that Prophet
The Coming Prophet (18.1-22) Deuteronomy 18 introduces us to an important prophecy of the Lord about a certain Prophet that was to come. If we can imagine, the Jews looked to Moses as an almost god-like person, who was their mediator between them and God, he was God’s mouthpiece in the wilderness, he worked the works of God, and led the people out of bondage and towards the land of promise. He was a Jewish hero, and still is to this day. Now imagine if growing up you heard all these fantastic stories of Moses and his praises, and then you hear in Deut 18 that at some point God was going to “raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee [Moses]…” You would get excited! Another prophet to bring deliverance, speak for God, and lead the people through the wilderness. No doubt the Jews looked for this person regularly. By the time of the NT the anticipation had built to a climax. Many thought John the Baptist was that Prophet (John 1.21-25) when they heard his words and knew they were from God. However, John didn’t live up to all the criteria of “that Prophet” (notice the capitol P in your Bible). God says this Prophet would have two characteristics which Jesus fulfills: 1) He would be “like unto” Moses - Numbers 12.3 says that Moses was the meekest man on the earth, and Jesus is said to be so in Matt 11.29(see Luke 24.19, Heb 3.2-6, and 1 Tim 2.5 for more on that. After a while, the people following Christ openly admitted that He was that Prophet that should come (See John 6.14 & 7.40). 2) He would have God’s words in his mouth and speak all that God commands - Jesus clearly states that He does the works (implying teachings as well) at one point and the Jews seek to kill him for it because they realize that in saying so He is claiming to not only be that Prophet, but also God (see John 5.16-20). Jesus makes it clear that He speaks only that which proceeds from the Father (God) in John 8.28,38; 12.49,50; 14.10; and 16.25. [ also see how Jesus fulfills the description of the Prophet: John 1.45, 8.28, 12.49-50, 15.15]
