The Greater Prophet, the Curse Removed, and
the Promise of Redemption
Deuteronomy records Moses’s final sermons to Israel as they stand on the edge of the Promised Land. Looking back over their history, Moses repeatedly reminds them of God’s faithfulness despite their sin and many failures and calls them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength (ch. 6:4-5). This book serves as both the conclusion of the Pentateuch (refers to first five books of the Bible, literally means “five scrolls”) and the bridge to the books that follow, urging the new generation not to repeat the unbelief of their forefathers. Yet Deuteronomy also recognizes a deeper issue: God’s people need more than laws written on stone — they need new hearts, transformed by God’s grace.
This longing finds its fulfillment in Jesus. Moses promises that God will raise up a Prophet, one whom the people must hear and obey (ch. 18:15-19). The NT identifies Jesus as that greater Prophet (Acts 3:22-23). Deuteronomy also points forward to the cross when it declares that a man hung on a tree is under God’s curse (ch. 21:22-23), a passage the apostle Paul applies directly to Jesus, who became a curse for us so that we might be redeemed (Galatians 3:13). Finally, Deuteronomy anticipates a day when God will circumcise the hearts of His people (ch. 30:6), a promise fulfilled through the new covenant established by Jesus and applied by His Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:24-28).
While only selected chapters are included, these readings have been carefully chosen to highlight the greater Prophet, the curse removed, and the promise of redemption. You’ll see God’s call to wholehearted love and obedience (ch. 6-11), the promise of the coming Prophet (ch. 18:15-22), the shadow of the curse that Jesus would bear (ch. 21:22-23), and the hope of redeption through a heart transformed by Jesus (ch. 30). The book concludes with Moses’s death (ch. 34), reminding us that even Israel’s greatest leader could not ultimately save God’s people himself. Deuteronomy leaves us looking for One greater than Moses — and in Jesus, the long-awaited Prophet, Redeemer, and Savior, we’ve found Him.
Let’s dive in together and see Jesus in Numbers!
- June 7 — ch. 6
God commands His people to love Him with all their heart, soul, and might, revealing their need for a transformed heart. - June 8 — ch. 7
God sets His love on His people and chooses them, not because of them but out of His steadfast covenantal love, best demonstrated in Christ. - June 9 — ch. 8
God humbles and provides for His people, revealing their need for the heart change He must provide. - June 10 — ch. 10
God calls His people to circumcise their hearts, revealing the need for the curse of sin to be removed. - June 11 — ch. 11
God sets before His people both blessing and curse, revealing the need for the curse to be removed. - June 12 — ch. 18:15-22, 21:22-23
God promises a greater Prophet and reveals the curse, pointing to Jesus who is the Word of God and bears the curse for our sin. - June 13 — ch. 30
God promises to restore His people and change their hearts so that they may truly love and obey Him. - June 14 — ch. 34
God buries Moses, and His people are left waiting for a prophet like Him. There’s good news: Jesus is greater than Moses!
Continue in the See JESUS in the Old Testament readings as we begin Part II — Seeing Jesus in Israel’s History!
Just Keith Harris 