Deuteronomy 18
DOYLYDeuteronomy 18:18
- I will raise them up a Prophet &c.] The Jews term the highest degree of inspiration, that which was afforded to Moses, and enumerate several particulars, wherein that hath the preeminence and advantage over all others. In consequence of this prediction, that “a Prophet should arise among them like unto Moses,” a general expectation of some extraordinary Prophet prevailed particularly about the time of our Saviour. The Jews then, as well as since, understood and applied this prophecy to the Messiah, the only Prophet whom they will ever allow to be as great or greater than Moses. When our Saviour had fed five thousand men, by a miracle like that of Moses, who fed the Israelites in the wilderness, then those men said, “This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world,” John vi. 14. St. Peter and St. Stephen directly apply the prophecy to Him, Acts iii. 22, 23; vii. 37; and they may very well be justified for so doing: for He fully answers all the marks and characters which are here given of the “Prophet like unto Moses.” He had immediate communication with the Deity, and God spake to Him “face to face,” as He did to Moses. He performed “signs and wonders,” as great or greater than those of Moses. He was a “laughter,” as well as Moses. “I will raise them up a Prophet,” saith God: and the people glorified God, saying, “That a great Prophet is risen up among us,” Luke vii. 16. “I will put My words in His mouth,” saith God: and our Saviour saith, “I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak,” John xii. 49. Bp. Newton. This Prophet like unto Moses was our Lord Jesus Christ; who was by birth a Jew, of the middle class of the people, and resembled His predecessor in personal intercourse with God, miracles, and legislation, which no other Prophet ever did, Deut. xxxiv. 10—12; and to whom God, at His transfiguration, required the world to “hearken,” Matt. xvii. 5. Whence our Lord’s frequent admonition to the Jewish Church, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” Matt. xii. 15, &c. addressed also by “the Spirit” to the Christian Churches of Asia Minor, Rev. iii. 22. “The lamps” of both have been extinguished for their apos-
Deuteronomy 18:19
- And it shall come to pass, &c.] Several prophecies in the Old Testament plainly ascribe the destruction of the Jewish Church and nation, to their rejection, and putting to death, of the Messiah. To this purpose, these words of Moses are very remarkable: “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,” or, “every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people,” as St. Peter explains the sense of the prophecy, Acts iii. 23. Daniel expressly assigns their sin of “cutting off the Messiah,” as the cause of the destruction of their city and temple, Dan. ix. 26. And Zechariah, who lived after the people’s return from their first captivity, describes the mourning of the whole nation for their sin of “piercing” or crucifying Christ, as a preparation to their general restoration, Zech. xii. 10; xiii. 1. W. Louth.
Chap. XIX. Having sufficiently pressed upon the people the great commandment of loving God with all the heart and soul and strength, and Him alone: Moses now proceeds to remind them of other precepts belonging to the second table of the Commandments, but not in an exact method, nor without interposing some matters of a ceremonial nature. Bp. Patrick.
Ver. 2. Thou shalt separate three cities &c.] He be- Cities of refuge for the manslayer. Before CHRIST 1461. which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.