The Law of Prophecy
Moses laid out the law of prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 and pointed to another prophet that would be like him to help the people hear God’s will for them. Rather than quote the entire passage, I urge you to read it for yourself.
What is a prophet?
A prophet speaks what God commands
This is the primary law of prophecy. We see this repeated throughout scripture. This is one of the ways God communicates with us and is primarily about how we should act – not about foretelling the future. Even when it is foretelling it is often rooted in God’s known will – for example, prophets told the people disaster was impending when they rebelled against God’s leadership – clear echoes from the warnings in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
People are accountable to the words of a prophet
We will answer for our failure to properly respond to words and warnings from the prophets God sent to help us. Frequently what the prophet proclaimed was unpopular and radical change was called for. No matter how resistant we are to change, we must heed the words of prophecy.
The words the prophet speaks come to pass
Another hallmark law of prophecy is that what a prophet speaks in God’s name must come to pass. Attaching God’s name to what we think should happen is the mark of a false prophet. We see false prophets in various places in the OT. False prophets said Ahab should attack the enemy because he would be victorious. The prophet Micaiah said Ahab would be killed. He was killed. (1 Kings 22) Hananiah declared that the people would be brought back from Babylon within two years – however, the Lord declared that it would be 70 years and further declared that because of his false prophecy he would die within the year – he did! (Jeremiah 28)
So, who were the prophets that God raised up like Moses?
The first thing we may think of when we talk about the prophets are the familiar ones we find in the Old Testament. Here are some of them.
Samuel
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:19–21 (ESV)
David
He was anointed king but some of his Psalms carry are clearly prophetic words.
Elijah and Elisha
They opposed the kings of Israel by proclaiming the word of the Lord. They also performed miracles including raising the dead, healing leprosy and multiplying bread to feed a large crowd.
Isaiah
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
Jeremiah
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 1:4–8 (ESV)
Ezekiel
And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.” Ezekiel 3:4 (ESV)
Prophets for today
Prophecy took on additional dimensions during New Testament times. The first distinctive we find is that words of prophecy was extended to those filled with the Spirit. Peter declared this transformational truth in his Pentecost sermon.
And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Acts 2:17–18 (ESV)
Another dimension of the law of prophesy included those specially gifted by the Holy Spirit as explained in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4.
A special prophet
One missing characteristic we see in all the examples given and throughout scripture is the descriptor that Moses gave: ‘like me.’ Two important things happened when Moses led the people from Egypt to the border of the Promised Land. First, the people entered a covenant with God and, second, Moses was the one who mediated that covenant.
Ultimate fulfilment of Moses’ words was the Messiah – Jesus. He initiated a new covenant as he explained he instituted the Lord’s Supper with his disciples recorded specifically in Matthew 26 and Luke 22.
This was further affirmed by the apostles as recorded in this passage.
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ Acts 3:17–23 (ESV)
Jesus clearly fulfilled the law of prophecy by speaking the words of the Father.
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 5:19 (ESV)
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30 (ESV)
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” John 12:49 (ESV)
He spoke by word and deed
Jesus brought a baptism.
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 (ESV)
This powerful passage reminds us of the work Jesus can do in our lives. His baptism is with the Holy Spirit – and fire – to purge the dross out of our lives and reveal who we were created to be – very precious – the law of purification in the Old Testament was that gold and silver would be purified by fire!
He spoke the words of life.
As we follow Jesus we hear the way to eternal life and the way to abundant life. He gives us guidance to help us through every trial and temptation.
He spoke with acts of mercy and grace.
And he still speaks this way offering healing and forgiveness, restoration and renewal through his death and resurrection.
As we explore God’s Word further we see all the evidence we need to truly believe that Jesus is the one we should follow – he truly and completely fulfills the law of prophecy.
Your turn
Here is your guidance for reading and study as you join in our journey through the Bible.
Weekly Reading: Deuteronomy 13-34 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
- It was essential that the people continue to hear from God through the prophetic voice. Moses promised them that this would happen. We see many prophetic voices throughout scripture, but Jesus was the ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy.
- God earnestly desired to bless his people. The promises and warnings he gave them in Deuteronomy 28 become a strong foundation for so many prophetic warnings given to the people throughout the ages that followed.
Questions for consideration:
- God gave the people many holy days, feasts and celebrations to remember his promises and strengthen their faith. What can we learn from this today?
- The Sabbatical year was important, although there is no record of it ever being observed among the people. Why did God set aside this year? What does it tell us about God’s plan, his faithfulness and provision for us even today?
- How important was it to select Joshua to succeed Moses in leading the people to the promised land? How did Moses prepare Joshua for this task?
- What are some of the themes of the song of Moses recorded in Deuteronomy 32?