By Mike Chaffin
10 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, 12 and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12
The prophet Moses died. No more words will he speak to the children of Israel. The last words here boast at the relationship Moses had with God, and how he was given power to lead, do signs and wonders. But there is apprehension in the first words of verse 10. No one like Moses has come to take his place.
Joshua likely penned this final epitaph, attaching it to Moses writings in Deuteronomy. Joshua took over for Moses and knew he wasn’t a prophet like Moses. Joshua was a great military leader and likely a little nervous to step into Moses sandals. But Joshua also knew the promise God had given Moses a few days earlier when God said;
18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. Deuteronomy 18:18-19
God delivered on this promise as well. Throughout the Old Testament God sent prophets to tell the people to repent. Ezekiel and Elijah were gifted with miracles at a time when there were only 7000 Israelites left who hadn’t fallen into idolatry. They strengthened God’s people at a time when it was needed most. Isaiah prophesied more about Jesus than any other of God’s spokesmen. Jonah taught us God cares about those who don’t know him and the importance of telling others about God’s love and judgement. Jeremiah and Ezekiel showed us the balance of God’s love, his judgement on sin, and the future restoration from the exile.
However the ultimate prophet, the one God is talking about in Deuteronomy 18, is Jesus. He is more than a prophet; he is the Son of God. In the gospel of John we see Jesus address how God is fulfilling the first part of this pronouncement in Deut. 18:18;
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
And he explains God’s judgment stated in Deut. 18:19 when he continues;
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Bible interprets itself. God has given us a way to salvation. A way to escape the judgement. Salvation is only available through the sacrifice of Christ and our repentance and accepting Him into our hearts.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have made a way to escape death. Through Christ I can come to you. I can have the Holy Spirit leading and guiding me through this fallen and sinful world. I put my trust in you. Jesus, i accept you as Lord and Savior. Come live in my heart. Help me to live in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
