Tuesday, November 29, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 18:15–18

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. (NRSV)

Reflection

“Oh Moses you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey Moses, Hey Moses!” This is for those of us 1980s hipsters.

Today’s scripture is Moses speaking to the Israelites as they were to enter the promised land following their forty-year wanderings in the wilderness.

Moses seemed like an impossible act to follow, and rightly so his flock was getting concerned about what (or whom) to expect after Moses. After all, Moses was now 120 years old, and for more than forty years the Lord had spoken through this one person. Moses was the mediator on behalf of the Israelites. So God makes a promise to his people through Moses.

Prophets are a rather complicated gift from God. And in uncertain times you just can’t be sure which is the real thing and which will lead you down the wrong path. How will we know who will guide and advocate for us? So God makes a promise.

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you” (v. 18).

We often encounter layers upon layers of difficulty in our effort to discern the word of God in our midst. So again, our beloved Father, knowing our nature, removes any possible doubt and uncertainty.

“I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command” (v. 18).

Then, God goes one step further. Not only does God promise a prophet “like Moses,” but he ups the ante and sends us his only Son, Jesus Christ. Gosh, God really loves us!

Advent season invites us to step away from the frenzy of holiday parties, shopping, and life demands to consider how we can prepare our hearts to celebrate and revere Christ’s birth, God’s ultimate gift to us, fulfilling the promise of a prophet. How will you prepare your heart?

Prayer

Gracious and loving God, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your only Son to advocate for us.

Written by Toni Yang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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