Deuteronomy 13 – 20

“It is to him you shall listen”. Such a simple thing. Although Moses is revered as both the “Deliverer” and the “Law-giver”, even before Moses died, God told him to tell the people another prophet was coming. Not just any prophet, but THE Prophet. Consequently, in the days of Jesus, some of the people were faithfully looking for this One.

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” … They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” JOHN 1:20-21, 25

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” JOHN 6:14

When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” JOHN 7:40

John the baptizer even asked about this … “Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” MATTHEW 11:3

As we have seen before, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul teaches us clearly that the Law of Moses could not give life, but proved that all were sinners and pointed to Christ (Galatians 3). On the Mount of Transfiguration, Elohim spoke to Peter, James and John saying of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Did you catch that? “Listen to Him”. Go back and re-read Deuteronomy 18:15.

Here is the importance of the Law of Moses (the “old covenant”) to us today. Even though it was broken by the Israelites and replaced with the new covenant of Jesus (Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Hebrews 8:6-10), Jesus Himself said that He could be found in the Law, the psalms and the prophets (LUKE 24:27, 44-45). So what does Jesus “look like” when we find Him in the Law?

In earlier devotionals we considered Jesus as revealed in the Tabernacle, and that is certainly a portion of what Jesus meant, but not all of it. Whether it is the “freedom” from unpayable debt, encumbrances and slavery (Deuteronomy 15) or the Passover lamb with unbroken bones whose blood granted “freedom” from death, we that Jesus – not Moses – it the ultimate Deliverer. Dreamers of dreams and false speakers of prophecy will abound in the world, but it is Jesus – the Word of God – who is the mediator of the new covenant, thereby being the ultimate Law-giver. And so we “see” Jesus in the Law teaching how we are to treat the poor and downtrodden.

In the Law of Moses we ponder the choice to follow earthly kings, or to submit to the King of Kings. The temptation to follow the ways of the world that are abominable to God will always be with us, but it is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” who is the only way that leads to God (JOHN 14:6). And as we consider the Cities of Refuge in the Law, hear the call of Christ to the guilty to come unto Him for rest and refuge (Matthew 11:28).

The call of God is “listen to Him”. It sounds so simple. Still, excuses abound in the hearts and minds of people. Like in the Parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14:16-24, we find excuses in our jobs, our property and even our families. Notice how for the Israelite warrior, these things were valid excuses (Deuteronomy 20:1-9) and God even makes an allowance for fearfulness. Not so, with Jesus. In days gone by, Yahweh Elohim spoke to mankind in many ways through many prophets, but now has spoken to all through Jesus – God with us – the Creator become flesh so we could see the image of God in the form of man (from among you)

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” HEBREWS 1:1-3

The Prophet is the Son of God who is the Word of God. He has spoken. All we have to decide is whether it is worth it to us to listen?

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!