calvinDeuteronomy 18:15-18: "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;"
According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb, in the day of the assembly, saying, 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.
Secundum omnia quae petiisti a Jehova Deo tuo in Horeb, in die conventus, dicendo, Non adjiciam audire vocem Jehovae…
The most striking part of this promise is that God will raise up a prophet "from among you, from your brothers." This isn't just any prophet; this is a prophet from their own people, emphasizing God's desire for intimate communication and His understanding of humanity through one of them. It’s a profound foreshadowing of Jesus, who would share in our humanity, making God's message deeply relatable and accessible.
As Moses prepares to depart, he reassures the Israelites that God will continue to speak to them directly through appointed prophets. This promise comes after God has just warned them against the deceptive practices of surrounding nations, like consulting mediums and sorcerers. Therefore, this instruction establishes a divinely appointed way for the people to hear God’s voice, both through a succession of prophets and, ultimately, through one singular, authoritative Prophet to come.
As Moses prepares to depart, he reassures the Israelites that God will continue to speak to them directly through appointed prophets. This promise comes after God has just warned them against the deceptive practices of surrounding nations, like consulting mediums and sorcerers. Therefore, this instruction establishes a divinely appointed way for the people to hear God’s voice, both through a succession of prophets and, ultimately, through one singular, authoritative Prophet to come.
"“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—" — The most striking part of this promise is that God will raise up a prophet "from among you, from your brothers." This isn't just any prophet; this is a prophet from their own people, emphasizing Go…
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