The prophet and the word

Prior to his death, Moses promised the people that God would send them another prophet like him. Moses relationship with God was unique. While God spoke directly to all His prophets, “Yehovah used to speak to Moses face to face, just like a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11).

Moses wrote, “Yehovah your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him” Deuteronomy 18:15.

Twice in John’s Gospel the people identified Jesus as being that Prophet. After the feeding of the 5,000 they said, “This is truly THE Prophet who is come into the world” (John 6:14). Also, after Jesus announced that He was the source of living water they said, “This certainly is THE Prophet” (John 7:40).

Moses directed the people to listen to this coming Prophet. Yehovah explains why. “I will raise up a prophet

from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name,

I Myself will require it of him” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).

THE Prophet is commanded to speak the very words of Yehovah, and the people were expected to obey them.

Jesus fulfills the description of THE Prophet. Yehovah said He would put His words in the Prophet’s mouth (Deuteronomy 15:18). Jesus said, “the things I speak I speak just as the Father told me” (John 12:50).

Next, Yehovah said that He would command THE Prophet to speak His words (Deuteronomy 15:18). Jesus said, “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment

as to what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49).

Finally, Yehovah announced He would judge those who did not listen and obey the words of THE Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:19). Jesus said, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him;

the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48).

Jesus truly fulfilled the description of THE Prophet. And while Yehovah spoke to Moses like a man speaks to a friend, Yehovah spoke to Jesus like a father speaks to his son.

Jesus fulfilled this role because He is THE Word of God in the flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Further, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The words of God and the Son of God (The Word and THE Prophet) are full of grace and truth for those who will listen and respond. However, His words will also judge those who reject Him. Let us embrace the Word of God.