Deuteronomy 18

Deuteronomy 18:1

M. Priests, Levites, and Prophets (Chap. 18)18:1-8 Again God’s care for the priests and Levites is seen. Because they did not receive a tribal inheritance of land, they were to be supported by the people. Their part in the offerings was the shoulder, the two cheeks (jawbones), the stomach, and the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, and fleece. Verses 6-8 describe a Levite who sold his home and moved to the place where God had placed His name to serve Him. He was to share in the offerings with the other Levites, and this was in addition to whatever he received from the sale of his inheritance. (Levites could own property even though they did not inherit a tribal possession.) 18:9-14 The Israelites were forbidden to have any contact with anyone who claimed to communicate with the unseen world. Eight means of communication with the spirit world are given. They are called abominations by God. They include: one who practices witchcraft (a witch or a warlock), . . . a soothsayer (a seer; a false prophet), . . . one who interprets omens (a palm-reader; a fortune-teller; an astrologer), . . . a sorcerer (a witchdoctor), . . . one who conjures spells (a wizard), . . . a medium (spirit medium), . . . a spiritist (a se9ance leader), . . . one who calls up the dead (a necromancer). Some of these “professions” overlap. Tragically, this nearly 3,400 year-old prohibition is just as much needed in “enlightened” modern times as it was long ago. Henry G. Bosch writes: Satanism, demons, and the occult are dark, sinister realities, not tricks. One of the signs that we are nearing the close of this age is the widespread interest in witchcraft, astrology, and other forms of the occult. . . . Thousands consult their horoscope each day, attend se9ances, or seek to communicate with deceased loved ones. There’s also a great interest in Satanism and demons. The Bible repeatedly warns against such practices (Lev_19:31; Lev_20:27; 2Ch_33:6; Jer_10:2; Gal_5:19-20). How urgent and up-to-date are the warnings of Scripture! Let’s not play around with something that could become a kiss of death. To be blameless (v. 13) in regard to these forbidden “communications” means to listen to God’s voice alone. 18:15-19 In sharp contrast to the evils of the leaders of the occult, verse 15 presents a beautiful prophecy about Christ, the true Prophet of God (Act_3:22-23). Notice the description in verses 15, 18, and 19: (1) a Prophetthat is, one who speaks God’s word; (2) from your midsti.e., truly human; (3) from your brethren i.e., an Israelite; (4) like mei.e., like Moses in the sense of being raised up by God; (5) I . . . will put My words in His mouthfullness of inspiration; (6) He shall speak to them all that I command Himfullness of revelation; (7) all are responsible to listen to Him and obey Him. This section also teaches that this Prophet would serve as a Mediator between God and man. The people had been so terrified at Mount Sinai that they asked that God would not speak to them directly anymore and that they might not see the fire anymore lest they die. In response to that request, God promised Christ as the Mediator. That this passage held Messianic hope for the Jews can be seen clearly in the Gospels (Joh_6:14; Joh_7:40) 18:20-22 False prophets could be detected in various ways. We have previously learned that they were false if they sought to lead the people away from the worship of the true God (Deu_13:1-5). Here is another means of detection: If a prediction failed to come to pass, that prophet should be put to death, and no one need fear any curse he might pronounce.