Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 18

Verses 1-22

Deuteronomy 18:9-22

'A Prophet.' How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? In the following passages our Lord claims prophetic powers: 'My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me'. 'Then shall ye know that I do nothing of Myself, but as the Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.'

'Like unto Moses.' Christ has the whole prophetic life in Himself, says a German writer. He has the pathos of an Isaiah, the melancholy of an Hosea, the meekness of a Jeremiah, the joy in nature of an Amos, the power of observation of the proverb-writers, the whole world of feeling of the Psalmists. In what particular respects, then, may we say that Christ was especially like unto Moses? First, He was a mediator between God and the people. Second, He is a deliverer from bondage as well as a revealer of God's will. Third, He was signally meek and supremely faithful.

Note how often in the New Testament this prediction is applied to Jesus. Philip refers to it when he says to Nathanael, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law did write'. Our Lord Himself doubtless had it in mind when He said, 'Moses wrote of Me'. Peter quoted it when preaching to the crowd who had gathered when the lame man was healed. Stephen, in his defence, cited it also.

References. XVIII. 15. E. H. Gifford, Twelve Lectures, p. 151. J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. vii. p. 118. XVIII. 15-19. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxv. No. 1487. XIX. 5, 6. E. M. Goulburn, Sermons in the Parish Church of Holywell, p. 101. XIX. 32. J. N. Norton, Every Sunday, p. 249. XX. 2-4. J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year, p. 167. XX. 8. W. Hay, Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. xi. p. 233. J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year, p. 177.