The Prophet
of Deuteronomy 18:18
by Dawud Jabal
In Deuteronomy 18:18-19, God told Moses,
"I will raise up a prophet from among their brethren like you, and I will
put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command
him. And it will come about that whoever will not listen to My words
which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him."
Moses -
- Great Lawgiver for his nation. Jesus taught on his own authority the
laws of Allah and raised observance of those laws to a new and higher level
(Matthew chapters 5, 6 & 7): He taught as an authority and the people were
amazed (Matthew 7:28-29); He selected and taught the two greatest laws
(Matthew 22:35-40); He gave a new commandment (John 13:34-35); and at the
very end of His teaching and leadership on earth, He delivered orders to
His followers regarding "all that I have commanded you." (Matt. 28:19-20)
- One of the Two Men who were commissioned by Allah to make laws for the
Israelite nation. The approval of Heaven on both was shown by great signs
and miracles. At the time of Moses there was the Exodus from the hand of
ancient Pharaoh, feeding with manna and quails and with water from the
rocks. At the time of Jesus there was healing crippled, blind, deaf,
speechless and epileptics. He even threw demons out of people. Many dead
people were raised back to life and health (also see Matt. 27:52-52);
feeding of 5000 and of 4000 men, plus women and children.
- Had His Face Glow With Light, but it faded away (Exodus 34:29-35 and
2nd Corinthians 3:12-13). The face of Jesus shined like the sun (Matthew
17:1-5) and is still shining like the sun while in heaven (Revelation 1:9-19).
- Deliverer of His Brethren who would Follow Him Out of Physical Slavery
then he gave them the law. Jesus came and gave law and commandments to His
followers. Then He delivered them and other followers around the world out
of the spiritual slavery of sin and Satan.
- Was Born into a Situation When his Brethren were being Oppressed by
Pharaoh. Jesus was born into the time when the pagan idolatrous Roman
empire was oppressing His brethren.
- Was Born in a Country where a Man, Pharaoh, was Worshiped as Allah.
When Jesus was born the ruling Romans worshiped Caesar as Allah.
- Grew up in a Country where the King, Pharaoh, was Afraid that the Slaves
would Revolt. Jesus grew up where King Herod, "the Great," was afraid the
descendants of those very same slaves would revolt.
- Was Nursed a Short Time at His Birthplace, Then was Moved for His Safety.
The infant Moses was placed in a floating basket in the Nile (Exodus 2 and
Acts 7:20). Jesus was nursed a short time in Bethlehem and then was taken
to Egypt for safety (Matt. 2).
- Was Nursed by His Own Mother while the Official Government Policy was to
Try Kill Him. King Herod tried to kill the infant Jesus (Matt. 2).
- Father was a Mystery to the General Public. The Father of Jesus and the
facts of His virgin birth were a mystery to the general public (Luke 1).
- Was Adopted into the Royal Family of Pharaoh. Jesus was adopted by His
step-father, Joseph, into the royal family line of King David and Solomon
(Matt. 1).
- Rejected being Kingly in Life-style (Hebrews 11:23-29). Jesus did not
have the life-style of royalty (Matt. 4:8-11; John 6:15 & 18:36).
- Lived in Egypt. Jesus lived in Egypt as an infant (Matt. 2:13-21).
- Came Out of Egypt to Serve Allah and be A Lawgiver and Leader. Jesus came
out of Egypt to be a lawgiver and leader.
- 40 Years was Tested in Wilderness. Jesus was tested 40 days in the
wilderness and had approximately 40 months of public teaching and miracle
working.
- 40 Days Fasting (Exodus 34:28). Jesus fasted 40 days (Matt. 4).
- A Shepherd of sheep. Jesus is the Great Good Shepherd of His followers
(John 10:11-16).
- The White Hand of Leprosy (Exodus 4:6-7). Jesus healed many different
people of leprosy (Luke 17:11-19).
- Asked that the great Sin of His People be Forgiven (Exodus 32:31-32).
Jesus asked that the great sin of His people be forgiven (Luke 23:34).
- Had the cloud of Allah and the voice of Allah as a witness of his
authority (Numbers 11:24-25). Jesus had the cloud of Allah and the voice of
Allah as a witness of His authority (Matthew 17:24-25).
- Exercised power from Allah over forces of nature such as wind and water.
At the Red (Reed) Sea, he walked through on dry ground (Exodus 14). Jesus
walked on water and instantly calmed a storm (Matt. 14).
- Fire was important. At Mt. Horeb/Mt. Sinai there was fire (Ex. 3:1-6;
19:18 and 24:12-18) and there was the pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21-22). Jesus
baptized the people with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11-17 and
Acts 2:1-4) and at the Transfiguration His face shined like the fire of the
sun (John 17:1-3). Also see 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 3:11-14;
Hebrews 12:29; and 2 Peter 3:1-14.
- Was faithful as a Servant in all his house (Hebrews 3:5). Jesus was
faithful as a Son over His house (Hebrews 3:6).
