I want to display some facts here and debunk Islamic claims that Mohammed is the one prophecied in this scripture.
Deuteronomy 18:18 KJV says ...
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him
1. Firstly Jesus himself pointed out HE was the prophet being spoken of in the Old Testament ...
****(Jesus said If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. (John 5:46, RSV)****
Read Acts 3:13-23, these also show that Jesus is the Prophet spoken of in the Old Testament.
================ Who Are The Brethren? ================
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren...
So who are the Brethren? Muslims will say its the Ishmaelites and therefore this was a prophecy of mohammed, this is completely false, and i will show you why ...
Now it is true that the Ishmaelites were A brother nation to the Israelites, but so were the Moabites, Ammonites, Emorites and many other nations ... so which one are you going to choose and which one does the Bible say it is? Its not logical to say it's the Ishmaelites because like i pointed out, the Israelites had many brother nations. So its completely false to say it was the Ishmaelites as this could apply to all the other nations ... who knows, the prophecied prophet could have well been buddha, barney or Winnie the pooh for all we know. The Bible clarifies itself, this scripture has to be read in CONTEXT to be understand ...
In the Law of Moses, the word Brethren normally refers to a brother Israelite. Now, when the word brother applies to Israels brother nations, the nation's name is given (See deuteronomony 3:4)
The context of Deuteronomy 18:18 does NOT refer to any of these other nations. Therefore, from the context, the word brethren just has the normal meaning of fellow Israelite. This means the prophet like Moses is to be an Israelite.
Just a few scriptures back in Deuteronomy 17:15 we see the context made crystal clear of the use of the word Brethren ...
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother
In Israel, the Israelites NEVER chose a king who was not a Brethren, meaning who was NOT a fellow Israelite, the king they chose was always an Israelite. There is no scriptural evidence to support that this was talking about any of Israels brother nations, otherwise the scripture would have mentioned so. Check Deuteronomy 17:15 and read again to see the context. The Arabs are NEVER called Brethren in the Old Testament as far as i know. Now why would God raise up a prophet from Israels enemies such as the Ishmaelites in this case? This doesn't make sense.
Mohammed was NOT an Israelite, he was definately not the one prophecied in this, this debate should end right here, but i will continue further to give people the Benefit of the doubt.
In John 1:45 Phillip proclaimed ...
We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph
Even Phillip knew Jesus was the Prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy, try to rewind time back and imagine what it would have been like. We'll discuss this in more detail later...
The next part of the scripture basically says that God will raise up from the Israelites (a Jew) a prophet like Moses ... So who is a prophet like Moses and what is Gods criteria for the word 'like'?
Muslims will often use everyday examples to compare Mohammed to be like moses such as the following ...
Rejected by his people and then accepted, Became a national leader, Miraculous birth, Encountered enemies in battle, Family - married with children etc.
Now these are NOT in Gods criteria, and they are clearly not Unique, there are very very interesting similarities between Jesus and Moses which i will show you ... and then you decide wether Moses was like Jesus, or wether a non-Jew like Mohammed was. Please read the following similarities each one by one, read them with careful thought, and decide wether the Prophet spoke of is Mohammed or Jesus ...
================== Moses And Jesus ==================
1. Moses offered to take the sins of Israel on himself in Exodus 32:30-32 ... Jesus was sacrificed for the sins of mankind
2. Moses was transfigured on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34:29) ... Jesus was transfigured in Matthew 17:1-6
3. Moses came out of Egypt at the Exodus, and Jesus went to Egypt as a baby and returned
4. Moses was brought up by his mother as a nurse in Pharaoh's household, and Jesus was brought up by Mary, but Muhammad was an orphan (!!!!!!!). Moses was saved as a baby in the rushes; Jesus was saved when God told Joseph to take him to Egypt
5. Moses was a Miracle worker ... Jesus was a miracle worker
6. Moses was a shephard ... Jesus also said he was "THE Good Shephard"
Now THESE are striking similarities, but oh no .. it doesn't stop here ... for the benefit of the doubt, read on, and be amazed at the similarities between Moses and Jesus ...
7. Lived in Egypt. Jesus lived in Egypt as an infant (Matt. 2:13-21)
8. 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)
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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)
12. 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)
13. 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
14. 40 Days Fasting (Exodus 34:28). Jesus fasted 40 days (Matt. 4)
15. The White Hand of Leprosy (Exodus 4:6-7). Jesus healed many different people of leprosy (Luke 17:11-19) (unlike Jesus, Mohammed never healed anybody did he?)
16. Moses 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)
17. Moses split the waters at the crossing at the Red Sea ... Jesus also showed Control of the weather and calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Did mohammed ever control weather? Im he didn't.
18. 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)
19. Moses Was faithful as a Servant in all his house (Hebrews 3:5). Jesus was faithful as a Son over His house (Hebrews 3:6). Thats interesting, These scriptures mention Jesus after talking about Moses in the previous scripture.
20. Brought water from a rock by a miracle (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).
Had enough yet? No? Well keep reading, because there are more striking and amazing UNIQUE similarites between Moses and Jesus ...
21. 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).
22. An angel watched over his body (Jude 1:9). Jesus had at least two angels watching over His body (John 20)
23. 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)
24. 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).
