More Than A Prophet Series

More Than A Prophet

Reading: Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 18-19:

In the history of Israel, Moses stands in a place by himself.

• He was the great lawgiver,

• A worker of extraordinary miracles,

• A prophet of incomparable stature,

• A man who spoke with God face to face.

In Deuteronomy 18:18-19:

• God promised Moses that in time to come;

• He would raise up another prophet like him.

18I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.

Since that statement:

• (1). Over the years many have claimed to be prophets.

• And false prophets abound who have claimed this passage referred to them.

• (2). Some interpreters regard this promise as having been fulfilled collectively;

• In the line of such prophets as Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel etc

Yet, the people of Israel in Jesus’ day were still looking for “the Prophet.”:

Quote John chapter 1 verse 19-21:

19Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.”

21They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

Although the prophecy of Deuteronomy chapter 18 may refer to many of the prophets,

• It was understood by the Jewish people that its ultimate fulfilment would be;

• In some specific, climactic individual, in The Messiah.

(A). Prophets in general.

• Prophets were a special type of people,

• And there were three things that marked out a prophet.

(1). A genuine prophet obeyed Gods call.

2 examples: of God calling the prophet.

• (First). Quote Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 15:

• “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me……..”.

• (Second): Quote Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 18:

• I will raise up for them a prophet like you

Prophets were chosen by God and personally called to their job.

• God’s choosing of prophets:

• Had nothing to do with social standing, or a special talent,

• Being a Prophet did not come by legacy or by inheritance.

• It was irrelevant whether or not his father was a prophet,

• It was not an occupation that an individual chose,

• It was not the result of prayer or a devotional life,

• A prophet couldn’t choose his job.

• God chose the prophets and called them, they did not choose that calling.

In fact some prophets like Amos:

• Who was a herdsman and fig-picker from Tekoa,

• Were definitely not “preacher materiel”.

• Yet God’s calling on his life was unmistakably.

• Quote: Amos chapter 7 verses 14-15.

14Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

(2). A genuine prophet welcomed Gods word:

Quote: Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 18:

8I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

• True prophets spoke for God as his personal mouthpiece.

• A prophet was a middle man who delivered God’s message, God’s word:

• The message did not originate with the prophet,

• The message was not for the prophet.

• Ill: dispatch rider delivers a parcel or ill: Postman a letter.

• So a prophet delivered a message.

• Often they might not even have understood what they were asked to say,

• But as faithful middle men they always said it, they always delivered God’s words,

• Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18 is a clear example of this:

• “My words in his mouth……, and he will tell them everything I command him”.

Mow a prophets words carried weight:

• They came with authority, and people knew they were telling the truth,

• And therefore people tended to fear prophets.

Ill:

An example of this is Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 22:

"You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken from the Lord ?"

If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true,

that is a message the Lord has not spoken.

That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him".