Establish the need: Is the Messiah going to be like Moses in any way?
Purpose: We will consider Deuteronomy 18:15-19 as pointing to Christ with the following five points.
- The focus on an individual prophet like Moses
- Objection: There’s nothing about this about a future prediction
- Deuteronomy 18 is not predicting Joshua
- Deuteronomy 18 is not predicting Muhammad
- Jesus is like Moses
The focus on an individual prophet like Moses
- In Hebrew it is singular for “Prophet.”
- “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen; to him you shall listen” (Deuteronomy 18:15)
- “I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him” (Deuteronomy 18:19)
- Notice also this singular prophet is described as someone like Moses, as Moses said “a prophet like me” (Deuteronomy 18:15)
- But in what ways is this Prophet supposed to be like Moses? I think we have a clue: “a prophet from among their countrymen like you” (Deuteronomy 18:19)
- Here we see “you” refer to the Hebrews.
- If we have a Venn Diagram of two circles, Moses and the Hebrews, the part that overlap with Moses and the Hebrews would be what this Prophet would be like.
- For example: A Prophet who also experienced a Wilderness Experience, is a Hebrew, etc.
Objection: There’s nothing about this about a future prediction
- Given that many Christians don’t think Deuteronomy 18 has anything Messianic since it is assume there’s nothing future in prediction in Deuteronomy 18’s discussion of a prophet I think we need to answer that by observing Moses himself is a Type that often what he experience is future forth-telling of what other people would experience.
- But within Exodus Moses’ life anticipates the future experience of the Hebrews.
- Moses surviving Pharaoh’s desire to kill him in the waters was an experience that anticipate the Hebrew surviving Pharaoh’s desire to kill them at the waters of the Red Sea.
- Moses “Passover” experience in Exodus 4:22-26.[1] Blood of circumcision spared Moses from being judged by God, it was blood that led the Lord to “pass over” Moses, similar to later the Hebrews experience of blood at the door was why God “pass over” the Hebrews.
- In light of Moses’ life being a Prophetic Type, we should not be surprised that a Prophet like Moses would mean Moses’ life is a Type for ultimately the Messiah.
Deuteronomy 18 is not predicting Joshua
Some who don’t see Deuteronomy 18 as Messianic thinks this is talking about Joshua.
Joshua was never called prophet.[2] This would be strange if Deuteronomy 18 is about Joshua and Joshua was never identified as the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18.
Deuteronomy 34:9-10 rules out Deuteronomy 18 is talking about Joshua.
- Verse 10 states there is no prophet like Moses. This rules out Joshua being like Moses.
- Furthermore verse 10 specifically states there’s no one like Moses “whom the Lord knew face to face,” showing that a requirement to be like Moses is one who seen God face to face.[3] Think about this for later: Who has seen God face to face?
Deuteronomy 18 is not predicting Muhammad
Muslims thinks Deuteronomy 18 is a prediction of Muhammad.
According to Isalm Arabs are descendants of Ishmael.
But Deuteronomy 18 states this Prophet is one from the Hebrews (descendants of Issac). Note:
- “from your countrymen” (Deuteronomy 18:15)
- “from among their countrymen” (Deuteronomy 18:19)
Further explanation: “the NASB translation of “your countrymen” here is the same Hebrew word in verse 18 that refers to “brothers.” Verse 15 narrows and specify whom Moses meant by “brothers” when he said “from among you.” The phrase “from among you” in Hebrew is מִקִּרְבְּךָ, which is a construction of a preposition indicating source coupled with the noun קרב and second person plural suffix. According to Holladay’s concise Hebrew lexicon, the noun קרב always refer to something internal as opposed to outside or external in all it’s lexical range of meaning whether it refers to the inward nonphysical parts of a person (compare Genesis 18:12, 1 Kings 17:21, Isaiah 19:3, Jeremiah 4:16), the inner physical body (compare Genesis 41:21), inner part of a city (Genesis 18:22), or sacrificial animal (Exodus 12:9). This is also true when it is referring to people (for example, Exodus 34:12, 1 Samuel 16:13). When the preposition מִ appears before the nounקרב, it has the idea of “from among” (for example, compare Numbers 14:13), that is, internal from within one’s group. The source of the Prophet’s origin is indicated by the second person plural suffix, which again refers to the second generation Israelites that left Egypt waiting to enter into the Promise Land. Thus, this Prophet can only be from among the Jews and not some external group of non-Jews. Though it is not visible in our English translation, in Hebrew the construct מִקִּרְבְּךָ (“from among you”) is even nuanced, appearing before the phrase “like me,” or “from your countrymen.” That is, the author Moses was emphasizing to his readers so that they won’t miss the truth that this Prophet will be from among their own kin, effectively ruling out Muhammad as a candidate for fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18.”[4]
Jesus is like Moses
Jesus is the Prophet to come. But how is Jesus like Moses?
