Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:15-20           

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

God makes a promise to Moses, and by extension to all God’s people that will have a stunning outcome. If … IF God’s people are listening. And by listening I don’t just mean that their physical ears will hear someone’s voice. What I mean by listening is that God’s people need trained ears. You would think after thousands of years of God’s Word being in the world that wouldn't be a problem. But oh, I assure you it is. The lost don’t want to hear the Word of God, but sometimes His people don’t either. Oh, they attend worship and may even crack a copy of the “good book” now and then. But they don’t listen. And tragedy is that God’s voice is sublime, especially when it comes from the lips of God’s dear Son. And that is who is being pointed to in our text of promise this week.

Moses hears from the Lord that One is coming. He will be sent from God and will be like Moses, chosen from the brethren of God’s chosen people. He will speak His Word. And Moses implies that it must be listened to because this Messenger will speak ONLY God’s Word. Though the Old Testament saints probably couldn’t conceive of it, the Messenger IS God’s Word. 

One of the ways God displays His goodness to His people is that He speaks. And His great desire is that we would become attuned to His Word to the degree that we will quickly discern when a voice comes claiming to be from Him that is not. In Moses’ day, when one was found out to be a false messenger, he was put to death. Today, God raises the bar a bit and “expects” His people to hear and listen. And listen well. Whose voice are we listening to these days? There is no shortage of voices wanting to lay claim to your heart and mine. But, whose voice are we hearing? Only one is worthwhile. It brings life. Listen well.