The Similarities are getting more and more unique aren't they? Can somebody match an equal number of such UNIQUE similarities between Moses and Mohammed? I doubt you can. And im going to make sure you cant, please read as im not Finished, and neither is the Word of God...
25. Did not have special clothing symbolic of his rank. Jesus also did not have special clothing showing His rank
26. Did not have biological sons to carry on his spiritual functions. Neither did Jesus
27. 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) Lets see what Mohammed did to Aisha shall we?
Mohammed himself deliberately struck ‘Aisha "on the chest which caused me pain". (Sahih Muslim 2:2127)
Some more for your reading pleasure?
28. 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) - Wow ... now thats unique
29. Was involved in the activities of the holy Tabernacle on earth (Exodus 25-40). Jesus is involved in the perfect Tabernacle in Heaven (Hebrews 8)
30. Moses Was humble. Jesus was gentle and humble (Matt. 11:28-30)
31. Moses was learned of all the Wisdom of Egypt, and Jesus was also a wise and well educated person ... Mohammed according to muslims, was illiterate (lol)
32. Moses' 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)
33. 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) - Wow ... again ... a very unique similarity wouldn't you agree guys?
34. Had sacrifices for the Covenant sealed with blood (Ex. 24:1-8). Jesus also sealed His new Covenant with blood (Hebrews 9:18-28).
35. Provided ransom by pouring out blood as a sacrifice (Ex. 12). Jesus similarly ( Matt. 20:28 & Hebrews 9:11-15)
36. Moses 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).
37. Finished the work which God commanded him (Ex. 40:33). Jesus completed His work (John 17:4 and & 19:30).
38. 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).
40. Fed multitudes of people by miracles (Ex. 16). Jesus fed multitudes (Matt. 14 and 15) - Did mohammed ever feed a MULTITUDE by a miracle? I dont think so he did.
41. 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).
42. 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)
43. Had a peculiar bed as an infant (Ex. 2:3). Jesus also had a peculiar bed (Luke 2:7) - If you remember from the Bible, Moses was went down a river in a casket/basket or whatever you would like to call it, and Jesus was also born in a manger ... Mohammed was born normally, he did NOT have a peculiar bed, well .. not that i know of anyway
44. 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)
"And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Deut. 18:21-22)
Mohammed NEVER spoke in the name of YHWH ... NEVER, he spoke under the Authority of a "new" pagan god and made a "new" religion. This prophet was said to give a sign or prophecy about the future in order to validate his Prophethood, and Jesus did this ... He performed miracles, AND he prophecied ... Mohammed never performed a miracle, see the following sources ...
"They say: Why not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" (Q 10:20; see also Q 6:109; Q 13:7; Q 17:59; Q 21:5,6).
Lets see more similarities to shut people up who claim this prophecy is about Mohammed...
46. Both forsook riches to identify with their people. (Heb.11:26, 2 Cor.8:9) ... (Instead Mohammed took riches in his conquering the people)
47. Both Moses and Jesus were born when Israel was under bondage (Moses in Egypt Ex.1:8,10, and Jesus during Israel's Roman bondage. Mt.2:1,Lk.2:1-2)
48. Both were miraculously delivered from death during their infancy from their enemies of Israel (Ex.2:3, Lk.2:7;Mt 2:14,15) and were preserved in childhood
49. Moses was hidden by faith (Ex.2:2-3 and Heb.11:23) Jesus’ life was preserved by his parents obeying the message in a dream. (Mt.2:13-14)
50. Both predicted Israel's history (Deut.28:15-28; Mt.23:34,24:1,2,8,34)
51. Both were considered a snare to Israel (Ex10:7; 1Pt.2:8=Isa.8:14)
52. Both had a face to face relationship with God unlike any other person. Moses (Ex.33:9-11, Deut.34:10; Numb.12:7-8) Jesus was with God=face to face from eternity (Jn.1:1,18) - Mohammed got his revelations from a so called angel, did he even test the spirit like the Bible commands us to? No! I feel deeply sorry for Mohammed and Joseph Smtih.
53. God spoke audibly and directly from heaven to both Moses and Jesus. Moses (Ex.20:22, 24:12-16) Jesus (Mt.3:17; Jn.12:28)
54. Both were sent by God to reveal His name, person and law to the people. To Moses God said to tell them I Am sent you. (Ex.3:13-14) Jesus said God sent him as his exact representative revealing his name (I Am) and nature to the people. (Jn.8:42; 17:6,11-12; Col.2:9; Heb.1:3) - Jesus made 7 'I am' statements as far as i know, the number 7 is a special number in the Bible also which represents Perfection.
55. Both re-appeared after they died, Moses ( Mt 17:3 with Jesus before his death) Jesus (Acts 1:3) - Mohammed died in 632 A.D ... and is dead ever since, and always will be.
===============================================
I hope thats enough to debunk this lubacris claim. Moses was clearly the prophet like Jesus, in LOTS of very UNIQUE ways. I have given 55 very unique similarities between Moses and Jesus, moses in a way was a shadow of Jesus, its just too incredible. What a mighty God we serve.
Anybody who replies to the topic without reading ALL 55 points i have made, will be ignored. Please do not make vain/rubbish replies, please read all the 55 similarities and re-read too if you like, its incredible, Moses was most definately like Jesus, in VERY unique ways.
No vain replies please, if anyway replies without reading these 55 points, they will be ignored.
God bless,
Scorpion