Deuteronomy 18
Levites receive no inheritanceverses 1-2
The priests the Levites and all the tribe of Levi
shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel
They shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire
and HIS inheritance
Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren
the LORD is their inheritance – as HE has said to them
List of food items for Levitesverses 3-5
And this shall be the priest’s due from the people
from them that offer a sacrifice – whether it be ox or sheep
And they shall give to the priest the shoulder – and the two cheeks
and the maw
The firstfruit also of your corn – wine – oil
and the first of the fleece of your sheep – shall you give him
FOR the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes
to stand to minister in the name of the LORD
him and his sons for ever
Levites can move to main templeverses 6-8
And IF a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel
where he sojourned – and come with all the desire of his mind
to the place which the LORD shall choose
THEN he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God
as all his brethren the Levites do
which stand there before the LORD
They shall have like portions to eat
besides that which comes of the sale of his patrimony
Warning against abominable thingsverses 9-14
When you are come into the land which the LORD your God give you
you shall not LEARN to do after the abominations of those nations
There shall not be found among you any one that
makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire
or that uses divination – observer of times – enchanter
witch – charmer – consulter with familiar spirits
wizard – necromancer
FOR all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD
and because of these abominations the LORD your God
does drive them out from before you
You shall be PERFECT with the LORD your God
for these nations – which you shall possess
hearkened unto observers of times
and to diviners
BUT as for you – the LORD your God has not suffered
you so to do
True prophet speaks for the LORDverses 15-19
The LORD your God will raise up to you a PROPHET
from the midst of you – of your brethren – like to me
to HIM you shall hearken
According to all that you desires of the LORD your God in Horeb
in the day of the assembly
saying
Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God
neither let me see this great fire any more that I die not
And the LORD
said to me
They have well spoken that which they have spoken
I will raise them up a PROPHET from among their brethren
like to you – and will put MY words in his mouth
And HE shall speak to them all that I shall command him
and it shall come to pass – that whosoever will not hearken
to MY words which HE shall speak in MY name
I will require it of him
False prophet testedverses 20-22
BUT the prophet – which shall presume to speak a word in MY name
which I have not commanded him to speak
or that shall speak in the name of other gods
even that prophet shall die
AND if you say in your heart
How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?
WHEN a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD
IF the thing follow not – nor come to pass
that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken
BUT the prophet has spoken it presumptuously
YOU shall not be afraid of him
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons forever)
DEVOTION: Chosen of God means that HE has given those who fall into that category the privilege of living in heaven for eternity. All believers were chosen before the foundation of the world. The LORD knows the past, present and future. HE is omniscient.
In the Old Testament the LORD chose one tribe to serve HIM in the capacity of minister. The Levites were the helpers of the children of Aaron who were chosen to be the Priests. The whole tribe is ministers with different responsibilities. These responsibilities have been spelled out in the first five books of the Bible.
In the New Testament every believer is a minister too. Each of us has gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to serve the LORD in the local church and society. We are to use our gift to bring glory to God.
We are even going to be ministers in the Millennial period of the future. It is based on how we served the LORD while we lived in this time period. Our service is every important to the growth of the kingdom of God now.
So no matter our age we should be serving the LORD in whatever capacity HE allows for us now. We should be a witness in our schools and in our neighborhoods for the LORD.
CHALLENGE: We should be the ones who help those in need on a regular basis.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 There shall not be found among you anyone that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. (7080 “divination” [qacam] means to predict, to consult an oracle/spirit of the dead, or to seek to determine the future through signs, omens, or supernatural powers)
DEVOTION: We need to read through this list and observe that most of the things on the list are still practiced today by many people around the world. These are practices that are associated with worship of false gods.
We don’t see many nations who practice the burning of their children but we find some nations that give their children to the alligators in rivers in their land. We find that many individual here in this country have their babies aborted so that they don’t have to be burdened with raising children they don’t want. Many women suffer after having abortions and never seem to be able to forgive themselves. No sin is unpardonable except rejecting Jesus Christ.
The other practices found in these verses are still going on today and many Christians fall into the trap of thinking that there is no harm in practices these things that are condemned here.
However, the LORD has not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Sin is sin no matter what the time period. If someone who claims to be a follower of Christ mixes up his or her life with these things that are associated with false gods they are really worshiping our enemy Satan.
CHALLENGE: We need to watch what we practice in our time after we have made Christ our Savior and Lord.
: 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (4191 “necromancer” [muwth] means people who are no longer living, with focus on their immaterial substance, sacrifices to the dead, or someone who tries to contact the dead)
DEVOTION: There are many people who seek wisdom from other sources rather than God. They are individuals who have nothing to do with the one true God but want to consult their dead relatives or friends for advice in the present.
This practice is done even today with people who will go to a place here in Western New York called Lillydale. They will drive there to find out if they can consult with someone who is dead. They think that there are people who can truly consult their dead relatives for advice instead of seeking the LORD.
