“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.”
Context and Background: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and is attributed to Moses. It is a book containing Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this address, Moses reiterates the laws and statutes given by God to the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The verse in question, Deuteronomy 18:18, is part of Moses’ prophecy regarding a future prophet whom God will raise up among the Israelites.
The Promise of a Prophet: In Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Moses speaks to the Israelites, foretelling a prophet who will come after him. This prophet is described as being “from among their brethren” (the Israelites) and “like unto” Moses. God promises that He will put His words in this prophet’s mouth, and this prophet will speak all that God commands him.
The Fulfillment in Jesus Christ: From a Christian perspective, this prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus was born as an Israelite, from the tribe of Judah, fulfilling the condition of being “from among their brethren.” He is also described as being “like unto” Moses in various ways:
- Authority: Both Moses and Jesus had great authority from God. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them the Law, while Jesus brought the New Covenant and fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17).
- Prophet and Mediator: Moses was considered a prophet and mediator between God and the people. In a greater sense, Jesus is the ultimate prophet who reveals God fully and serves as the mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:5).
- Miracles and Signs: Both Moses and Jesus performed miracles and signs to authenticate their ministries. Moses performed miracles in Egypt, and Jesus performed numerous miracles during His earthly ministry, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding thousands (John 2:11; John 11:43-44).
Jesus as the Spokesperson of God: The verse states that God will put His words in the mouth of the prophet. Jesus, as the Son of God, perfectly embodied this aspect. He spoke the words of God and taught with divine authority. In John 12:49-50, Jesus says, “For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
Application and Significance: The prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 emphasizes the authority and authenticity of Jesus Christ as the promised prophet. It highlights His role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, bringing God’s message and fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. As followers of Christ, we should recognize Jesus’ unique position and authority, placing our trust in Him as the one who speaks God’s words and brings salvation to all who believe in Him.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 18:18 is a prophecy foretelling the coming of a prophet like Moses. For Christians, this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies
the characteristics described in the verse and serves as the mediator between God and humanity. It reminds us of Jesus’ authority, divine teachings, and His role in revealing God’s plan of salvation.
