Prophecy: Connecting Muhammad to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18 and the Miracles of the Quran

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.

Deuteronomy 18:18 KJVS

Some believe Muhammad is the prophet similar to Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, when considering the connection of the miracle of the Quran in Surah 10, verse 92, with the biblical event of Moses parting the Red Sea. How is this argument explained?

This is an interesting question that relates to the interpretation of the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, which says:

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

Some Muslims believe that this prophecy refers to Muhammad, who was a descendant of Ishmael, the brother of Isaac, the ancestor of the Israelites. They also believe that Muhammad spoke God's words, not his own, similar to Moses. One of his miracles is the preservation of the Quran, which is considered to be the word of God, unchanged and uncorrupted.

Some Muslims see a connection between the miracle of the Quran and the biblical event of Moses parting the Red Sea. They cite Surah 10, verse 92, of the Quran concerning Pharaoh, which says:

“Today We will preserve your body, so that you become a sign for those after you. But most people are heedless of Our signs.“

This verse is addressed to Pharaoh, who was drowned in the sea after pursuing Moses and his followers.

Some Muslims interpret this verse as meaning that God preserved the body of Pharaoh in the form of a mummy as a sign for future generations. They believe that this sign serves as evidence of the Quran's authenticity and its miraculous nature.

They claim that the body of Pharaoh was discovered in modern times, and that it matches the description of the Quran.

Those who argue that Muhammad fulfills Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, contend that, just as Moses performed miracles by parting the Red Sea, Muhammad's miracle was revealed through the Quran regarding Allah preserving Pharaoh's body for future generations as a sign for the future.


It is believed that both events demonstrate divine intervention and serve as signs for the recognition of Moses and Muhammad as prophets, and that Muhammad is the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy.

Some identify the Bitter Lakes, pictured here, with the Red (or Reed) Sea which the Israelites crossed during the exodus out of Egypt.

MESSIAH

From the earliest traditions of Jewish and Christian exegesis onward, students of the Pentateuch have found references to the Messiah in the first five books of the Old Testament. The passages that feature most prominently in this category are those concerning the conflict between the woman and the serpent (Gen 3:15), the scepter that shall not depart from Judah (Gen 49:8-12), the star and scepter coming from Jacob/Israel (Num 24:17-19) and the prophet like Moses whom the Lord will raise up (Deut 18:18-19).

Since the middle of the eighteenth century scholars have become increasingly cautious about the messianic nature of these passages. This has led to a sometimes sharp divide. At one end of the spectrum one finds scholars who maintain that there are no messianic prophecies whatsoever to be found in the Old Testament in general, let alone in the Pentateuch. At the other end of the spectrum are scholars who find numerous messianic prophecies throughout the Old Testament, including the Pentateuch.

MESSIANIC HOPES

The extravagant visions of the apocalypses were only one among the many hopes currently cherished by the Jews. Many messianic figures from the Old Testament had taken firm root in popular expectation: the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19); the returning Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6); but above all the Son of David, a great king and warrior, whose mission it would be to bring victory, peace, and glory to Israel.

Some saw a place for the Gentiles in this hope, others were exclusively nationalistic. Some thought of spiritual restoration, most of victory over the Romans. To utter the word 'Messiah’ (Greek, 'Christ') would inevitably stir up hopes of political independence, so it is no wonder that Jesus was cautious in letting others call him 'Christ'. He came to a people who, if they were not agreed quite what they were hoping for, were united in eagerly 'looking for the consolation of Israel' (Luke 2:25). But none expected it to come by way of a cross.

How did Moses miraculously part the Red Sea?

According to the biblical account in the Book of Exodus, Moses parted the Red Sea through divine intervention. The story is a key event in the narrative of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Here is a summary of how the event is described:

1. Context: The Israelites, under Moses' leadership, were fleeing from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, who decided to pursue them after initially letting them go.

2. At the Red Sea: The Israelites found themselves trapped between the approaching Egyptian army and the Red Sea. They were terrified and cried out to Moses for help.

3. Divine Command: God instructed Moses to lift his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea to divide the waters so that the Israelites could walk through on dry ground.

4. The Miracle: When Moses followed God's command, the waters of the Red Sea parted, creating a path of dry land through the sea. The waters stood "like a wall" on either side.

5. Crossing: The Israelites crossed the sea safely on dry ground.

6. Egyptians' Fate: When the Egyptian army attempted to follow them, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. The waters returned to their place, drowning the pursuing Egyptians.

This story is considered one of the most significant miracles in the Old Testament and is a central narrative in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.