- Brought water from a rock by a miracle of Allah (Exodus 17). Jesus
Himself was the Living Water which was brought out of the tomb-rock which
could not hold Him (John 7:37-38).
- Asked that his nation be saved or else that his own name be blotted out
of the Lord's book (Exodus 32:31-32). Jesus was willing to die, and did
die, and was resurrected and thereby shown to be the perfect and acceptable
ransom for sin.
- A mountain was prominent in his work where the law was given for a
nation. A mountain was prominent in the work of Jesus. He gave the famous
Sermon on the Mountain with the law for people of all nations (Matthew 5, 6, & 7).
- His followers were angry when other people showed performing signs
(Numbers 11:26-29). Followers of Jesus did the same (Mark 9:38-40).
- An angel watched over his body (Jude 9). Jesus had at least two angels
watching over His body (John 20).
- Had revealed to him the special sacred memorial or covenant Name of Allah
(often called "Jehovah" in English) (Exodus 3:13-15). That special name was
bestowed to Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11).
- Was mighty in words and deeds (Acts 7:22). Jesus was more powerful in
words and deeds (Matt. 7:28-29; and 8:3-13).
- Sent 12 men to look over the land secretly (Numbers 12). Jesus sent out
his 12 disciples to look over the same land and to publicly preach
repentance and to cast out unclean spirits (Mark 6:6-13).
- Did not have special clothing symbolic of his rank. Jesus also did not
have special clothing showing His rank.
- Did not have biological sons to carry on his spiritual functions.
Neither did Jesus.
- Was very gracious to foreign women at wells and gave them water (Exodus
2:15-17). Jesus was gracious to the Samaritian woman at Jacob's well and
gave her the Water of Life (John 4). He was also gracious to: Mary
Magdalene out of whom He threw 7 demons (Mark 16:9); Marium and Martha the
sisters of Lazarus (Luke 10:38-41 and John 11); the woman arrested during
adultery and he commanded her to stop sinning (John 8); the widow at Nain
and He brought her son back to life (Luke 7:11-17); and He allowed the
women to be the first to know that He had been raised from the dead (Matt.
28 and Mark 16).
- True identity was not known at first to the women at the well (Exodus 2).
The true identity of Jesus was not known at first to the woman at the well
(John 4).
- Lived modestly, only once being given an offering (Leviticus 8:29). Jesus
lived a very modest life, sometimes not even owning a place to sleep (Luke
9:58).
- Was involved in the activities of the holy Tabernacle on earth (Exodus
25-40). Jesus is involved in the perfect Tabernacle in Heaven made by Allah
(Hebrews 8).
- Was humble. Jesus was gentle and humble (Matt. 11:28-30).
- Gave blessings from Allah to be given via Aaron to the people (Numbers
6:22-27). Jesus gave blessing from Allah to the people (Matt. 5:1-12) and
told His followers to bless others (Luke 6:27-28).
- Got complaints from the people who had been trained to write (Exodus
5:13-23). Jesus got complaints from the scribes (writers of the law) (Matt.
9:2-8; 16:21; and 21:12-16).
- Opponent, Pharaoh, had his heart hardened (Ex. 7:3). Jesus' opponents had
their hearts hardened because He healed on the Sabbath (Luke 6:7-11).
- Law caused severe punishment, even death. Even greater punishment is
against those who go back against Jesus (Hebrews 10:28-31).
- Spoke to the 70 elders of Israel (Ex. 24:1 and Numbers 11). Jesus spoke
to the 70 elders (called the Sanhedrin) (Luke 22:70-71).
- Had sacrifices for the Covenant sealed with blood (Ex. 24:1-8). Jesus
also sealed His new Covenant with blood (Hebrews 9:18-28).
- Provided ransom by pouring out blood as a sacrifice (Ex. 12). Jesus
similarly (Matt. 20:28 & Hebrews 9:11-15).
- Closed the way to the Ark of the Covenant (Testimony) with a thick
curtain (Ex. 26:33). Jesus, at His death, had the thick curtain in the
temple torn open from top to bottom, opening the way (Matt 27 and Mark 15).
- Was almost stoned by his brethren (Ex. 17:4). And Jesus also (John 8:58-59).
- Had a peculiar bed as an infant (Ex. 2:3). Jesus also had a peculiar bed
(Luke 2:7).
- Was raised by the daughter of the king (Ex. 2). Jesus' mother was a
daughter of the House of King David by his son, Nathan (Luke 3).
- Was raised in the house of a man who was not his father, but he was
adopted into the family (Ex. 2). Jesus was raised in the house of Joseph
who was not His biological father, but He was adopted into the family
(Matt. 1:18 & 25 and Acts 7:20-21).
- Fought against the masters of evil (Ex. 5-12). Jesus battled Satan (Matt. 4:1-10).
- Left a high position in the most powerful nation on earth to suffer for
his people (Exodus 2-12 and Hebrews 11:23-27). Jesus left the highest
position in Heaven to suffer for His people and to make ransom available to
all people (Philippians 2:5-8).
