“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.”
Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning and significance within its broader context.
Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and is attributed to Moses. It primarily consists of Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In these speeches, Moses reminds the people of God’s covenant, the importance of obeying His commandments, and the consequences of disobedience.
The Promise of a Prophet: In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses informs the Israelites that God will raise up a Prophet from among their own people. This Prophet would be like Moses, serving as an intermediary between God and the people. The phrase “like unto me” suggests that this future Prophet would share similarities with Moses in terms of leadership, authority, and divine revelation.
Identifying the Prophet: The verse does not specifically name the Prophet being referred to, but it is generally understood by both Jewish and Christian scholars that this prophecy ultimately points to Jesus Christ. Jesus is considered the fulfillment of this prophecy, as He was born into the lineage of Israel, and His ministry displayed remarkable parallels to Moses.
The Prophet’s Authority: The latter part of the verse states, “unto him ye shall hearken.” This emphasizes the authority of the coming Prophet. The people were instructed to listen to and follow the teachings of this Prophet. Jesus, as the fulfillment of this prophecy, presented Himself as the ultimate authority, proclaiming the truth of God’s kingdom and calling people to repentance and faith in Him.
New Testament Fulfillment: The New Testament acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:15. In Acts 3:20-23, Peter explicitly refers to this prophecy when preaching to the people after the healing of a lame man. He declares that Jesus is the Prophet whom Moses spoke of, and the people should listen to Him.
