Deuteronomy 18:15-20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:17

Verse 17 17.They have well spoken. Moses relates how this desire of the people was approved by the judgment and the voice of God. Not as if whatever the foolish caprice of men may have urged them absurdly to ask, ought therefore to be immediately granted; but when God’s consent and, so to speak, His vote coincides with it, then whatever He shews to be pleasing to Him ought to stand firm and inviolable. Hence it follows that God, in sending the Prophets, provided for the salvation of men as was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:19

Verse 19 Thus far I have reviewed The Supplements To The First Commandment, which relate to the Ancient Types and Legal Worship. The Commandment itself will always remain in force, even to the end of the world; and is given not only to the Jews, but likewise to us also. But God formerly made use of the ceremonies as temporary aids, of which, although the use has ceased, the utility still remains; because from them it more clearly appears how God is to be duly served; and the spirit of religion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-22

Moses was not only the leader and ruler of the people, he was also the medium through which God communicated with the people, gave them his laws, and conveyed to them his word and will. In this respect his place could be supplied neither by priest nor by king. In the prospect of his demise, therefore, there required to be instituted another office, that of a prophet, one who should be between God and the people, as the channel through which Divine communications might pass to them. This office... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15

A Prophet . The Hebrew word so rendered ( נָבִיא ) is a derivative from a verb ( נָבָא ), which signifies to tell, to announce; hence the primary concept of the word is that of announcer, or forth-speaker; and to this the word "prophet" (Greek προφήτης from πρόφημι , I speak before or in place of) closely corresponds; the prophet is one who speaks in the place of God, who conveys God's word to men, who is an interpreter of God to men. ( As illustrative of the meaning of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-19

The Prophet like unto Moses. These chapters bring before us prophet. priest, and king—offices pointing forward to and culminating in Christ. Christ is distinctively, and in the complete sense, the Prophet like unto Moses ( Acts 3:22 ), Christ and Moses were alike— I. AS FOUNDERS OF DISPENSATIONS . It was the greatness of Moses that he was employed by God in inaugurating a new era in the history of his kingdom—in introducing a new order of things—in settling the foundations of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Prophecy. The term "Prophet" covers the whole series of Old Testament prophets, culminating in Christ, the Prophet like unto Moses par excellence (see infra ). I. PROPHECY IN GENERAL . The prophet—what? Etymologically, one "boiling or bubbling over" with the Divine inspiration. No mere religious genius, but one truly and supernaturally inspired. A revealer and declarer of the will of God. Future events were foretold: 1. As signs. 2. In warnings and appeals. 3. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

There should be no need for Israel to turn to heathen soothsayers, or diviners, or such like, because from amongst themselves, of their own brethren, would God raise up prophets like unto Moses, who, as occasion required, would reveal to them what God willed them to know. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

God speaking to man through man. The Exposition, as well as the Commentaries of Jameson and Keil, may, with great advantage, be consulted on this passage, and also Hengstenberg's 'Christology,' vol. 1. pp. 96-107. Our brief homiletic sketches assume that the student has already mastered the exegesis, and comprehended the intent of the passage. Its connection with the preceding paragraph is obvious. The people had been warned against having recourse to familiar spirits, etc; on the ground... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

The promised Prophet. From speaking of the paltry expectations about divination, Moses goes on to speak of the general plan of Divine revelation. The people had had the splendid chance of direct communion with God, without any mediation. God spoke to them from heaven at Sinai; but so afraid were they of immediate revelation that they implored Moses to mediate the message for them. He became consequently, with God's full approval, the human medium through which the Divine will was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Presages of the true Prophet. Captious men of the present day complain that they cannot see God—cannot hear his voice. In their heart they do not wish to see him. He will not reveal himself, as an object of curiosity, to the eye of speculation. He reveals himself to the conscience and to the loyal heart. But men do not wish to see him as the embodiment of righteousness. They shudder and flee away. Yet in no other way can they see him than as he truly is. In this circumstance of mutual... read more

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