Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up to you a Prophet from the middle of you, of your brothers, like to me; to him you shall listen; I. THESE WORDS PRINCIPALLY CONTAIN A PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH. First, the word "prophet" is expressed in the singular number, and intimates plainly the raising up of a certain illustrious prophet at a fixed time, rather than a constant succession of prophets. Moses expressly adds, "like unto me," that is, in the principal part of his character — one who should not only be a prophet, but also a legislator. But, from the time of Moses to the days of our Saviour, there was no prophet who had the same authority as Moses had, for the succeeding prophets were only interpreters of the Mosaic law, they only exhorted the people to obey the law of Moses; reproved the transgressors of it; and, by foretelling punishments to be inflicted upon them by God, awakened them to return to the obedience of this law. Jesus appeared in the world at that period when the Jewish nation had the highest expectation of the coming of their Messiah. There is no doubt but the ancient Jews acknowledged this text to be particularly applicable to the Messiah (Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37). II. THE DESCRIPTION HERE GIVEN EXACTLY CORRESPONDS TO JESUS OF NAZARETH; AND HE RESEMBLED MOSES IN MORE RESPECTS THAN ANY OTHER PROPHET EVER DID. III. THE JEWISH NATION HAVE BEEN, AND STILL ARE, SEVERELY PUNISHED FOR THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO THIS PROPHET. IV. CONCLUDING INFERENCES. 1. We may see that Christianity is indeed near as old as the creation. The two dispensations resemble a building supported by two pillars, joined and cemented together, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone whom God has placed in Zion; so that if you remove either of the two, the whole must fall to the ground. 2. We may see that the infidelity of the Jewish nation is unreasonable and inexcusable. 3. We may see the folly and inevitable ruin of such as reject Jesus Christ, whose mission God has attested by so many proofs. 4. We may see the just foundation all true Christians have for zealously promoting the interests of the Gospel. (James Robertson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; |
    |