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15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” 17 The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” (Deuteronomy 18:15-20 NIV Bible)
Happy Wednesday, dear Friend. May we be willing to hear God's call on our lives; may we respond with yes if God says move from there to here; from comfort and complacency to conflict and compassion. May we fear God enough to answer Him.
Growing up I was thankful to have older friends or friends of my father or coworkers who would talk about the military and some of their learned or perceived do's and don'ts. "Never volunteer," seemed to be the one that I heard most. I also learned to chuckle at "Will any of you volunteer or will I have to volunteer you?" Sadly, that thinking worked its way into the Church and ministry. "I'm already doing enough." "Get someone else to do that." And this passage, though from the time of Moses, still rings out the truth about the need still present among God's people; the need to speak prophetic words. We've learned that a prophet is quite literally a "mouthpiece of God," who when listening and obedient to God, will speak the words shared by God for God's people. And as we've learned from the study of prophets, it is not an easy or desired job. God's truth is hard and it sometimes hurts both the audience and the prophet. Yet, it is important that God's word get through, received and believed.
In this passage, God is saying He is going to raise up a prophet like Moses. I say good choice! This is a powerful and deliberate choice; Moses, the liberator, the lawgiver, the one who spoke face-to-face with God. It is Moses who becomes the benchmark for this future prophet. This goes beyond mere imitation; it's about a lineage of profound connection, and carries with it a promise of continued guidance and revelation from God.
God also says that this new prophet will come from among you. "From your fellow Israelites," meaning this won't be a distant, unknown figure; it's someone from their own soil, someone they can relate to, someone who speaks their language and understands their struggles. This prophet embodies the potential within each member of the community, a reminder that prophecy isn't' reserved for a select few. Think Martin Luther King, whose voice spoke God's truth, and he came from among his people to speak hope to their woes.
God speaks of the weight of words. "You must listen to him," Moses insists. These words carry the weight of history, the knowledge that true prophets speak not their own words, but God's. Listening isn't just about passive acceptance; it's about active engagement, opening our hearts and minds to the divine message being delivered. The passage offers a stark warning: "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death." The potential for deception is real, and discernment becomes crucial. We are called to listen with both open hearts and critical minds, seeking the truth amidst the cacophony of voices.
This ancient promise carries echoes of hope and responsibility for us today: The call for genuine guidance and revelation remains relevant. We are to look for those who connect you to God, who speaks truth with compassion, and whose lives embody the message they carry. We are also called to recognize our own potential. The spirit of prophecy is not limited to specific figures. We are all called to be voices of truth, love, and justice in our own spheres of influence. We also are called to listen with discernment. In a world overflowing with ready information and varied opinions, we should develop the ability to distinguish between the whispers of God and the clamor of noise. Finally, we are to stay connected to the source. In the end, all true prophecy will lead us back to God. We should keep our hearts anchored in His word, in prayer, and in a life of seeking His will.
PRAYER: Awesome God, open our ears to hear your voice, whether spoken through ancient prophets, contemporary messengers, or the quiet whispers within our own hearts. Grant us the wisdom to discern truth from deceit, the courage to speak your word, and the humility to receive guidance from those who carry your light. May our lives be testaments to your enduring promises, beacons of hope and truth in a world that yearns for your guiding hand, in Christ Jesus we pray, amen. Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Seek prophetic voices as you recognize your own potential to share God's truth in all you say, think,and do.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
