Deuteronomy 18

Deuteronomy 18:1

MAde by fire] Which were partly burned for Gods glory, and partly reserved for maintenance of the Levites, Leviticus 7:32. 34. as in the right of the Lords inheritance, who hath reserved that portion for the service of himselfe and the sustenance of his servants, Numbers 18:20. Deuteronomy 10:9. Joshua 13:14. 33. Ezekiel 44:28. 1 Corinthians 9:13.

Deuteronomy 18:2

the Lord is their inheritance] They must looke to the Lord for their portion, and shall finde it in him by his right in all, and his favour to them, whose riches and beneficence will supply them with maintenance.

Deuteronomy 18:3

that offer] That bring a sacrifice, which is to be understood of peace-offerings.

the maw] Or, the breast. As Exodus 29:27. Leviticus 7:31. Or, the maw with the breast.

Deuteronomy 18:7

as his brethren] Though they attend the service of the Sanctuary by course, yet if any would willingly offer his service who was not bound unto it by his turne, he was to be admitted.

Deuteronomy 18:8

like portions] For their diet out of the revenues of the Tabernacle, while they attend at it, who at other times were maintained by the tythes: wherein some conceive they that did not performe such a service in the Sanctuary, had neither any sustenance thence, nor so much in tythes as their brethren who underwent the service in their turnes.

sale of his patrimonie] Which he was to keepe; for if hedid not spend the money, he might redeeme it at any time, Leviticus 25:32.

Deuteronomy 18:10

passe through the fire] Either as a superstitious purging, by passing betweene two fires, or by an idolatrous sacrificing them to the Idol Molech. See Annot. on Levit. 18. vers. 21.

divination] Taking upon them to foretell things to come, Micah 3:11. without any ground of reason, or Divine revelation.

observer of times] Superstitiously making difference of dayes or times, good or bad, as lucky or unlucky.

an inchanter] Is such an one as useth songs and verses, or other words or ceremonies to produce supernaturall effects.

Deuteronomy 18:11

Or a Charmer] A Charmer is the same in effect with the Inchanter.

a wizard] Is the same with the Diviner.

a Necromancer] One that seeketh to the dead: as 1 Samuel 28.

Deuteronomy 18:14

hath not suffered] Heb. It is the Lord thy God hath given thee: that is, Prophets and Instructors to teach thee, that thou maist not need to seeke to Diviners for instruction or direction.

Deuteronomy 18:18

a Prophet like] This is meant principally of Christ, Acts 3:22. betwixt whom and Moses though there are many remarkable conformities, as Numbers 12:3. Exodus 32:32. compared with Matthew 11:29. John 2:17. & Deuteronomy 5:5. Galatians 3:19. with 1 Timothy 2:5. & Exod. 1. with Matth. 2. yet withall God promiseth here a succession of Prophets before his coming, by whom his people were to be instructed from time to time, so that they should not be affrighted with Gods speaking to them as formerly they had been.

Deuteronomy 18:19

I will require it of him] That is, I will call him to an account, and bring him to punishment for it.

Deuteronomy 18:22

if the thing follow not] For if the Prophecie were of God, it must needs come to passe, for he cannot lie, nor be deceived; though it follow not to say, the thing is come to passe, therefore it is the Lord that speaketh: for they that use to foretell, may among many untruths light upon some truth: as if a blind man shoot many arrows at a marke, he may sometimes hit it, though it be rather by chance then any good cunning: and sometimes God may for triall, (Chap. 13. 3.) in judgement punishing the people by mis-guidance, suffer it to come to passe. See Annot. on Chap. 13. 2.

not be afraid of him] Though he foretell fearefull things, thou shalt not be afraid of him, since he is a false Prophet, and his predictions shall not take effect.