- Spoke the words of Allah (Deuteronomy 18:18 and others). Jesus spoke the
words of Allah, the Father (John 12:50 & 14:10).
- Spoke by Allah's authority (Deut. 18:19). Jesus spoke by Allah's
authority (John 8:42 & 17:4-6).
- Fed multitudes of people by miracles (Ex. 16). Jesus fed multitudes
(Matt. 14 and 15).
- Opened an era of law (Ex. 19 & 20). Jesus opened an era of grace and
truth (John 1:17).
- Established a memorial custom (Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover)
based on common food elements (Ex. 12). Jesus established the memorial of
Himself by a custom utilizing two common food elements of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread and Passover (Luke 22:19-20).
- Finished the work which Allah commanded him (Ex. 40:33). Jesus completed
His work (John 17:4 and & 19:30).
- Does not have a known tomb where the body is located (Deut. 34). Jesus'
tomb is empty because after death, he was raised up alive and ascended into
Heaven (Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:50-53).
- Reappeared unto men after death (Matt. 17:3). Jesus reappeared to people,
even to 500 at once, after His death and resurrection (Matt. 28; Mark 16;
Luke 24; John 20 & 21; and Acts 1:1-3).
- Was rejected by his family (Numbers 12). Jesus' own half-brothers
rejected Him at first (Matt. 13:55 & John 7:5). But, later at least two
were believers and wrote the two New Testament books of James and Jude.
Here are some of the observations of eye witnesses of the life of Jesus,
the prophet.
The people said after Jesus fed over 5,000 people, "This is of a truth the
Prophet who is to come into the world. ... They were intending to come and
take Him by force, to make Him King..." (John 6:14-15). Philip proclaimed,
"We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote,
Jesus of Nazareth, the [adopted step-] son of Joseph." (John 1:45). Andrew
said, "We have found the Messiah." (John 1:14). Nethanael declared, "Rabbi,
You are the Son of Allah." (John 1:49). Peter preached that the Prophet of
Deuteronomy 18:18 is Jesus and that "Allah announced beforehand by the
mouth of all the prophets that His Messiah should suffer He has thus
fulfilled. " (Acts 3:18-27). Also see Stephen's message (Acts 7:37 & 52).
Jesus stated that Moses wrote about Him (Luke 24:27 and John 5:46).
Who Are The Brethren of The Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:18?
In fifth book of the Prophet Moses, Deuteronomy, Chapter 18:18-19,
God told Moses:
"I will raise up a prophet from among their brethren like you, and I
will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I
commanded him. And it will come about that whoever will not listen to My
words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him."
The question comes as to who are "their brethren?" ["a-hey-hem," in the
Hebrew language of the Bible].
The prophecy was given through the prophet Moses, who was the leader of the
sons of Israel during the time of the Exodus from ancient Egypt. The word
"their" refers to the sons of Israel.
The word "brethren" [or "brothers" in Hebrew] is more interesting. Does it
refer to sons of Israel or more distant relatives such as other sons of the
Prophet Abraham, including those of the Arabs and even the Meccan tribe of
the Quraysh?
The word "brother" in Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament is "ah."
The same word is used in the Arabic language (sura 5:30). The "a" is long.
The "h" is hard, sounding something like the sound of the "ch" in the
Scottish word "loch." In "their brethren?" ["ah-ey-hem] the "ey-hem" is the
ending indicating "their." Both Hebrew and Arabic as Semitic languages put
various endings on words to indicate plural, possession, etc.
The same Hebrew word for "brother" is used in these ways in the books of
prophecy given by Allah through Moses:
- The Levites, the priestly tribe, were brethren (Deuteronomy 18:2 and 10:9)
- The king of Israel is to come from the brothers (Deut 17:15)
- The king of Israel is not to raise himself over his brothers (Deut 17:20)
- Brother Israelites as different from aliens (Deut 1:16)
- Brothers, the sons of Israel (Deut 3:18)
- Brothers Israelites as distinct from foreigners (Deut 15:2-3)
- Brother Israelites (Deut 15:7 & 11)
- Brother Israelites at war (Deut 20:8)
- Brothers among the tribes of Israel (Deut 33:9 & 16 & 24)
- Brothers, Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:2-11)
- Abraham, half-brother of Sarah (Gen 20:5-16)
- Brothers Esau and Jacob the sons of Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 25:26)
But the two times when the distant relatives were identified as "brothers,"
they were spelled out and specifically identified by their name and
relationship or location:
- "Brothers, sons of Esau" (Deut 2:4 & 8)
- "Brothers of Edom" (Numbers 20:14)
Because the law and prophecy given by Allah through the prophet Moses used
the word "brother/brothers" [when only by itself] to mean only sons of
Israel, the prophecy in Deut 18:18, should also be understood to refer only
to a prophet who would come from the sons of Israel, not from some more
distant relationship.
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