Who is the prophet "like unto" Moses that God will raise up?

In this passage God promises to raise up a prophet from Israel, “from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto” Moses. This can be seen in two connected ways. First, God would keep sending true prophets to guide Israel, speaking His words like Moses did. Second, this promise points ahead to one great Prophet who would fully match and surpass Moses. The New Testament applies this to Jesus, who came from Israel, spoke only what the Father gave Him, did mighty works, and revealed God’s will in a fuller way than anyone else.

What does it mean that God will put His words in the prophet’s mouth?

When God says, “I will put my words in his mouth,” He is saying that this prophet will not speak his own ideas. God Himself will give him the message. The prophet will say exactly what God commands, not less and not more. This fits the whole line of true prophets, who were meant to be God’s messengers, and it fits Jesus perfectly. Jesus said His teaching was not His own, but from the Father, and He made known everything the Father wanted His people to hear.

Why are the people commanded to listen to this prophet?

The people are told, “unto him ye shall hearken,” because this prophet is God’s chosen way to speak to them. Earlier, at Horeb, they were terrified by God’s voice and the fire on the mountain and begged for a human go‑between. God agreed that their request was good and promised to speak through a prophet instead. To ignore this prophet is to ignore God Himself. That is why God says He will “require it” of anyone who will not listen, meaning He will call them to account and judge their refusal.

What was happening at Horeb that made the people ask for a prophet?

At Horeb, God came down in fire and spoke the law with a powerful voice. The mountain burned, the sound was overwhelming, and the people were terrified. They felt that if they kept hearing God directly in that way, they would die. So they asked that God speak to them through Moses instead. In this passage, God reminds them of that day and promises to continue meeting that need by raising up a prophet from among them, so they can hear His will without the same fear they felt at the mountain.

How does this passage warn about false prophets?

After promising a true prophet, God also warns about people who claim to speak in His name without being sent. If someone presumes to speak in God’s name, or speaks for other gods, that person is called a false prophet and was to die under Israel’s law. God does not treat it lightly when someone uses His name to spread lies. This shows how serious it is to claim, “God told me,” when God has not spoken, and it protects the people from being led away from the true God.

How can Israel tell if a prophet has not spoken from God?

God gives a simple test for predictions. If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord about something that is going to happen, and it does not come to pass, then that word is not from God. The prophet has spoken from his own heart, in a bold and wrong way. The people are told not to be afraid of such a person, meaning they should not respect or follow him as God’s messenger. This test assumes there is no condition attached, such as repentance or judgment delayed.

What does it mean that God will "require" it of those who do not listen?

When God says, “I will require it of him,” He means He will personally call to account anyone who refuses to listen to the words spoken by the prophet in His name. This is more than just missing out on good advice. It is rejecting God’s own message. God later carried this out in history, for example in the judgment that fell on those who rejected His Son. The phrase shows that turning away from God’s appointed messenger brings real consequences, both in this life and in the life to come.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His guidance?

This passage shows that God is both holy and gentle in how He deals with His people. He is holy, because He will not tolerate false prophets or the worship of other gods, and He judges those who misuse His name. He is gentle and kind, because He listens to the people’s fear at Horeb and provides a human prophet to speak His words. He does not leave them guessing or chasing after magic and superstition. Instead, He promises clear, faithful guidance through the prophets and, in the fullest way, through Christ.

Deut.18.15

Deuteronomy 18:15

KJV

¶ The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

A Prophet Like Moses

¶ The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.