- Born during the reign of an oppressive king (Moses with Pharoah in Exodus 1:8-14; Jesus with King Herod in Matthew 2:1)
- The evil ruler decree the killing of children that threaten the newborn’s life (Exodus 1:15-16; Matthew 2:16-18)
- The witnesses of the birth of the child obeyed God and therefore disobeyed the ruler (Midwives in Exodus 1:17-22; Magi in Matthew 2:12, 16)
- Soon after being born, the baby was placed in a box (ark for Moses, manger for Jesus)
- God protects the witnesses (Midwives in Exodus 1:17-22; Magi in Matthew 2:12)
- Child was raised by a non-biological father (Pharaoh for Moses and Joseph for Jesus) The newborn survived by hiding in Egypt (Exodus 2; Matthew 2:13-15)
- When the child grew older, God leads them to depart from Egypt (Exodus 13-14; Matthew 2:19-23)
- After leaving Egypt, water around them symbolizes a new era (the parting of the sea Exodus 14:13-31; Baptism, Matthew 3:13-17)
- Both enter the Wilderness for a considerable time of testing (Forty years, Exodus 16:35; Forty days, Matthew 4:1-11)
- Both expounds on God’s law to God’s people in a mountain (Mount Sinai, Exodus 19-20ff; Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7)
Further details
- The miracles Moses performed with the plague demonstrates God’s desire to save Israel from Egypt through Moses in Exodus 7-12. Likewise the miracles Jesus performed demonstrates God’s desire to save Israel of their sins through Jesus in Mark 1-4.
- Moses dealt with the hardened heart of Pharaoh in Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:19, 9:17, 9:7, 9:35. Likewise Jesus dealt with the hardened heart of the Pharisees in Mark 4:4.
- With the hardened hearts of Pharaoh that Moses faced it climaxed to show the power of God to save Israel. Likewise the hardened hearts of the Pharisees climaxed to show the power of God to save sinners.
- Moses brought the twelve tribes of Israel miraculously through the Red Sea in Exodus 14. Likewise Jesus brought the twelve disciples miraculously through the stormy sea in Mark 4:35-41.
- Through Moses God destroyed Pharaoh’s army in the sea as recorded in Exodus 15:3-4. Likewise Jesus had demonic “legion” (Mark 5:9) enter pigs and destroyed in the sea as recorded in Mark 5:13.
- Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights neither drinking nor eating before going forth with a teaching ministry to the people in Deuteronomy 9:9-11. Likewise Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights neither drinking nor eating before going forth with a teaching ministry to the people in Mark 1:12-13 (cf. Matthew 4:1-11).
- Moses healed a leper in Numbers 12:9-16. Jesus healed a leper in Mark 1:40-45.
[1] L. Michael Morales, Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2020), Hoopla Location 310 of 966.
[2] Jim R. Sibley, “Deuteronomy 18:15-19: The Prophet Like Moses” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 327.
[3] Jim R. Sibley, “Deuteronomy 18:15-19: The Prophet Like Moses” in The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2018), 329.
[4] Source: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/deuteronomy-18-biblical-prophecy-of-muhammad-or-jesus/
Good comparison between Moses and Jesus. The prophet in Deuteronomy 18 does seem to point to Jesus.
Amen wow thanks brother for reading this. You do encouraged me much with your reading brother!!!
Praise God! Thanks!
Everything you said I agree. However, there is an important (at least in my estimation) additional aspect that wasn’t mentioned which precludes fulfillment from Muhammed. The context of Dt. 18 speaks of a terrifying voice speaking commands. In response to the people’s request not to hear such a voice, God said He would send another prophet like Moses. Moses was the meekest man on earth, and this is implicit reality infers a Prophet who would neither break a bruised reed or snuff a smoldering wick. These metaphors describe the days of Jesus earthly flesh as a man of sorrows and acquainting with human grief. In my mind, this is the primary reference with the other points as further supports and fulfillments.
An analysis of Moses’ actions throughout the wilderness wanderings proves this by such events as falling on his face when confronting opposition. Moses was not a warlord or charismatic in any fashion. Statements such as “who am I” show this also. Meekness, is, of course, not weakness. Both Moses and Jesus could express serious warning language without losing any humility or meekness.
Wow that is an excellent addition! Man this is why I love blogging, learning from others. That was insightful Alex!!!
Thanks for this teaching outline! I love Old Testament types and few prefigure the Messiah more clearly and with as much parallel detail as Moses.
Messianic types and prophecies are so sooo amazing!! How was the Lead campaign today???
Yup, I love OT types!
RE: leaves
I hauled 4 tarps to the curb today. Nice sunny weather. The amazing thing is just about all the leaves have come down at this point, about three weeks ahead of the usual schedule. It will be so nice not to have to deal with the leaves in the cold rain and snow.
How’s your Wednesday going?
Helpful study, so many parallels that point to the coming Prophet-Priest-King, Jesus.
Amen it is so amazing the parallels! Its so many it just strikes me with awe; I think the Word of God is self-evidencing in so many ways and this is one of them! Hope your Wednesday was ok?
It was, thanks!!
Very thorough, I’ll be using some of these points!
Awesome to hear that! Hope your Thursday is going well!!!
Absolutely, hopefully you as well friend!
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Great insight brother. Excellent analysis and some wonderful additions in the comments.
Shalom!
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
Thanks for putting the time into this, great comparisons
Thanks for reading this!! It’s too much parallels to just say “coincidence” am I right??? The Bible is sooo amazing!!!
The amount of parallels is convincing
It is it compels one to trust in Jesus!!!
You are right about that SlimJim
The parallels with Moses and the Hebrews are also amazing
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This is such a powerful apologetics from the Scripture itself
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