from Israel My Glory, Vol. 50, No.5
Messiah In The Law, Part 3
by Will Varner
There were three administrative offices established
by God for His people Israel: the king, the priest, and the prophet.
The king ruled over Israel for God; the priest represented the people
before God; and the prophet spoke to the people from God.
THE PROPHET LIKE MOSES (DT 18:15–19)
Each was anointed with oil when he assumed his office either as king (1 Sam. 16:3), priest (Ex. 28:41), or prophet (1 Ki. 19:16). Thus, each could be referred to as an “anointed one” or a “messiah” (mashiah in Hebrew) in the general sense of the term. While an individual could serve as both a priest and a prophet (e.g., Samuel), and one person might serve as both king and prophet (e.g., David), no single Israelite ever served in the dual roles of priest and king. Those who attempted to do so were judged by God (1 Sam. 13; 2 Chr. 26:16–21). Only the Messiah could serve as both priest and king (Zech. 6:12–13). The role of prophet also would belong to the Messiah, thus combining all three of these normally separate offices.
In Deuteronomy 18:15–19, Moses informed Israel that someday God would send a prophet like no other. He listed seven characteristics of this prophet: 1. He would be called by God (“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,” v. 15). 2. He would be an Israelite (“from the midst of thee, of thy brethren,” v. 15). 3. He would be like Moses (“a Prophet … like unto me,” v. 15). 4. He would have the authority of a prophet (vv. 16–17). 5. He would be obeyed (“unto him ye shall hearken,” v. 15; “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,” v. 19). 6. He would speak only God’s word (“I … will put my words in his mouth,” v. 18). 7. He would certify himself by tested prophecies (vv. 21–22).
This remarkable passage made a deep impression on the Jews of Jesus’ day. Embedded within the consciousness of the people was a conviction that someday a prophet would arrive who would be like none who had appeared before him in Israel’s history. He would be the fulfillment of Moses’ description in this passage. The expectation of this prophet extended from the priests (see their question to John the Baptist in John 1:21), to the Qumran sect (see the Dead Sea Scrolls), and down to the common people.
On two occasions in Jesus’ ministry, the crowds said of Him, “This is of a truth that prophet” (Jn. 6:14; 7:40), identifying Jesus with the one promised in Deuteronomy 18. In the infant days of the Church, both Peter (Acts 3:22–24) and Stephen (Acts 7:37) saw in Jesus’ life and ministry the fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy.
It is striking to note how Jesus fulfilled all seven of the characteristics of the prophet mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15–19.
1. He was called by God (Lk. 9:35).
2. He was an Israelite (Mt. 1; Jn. 1:49).
3. He was a mediator like Moses (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:1, 3).
4. He spoke with an authority unlike the teachers of His day (Mt. 7:28–29; 21:10–11).
5. God declared that His words must be obeyed (Mt. 17:5).
6. He spoke the Word of God in God’s name (Jn. 12:48–49; Jn. 5:45).
7. He certified Himself by miracles and prophecies that no one could deny (Jn. 3:2; Acts 2:22; Mt. 24:2).
In Jesus, the Jewish person finds all that the Hebrew Scriptures describe as essential for life. As the anointed King, He has a kingdom in which to rule over willing subjects. As the anointed Priest, He is the sacrifice for our sins, and He intercedes for us in God’s presence. As the anointed Prophet, He is the faithful voice of divine instruction. He is Messiah—Prophet, Priest, and King in one indescribable person. Let us worship Him, adore Him, and proclaim Him to Jews and Gentiles alike, for He meets the need of our hearts for time and eternity.
 Will Varner is professor of Bible and Greek at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California.
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