Deuteronomy 18:1-8
The priests referred to are the Levitical priests, presumably of the line of Aaron as stated in the past. However, there is some thought that the law was being modified to include all Levites. The priests were to teach the people the law, how to be ritual clean, and how to know the difference between the holy and profane. In addition, they kept the tradition, feasts, and heritage of their faith.
The Levites had no inheritance in the land, the Lord was their inheritance. The Lord provided for them through the offerings of the people. The Lord gifted His portion to the Levites. This was previously the breast and right thigh. Now, it includes the shoulder, cheeks (brisket), and stomach (4th stomach, a delicacy at the time) of the animals brought as sacrifices. The first fruits of grain, wine, oil, and fleece were given to the priests.
During the settlement of the land, Levites served as priests officiating at local shrines and altars. We know there were also itinerant Levites, the example of which we see in Judges (17:7-13). Verses 6-8 seem to indicate that these priests who had been separated from the Tabernacle service could return and receive equal provision, even if they had other means of support.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Seeking divine knowledge through illegitimate sources was forbidden by the Lord. These practices were tied to the worship of other gods. These things are detestable to the Lord and not to be found among them like it was found throughout the Canaanite cultures.
Yahweh presents Himself as the only God, all other gods are demonic spiritual beings that would attempt to be god-like to the people. The pagan cultures didn’t believe in a single god, but many with differing powers and limited authority. They attempted to influence these gods, gain blessings from them, or obtain wisdom or prophecy from them. There were limited means of divination allowed, the primary was the use of the Urim and Thummim.
There was to be none among the Israelites that would make their children pass through the fire. Because this is found in a list of means of divination, some see this as some ritual act of divination and not necessarily child sacrifice. However, we know that this same language was used to describe the worship of Molech, burning their children on an altar to appease, find favor, or move him on their behalf.
Witchcraft is the word “qosem qesamim” meaning divination for divine decision. It seeks to determine the will of the gods by examining and interpreting omens; reading tea leaves; reading the entrails; hydromancy, etc. The sorcerer using witchcraft consulted the gods for a price, to give you the means to harm or destroy an enemy.
Soothsaying is attempting to tell or control the future through the power of evil spirits.
Interpreting omens is the word “menachech” that word may be derived from the “nachesh,” the serpent in the garden. Some see this as a snake related divination. Although, this could just as easily be seen as tapping into the devil’s knowledge. Others see it as deriving from the word “lachash” (whisper), meaning uttering incantations.
One of the priestly classes mentioned in Mesopotamian texts is the baru-diviners. It was their task to perform extispicy (generally on lambs), examining the liver and interpreting this omen for the person who has asked for a reading of the future. The baru might be consulted by a king who wished to go to war (compare 1 Kings 22:6), a merchant about to send out a caravan or a person who had become ill. Government officials often included the report of omens in their letters (Mari texts). However, since omens were not always clear, several groups of diviners might be used before action was taken. An entire body of omen texts (with descriptions of past events and predictions) were archived in temples and palaces for consultation by staff diviners. Even clay models of livers were used in schooling apprentices in the trade.
Matthews, V. H., Chavalas, M. W., & Walton, J. H. (2000).
The IVP Bible background commentary:
Old Testament (electronic ed., Dt 18:10
A sorcerer was someone inducing magical effects by drugs or some sort of portion. They concocted potions from plants and other things. The sorcerer would have been part of the Canaanite culture. It was forbidden for an Israelite to consult these folks. It was like seeing Yahweh’s provision, knowledge, and care as insufficient.
The practitioners of spiritism and sorcery are condemned because of their association with Canaanite religion and because their “art” attempted to circumvent Yahweh by seeking knowledge and power from spirits. They represented a form of popular religion that was closer to the folk practices of the common people and served as a form of “shadow religion” for many. Sometimes, because of its association with divination, their rituals and methods stood in direct opposition to official religion or as an alternative to be used in times of desperation (see Saul’s use of the outlawed witch of Endor in 1 Sam 28). Sorcery and potions used in the practice of magic were also banned in the Code of Hammurabi and the Middle Assyrian laws, suggesting that the prohibition and fear of these practices were not unique to Israel.
Matthews, V. H., Chavalas, M. W., & Walton, J. H. (2000).
The IVP Bible background commentary:
Old Testament (electronic ed., Dt 18:11). InterVarsity Press.
One who conjures spells is someone casting spells. It’s linked to the idea of joining or weaving, possibly describing the practice of tying magical knots or threads around people or objects to bind them.
A medium means “one who asks spirits” and speaks of communication with the spirits of dead humans. or non-human spirits.
A spiritist appears to be a medium who communicates with non-human spirits. They seek intimate acquaintance with the demonic.
Because these things are seen as an abomination by the Lord, He would not allow them within His people and would drive them from His midst. God’s people were to be blameless, endeavoring to live life on God’s terms and in obedience to Him.
All the other nations may do these things, but God’s people were forbidden.
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
There was no need for sorcery, soothsayers, omens, spells, or conjuring the dead. The Lord would raise up a prophet like Moses from their midst. Like Moses, this prophet would be a divine mediator, a spokesman for God. He would work outside the religious system, outside the priesthood and institutions. This prophet would serve to remind the people of who God is, what He wants, and their place before Him. He would remind them of their obligation to covenant faith and relationship with Yahweh.
While there were prophets among the people throughout their history, the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy can be none other than Jesus. See John 1:21,25,45; Acts 3:22; 7:37.
It’s fascinating that the need for a prophet is that the people couldn’t take hearing the voice of God or the sight of His presence. That alone should tell mankind something. They wanted a prophet to tell them what God required. Yet, they didn’t do it.
Has the church not done the same today? Do we just want someone to tell us nice things about Jesus? In general, man doesn’t long to hear from God but just desires to know the bare minimum to stay out of trouble.
So much faith appears to be built on remembering what God has already accomplished. We can see that He is always true, always right, and will accomplish His word without fail. Looking back and remembering the mountain of God would help ground these people. We look back to the cross and remember.
Was Jesus a prophet like Moses?
- He was spared death as a baby.
- He renounced the royal court.
- He had compassion for His people.
- He made intercession for his people.
- He spoke with God face to face.
- He was the mediator of a covenant.
Moses represented the law, while Jesus brought the grace that saves. Jesus wasn’t like Moses, but Moses was like Jesus, foreshadowing the Messiah.
The Prophet would speak the words of God. Anyone not listening to God’s spokesman is not listening to God.
John 14:9-11; John 15:23-24
Among the true prophets, and instead of the ultimate prophet, there were would be false prophets, those who claim to speak for God. Once identified as a false prophet, these people were sentenced to death. The stakes were high. The fallout from a false prophet being heard by the people was enormous. How could the people know? If a thing spoken did not come to pass. The people were not to fear this person, respect them, or give heed to their words. In those days, they were to eliminate them.
In the church age, John would call these anti-Christs. Their message is false, and it is an “instead of Jesus” attitude and word.
- Salvation without sin.
- Grace without repentance
- Discipleship without suffering
- Receiving without giving
- Being loved but never loving
- Reaping without sowing
- Prayer without relationship
- Love of the world more than love of God
- Dual citizenship (heaven and earth)
There is no doubt much more. In fact, the anti-Christ message is designed to feed the flesh and tickle the ear, giving just enough religion to keep a person from the real thing.
©2007, 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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