Page 99 - Pentateuch

The NT refers to these prophets as
the “foundation” of his temple, the
collected people of God (Eph. 2:20).
As the foundation, their ministry is
finished. As God spoke through the
prophets, he has more recently
spoken by his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). The
ultimate end of the line of prophets
was God’s greatest prophet, Jesus
Christ. On the mount of
transfiguration, a voice came out of
heaven to speak to Peter, James, and
John. The voice of God identifies
Jesus as the greatest prophet: “This
is my Son, whom I love; with Him I
am well pleased. Listen to him (Matt.
17:5).” On the day of Pentecost,
Peter makes a similar reference and
the application: “Anyone who does
not listen to him will be completely Fig. 71: Ancient Foundation stones
cut off from among his people (Acts
3:23).” The people of Israel of that day expected just such a prophet would come and if Jesus might be the
one (John 6:14).

As with so many warnings in the Pentateuch, this one about listening to God’s prophet speaks of Jesus and
the great salvation that is in him. Blurring the definition of a prophet or blurring the ultimate message of
the prophets brings into jeopardy the gospel itself. It is just as dangerous today as in the days of Jesus or all
the way back to the day of Moses. We are not called to execute false prophets, but we are called to
confront them.

Along these lines, the NT warns about false prophets and false teachers. “But there were also false
prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you (2 Pet. 2:1). Many false prophets
will appear in the end times (Matt. 24:11). The core test remains the same: their teaching about Jesus and
salvation in him. Some “deny the sovereign Lord who bought them,” as Peter says in the same verse. 1 John
4:2 gives a similar test: “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” Even if someone can
counterfeit a miracle of God (2 Thess. 2:9), we are to turn from them. The antidote to all false teaching
remains the same in all ages — God’s word coupled with a clear understanding of God’s Savior.

Let’s Practice…

1. Moses fails to honor God as holy in bringing water from a rock by

2. Balaam was warned by an angel through a

3. Balaam prophecies about the Messiah as a and

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