God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses. The book of
Deuteronomy is Moses’ last address to the people before entering the Promised
Land. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson is a part of a section dealing with
prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false prophets. This
true Moses will mediate between the Lord and the people. The passage explains
how through Moses God provided for the institution of prophecy. True prophecy
demands obedience on the part of the people and loyalty by the prophets.
A prophet is one who speaks for God. God tells him what to
say. He puts his words into the prophet’s mouth, and thus he becomes the
mouthpiece or the loudspeaker of God. The prophet cn take no credit for what he
says. The truth is not his. Because he is not responsible for the content of
his message, he can speaks boldly. Herein is the source of the authority and
power of preaching. God’s Word, not the prophet’s, has the authority and power.
This calls for biblical preaching, for preaching the Word.
The people are called to heed this word. (v. 19) The prophet
has the responsibility to proclaim faithfully God’s Word while the people have
the responsibility to heed the Word by obeying. The authority of the Word
proclaimed must be recognized, accepted, and obeyed. The Word that is to be
obeyed comes through the words of the preacher-prophet. He is the voice of God.
He is the mediator between God and the people. God does not speak directly to
people. He chooses to speak through the preacher as he declares the Word. If
the sermon is true to God’s Word, it is to be more than enjoyed or discusses;
it is to be obeyed.
Blessed Lord, You have caused
all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear
them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort
of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of
eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[1]
Lord Jesus Christ, giver and pefecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]
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