Moses, prior to his death told the children of Israel of a coming prophet. He said, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren, him you shall hear” (Deuteronomy 18:15), and again he said, “And the LORD said to me … I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which he speaks in My name, I will require it of him” (Deuteronomy 18:17-19).

Who was this prophet like unto Moses? Peter indicated that this foretold of prophet was Jesus (Acts 3:18-26).

There are many parallels between the life and work of Moses and Jesus. (1) Both were preserved in childhood (M: Exodus 2:2-10; J: Matthew 2:14-15). (2) Both were sent by God (M: Exodus 3:9-10. J: John 3:17, 4:34, 5:23; 5:24; 5:30; 5:36; 5:37; 5:38; 6:29; 6:38; 6:39; 6:40; 6:44; 6:57; 7:10; 7:18; 7:28; 7:29; 7:33; 8:16; 8:18; 8:26; 8:29; 8:42; 9:4; 11:42; 12:44; 12:45; 12:49; 13:16; 13:20; 14:24; 15:21; 16:5;17:3; 17:18; 17:21; 17:23; 17:25; 20:21; Acts 3:26; Galatians 4:4-5, etc.). (3) Both did miracles (M: Exodus 4:1-ff. J: John 3:2; 20:30). Both fasted forty days (M: Exodus 34:28. J: Matthew 4:2). (5) Both gave the people laws [M: The Bible speaks of “the law of Moses” (Joshua 8:31; 8:32; 23:6; 2 Chronicles 23:18; Ezra 3:2; 6:18; Daniel 9:11; 9:13, etc.). J: The Bible speaks of “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)]. (6) Both ratified new covenants for the people with blood (M: Exodus 24:1-8; Hebrews 9:16-ff. J: Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:16-28). (8) Both had seventy helpers (M: Numbers 11:16. J: Luke 10:1). (9) Both are called prophets (M: Deuteronomy 18:18. J: Luke 13:33; 24:19; Acts 3:22-23). (10) Both were involved in giving memorial feasts (M: Exodus 12:14. J: Luke 22:19). (11) Both made intercessory prayers (M: Exodus 32:32. J: John 17:9). (12) Both were willing to die for the people (M: Exodus 32:32. J: John 10:17). (13) Both were present when multitudes were miraculously fed (M: Exodus 16. J: John 6). (14) Both offered an opportunity for salvation (M: Exodus 14 cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Numbers 21 cf. John 3:14. J: John 3:14; Mark 16:15-16). (15) Both offered freedom (M: freedom from Egypt. J: freedom from sin). (16) Both offered a promised land [M: Canaan. J: Heaven (cf. Hebrews 3:16-4:14)].

The word “prophet” was used not so much for one who foretold, but for one whom by inspiration forth told. A prophet was God’s spokesman to the people (Exodus 4:15-16 cf. 7:1). God said of this coming prophet “(I) will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak to them all that I command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18). Jesus said, “I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should speak” (John 12:49). Again, “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does the works” (John 14:10).

Man should listen to this prophet. God said, “And it shall be that whoever will not hear my words, which he speaks in My name, I will require it of him” (Deuteronomy 18:19). God said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Luke 9:35). Jesus said, “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).