• COLOURS OF LIFE
We are running a series that shows us the relevance of Jesus to each book of the bible. I hope you are enjoying the write ups as much as I am. Today, we take a look at the book of Deuteronomy, with my daughter….
Deuteronomy marks the end of the Torah, the collective name for the first 5 books of the Bible, meaning ‘instruction’ or ‘law’. Moses’ death is recorded at the close of this book and it definitely feels like the end of an era. After all, Moses has been the central figure since his birth in Exodus.
The entire book is quite emotional. It covers a climatic point in Israel’s history when they are just about to enter into the Promised Land. Of course, they are 40 years later than they should be (now that is a story for another day).
Moses was given the task of instructing the Israelites in God’s ways. He knows he is about to die, so he gives a recap of: who God is what God has done what God wants His people to do in return
how the previous generation of Israelites responded, and finally
what the new generation should do, going forward
There is also a lot of prophecy in this book; Moses speaks in great detail of the future of the nation. It is amazing! I find prophetic passages to be great proof/confirmation of the divinity of the Bible and the existence of God.
The greatest prophecy Moses gives is one of Jesus:
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your
own brothers. You must listen to Him.” – Deuteronomy 18:15
The Bible actually says – not that Moses is like Jesus, but – Jesus is like Moses. What an honour for Moses! And one I’d say is rightfully earned. There truly was no prophet like him (until Jesus of course). He alone kept about 2 million insubordinate ex-slaves in check for 40 years. He was the instrument of God’s power against the Egyptians. He basically ensured the survival of the race that would change the world.
Jesus did none of those things, so in what ways exactly is He the prophet who is like Moses? Well..
MOSES
•Was nearly killed when Pharaoh ordered the murder of all male Hebrew new-borns (Exodus 1:22) •Led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt (Exodus 3:10) • Spoke face to face with God (Numbers 12:8) • Gave the Israelites God’s old law from Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24; the whole Torah basically) • Interceded for the Israelites, even when their wrong was against him (Exodus 32:9-14; Numbers 21:6) • Was a priest as well as a prophet (Psalm 99:6) • Built the tabernacle, God’s old dwelling amongst humans (Exodus 25-31, 35-40)
You may wonder what relevance the fact that Jesus is a prophet like Moses has to our life?
After Moses says the people must listen to that prophet who will come, Yahweh goes on to say something quite serious: anyone who does not listen to the prophet will be held accountable to God. Later, in the book of Acts, Peter says that everyone who does not listen to the prophet will be destroyed.
The importance of recognizing Jesus as the prophet like Moses is realising that Jesus is not only like Moses but is greater than.
Our salvation depends entirely on Him. Whereas the Law of Moses only spelt out our rewards and punishments for this life, the ‘law’ of Christ spells them out for the next. The repercussions to the Israelites (and to us) for failing to obey Jesus would be much more than the repercussions for failing to obey Moses.
Now, God isn’t trying to catch people out with eternal damnation. Rather, He is looking
JESUS
• Was nearly killed when Herod ordered the murder of all babies in Bethlehem under 2 (Matthew 2:16) •Leads humankind out of the captivity of sin into God’s freedom (John 8:31-36; Romans 6:16-18) • Saw God face to face (John 6:46) • Gave humankind God’s new law from an unnamed mountain (Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7; all the Gospels) • Intercedes for humankind, even the ones who hate Him (Romans 8:34; Luke 23:34) • Is a priest as well as a prophet (Hebrews 4:14) • Built (and is still building) the Church, God’s new dwelling amongst humans (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 6:19) to save us. He has laid the terms out plainly. He has spelt out the consequences of our choice. The decision is now yours: will you choose life or death?
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” Deuteronomy 30:19
Tarari Kalango
COLOURS OF LIFE SHOW
Our Colours of Life shows now airs on DOVE TV, DSTV channel 349, every Saturday at 3pm.
This week I would be talking to Nneka Anyachaebelu, who runs the Family Word Centre, about Parenting in the 21st Century. You must not miss this topical conversation. You can watch all episodes on you tube (Colours of Life TV).