Raised Up! (part 1 of 6)

We may have many plans in mind for the future. Perhaps some of those plans are linked to short term goals while others are way off in the future. As the short term plans come into being, hopefully we are encouraged by progress toward the long term. The focuses along the way are intended to urge us on toward the fulfillment of GREATER things.

As Moses prepared the nation of Israel for entrance into the promise land, he knew he was not going to be able to enter himself. Though he had been the one to lead the people out of Egypt, he would not be the one to guide them into the land God was giving them.

Moses encouraged the people, revealing…
“(15) The LORD YOUR GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM AMONG YOU, from your brothers -- it is TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN -- (16) just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ (17) And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. (18) I WILL RAISE UP FOR THEM A PROPHET LIKE YOU FROM AMONG THEIR BROTHERS. And I WILL PUT MY WORDS IN HIS MOUTH, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. (19) And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.” ( Deuteronomy 18:15-19 ESV)

Joshua was the one to lead Israel into the promised land. He became God’s spokesman. However, the full focus of A PROPHET who would be raised up was actually looking ahead even beyond Joshua.

Note the GREATER focus of Peter when he quoted Moses.
“(22) Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. (23) And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ (24) And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, ALSO PROCLAIMED THESE DAYS. (25) You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ (26) GOD, HAVING RAISED UP HIS SERVANT, SENT HIM TO YOU FIRST, TO BLESS YOU by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” ( Acts 3:22-26 ESV)

Drawing the attention of this crowd to the reality of Jesus being the Christ ( Acts 3:17-21), Peter reminded his listeners on this occasion that Moses had spoken of A PROPHET and THIS PROPHET was the MESSIAH Who had come. A PROPHET like Moses, but GREATER. As Moses was God’s chosen deliverer from bondage, Jesus (the Messiah) was sent by God and was raised up to be the GREAT Deliverer from the bondage to sin and death. Therefore the Hebrew writer noted that Jesus was worthy of GREATER honor ( Hebrews 3:3) because Moses was faithful as a servant ( Hebrews 3:5) while Jesus was faithful as a son over God’s house. ( Hebrews 3:6) And not only did Jesus have the word of God in His mouth, but He was Himself the Word become flesh ( John 1:1-2 & 14) to dwell for a while among mankind.

As the teaching of Jesus is raised, let our attention also be raised so that our life may be raised to the standard God has established for life.

Have a great day ENCOURAGED BY THE GREATNESS OF GOD’S PLANS!
Carl

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