There are many people who would rather do anything rather than turn their life over to the LORD and allow HIM to lead them properly through life. There are people who are making a profit off of these people but they don’t seem to care.
One day there will be a judgment and each of them will stand before the LORD and realize that they were not going to the right source for help.
We need to realize that the LORD warns against any of these types of sources for information. All these sources are used of the devil to confuse and misdirect people away from the LORD toward an eternity without HIM.
When we need help understanding what we are to do in the future we need to seek our guidance from the LORD alone. HE will direct us to the right source of information. HIS Word, the Bible, should always be our primary source of information. Our prayer life should be one in which we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the right direction.
The LORD wants to lead us properly each day. Our willingness to follow HIM will be blessed. Following other source can be a real problem.
CHALLENGE: Consult the LORD through the Word of God and prayer. There are also individuals who can give us good advice. Remember all must be done with prayer.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 13 You shall be PERFECT with the LORD your God. (8549 “perfect” [tamiym] means entire, integrity, truth, without blemish, complete, full, sincerely, sound, or without spot)
DEVOTION: Worship is a prime subject for Moses in dealing with the children of Israel. He wants the Levites to be provided for by the rest of the tribes. He gives instructions regarding the movement of the Levites.
Next, he covers false worship. He gives a long list of practices that the LORD thinks are abominations. These include causing children to be sacrificed to false gods by means of fire. He doesn’t allow any divination. He doesn’t allow consulting the stars regarding the future. He doesn’t allow enchanters or witches or charmers of snakes or individuals who claim to raise individuals from the dead to speak to their loved ones. He tells the children of Israel that anyone practicing these things should be put to death.
This is the reason the people of the Promised Land were to be killed because of their false gods. If they left them alive, they would corrupt the children of Israel. They would cause the children of Israel to do things that the LORD considers abomination.
What does the LORD expect of HIS children? HE expects that they were to be blameless in regard to worshiping these false gods or practicing any of the things listed above.
After a long list of individuals who seem to have power that only God can give. These individuals were false witnesses to the power of the LORD. The LORD made a distinction between false and true worship of HIMSELF.
Many people seem like they have power from the LORD but their power source is another. The devil is able to counterfeit some of the work of the LORD. The magicians of Egypt were able to fake the people out with some of their tricks. In the end they were not able to do what the LORD was able to do.
The LORD is warning that there will always be false prophets. The children of Israel were able to tell the difference because a true prophet they will be one hundred percent right. The false prophets will not.
In this context, the people were to drive out all false worshippers. The people were to only worship the LORD in the right way. The Levites were the leaders of the people’s worship so their families had to live right. If a member of a Levites family served a false god or did something that was wrong – they were to be removed. Not only removed but they were to put to death the false prophets.
The word in this verse does not mean that followers of God can be sinless but they are not to fall into the trap of worshiping false gods. They are to be complete followers of the LORD only.
Are we only giving the word of the LORD from our pulpits? Are Christians looking to other sources of information besides the LORD? Do Christians read their daily horoscope in the paper and let it guide their day? Do Christians go to speak to those who are dead? Those who call themselves Christians are doing many false practices. Let’s not follow their example.
Read the list of those things that the LORD calls abominable and warn family and friends not to practice these things. Too often they think they are harmless but in reality, God wants them to know that they can lead them away from true worship of HIM.
CHALLENGE: If we warn people we care about and they don’t listen it is on their shoulders. If we allow them or encourage them to practice these things, we will be guilty.
: 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken to MY words which HE shall speak in MY name, I will require it of him. (1875 “require” [darash] means demand, investigate, to seek with care, examine, inquire about, care about, or petition)
DEVOTION: There are many prophets in Israel who followed Moses but none was like Jesus Christ. HE was the ultimate prophet who presented the message of salvation toHIS world. HIS message was plain. Everyone who became a follower of HIM would Inherit eternal life.
Not listening to the message of the prophets throughout the Old Testament brought judgment to the nation of Israel. Prophets presented the message of God to the people and they had a choice to either listen or face judgment. Most of the time they didn’t listen and they faced judgment. There were occasions when a revival would happen and the people would be blessed of the LORD.
Those who don’t listen to the message of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire. The Father is stating that HE will examine everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ to see if their commitment is genuine.
Consequences to those who refuse to become followers of Christ is real. Many hear the message a number of times and still will not commit their life genuinely to the LORD.
The sad fact is that many people think they are going to heaven because they said a prayer when they were young and yet their lifestyle is not what the LORD expects of those who are HIS followers
There has to be some consistency between a commitment to Christ and a lifestyle. We are not the final judge but the LORD is and HE will open the book of life to see who is written there. Of course, HE already knows but HE is going to show each individual that their name is not there because of their not having a genuine relationship with HIM.
Remember that we might be in a time period when we might not be obeying as we should, but this time period doesn’t have to last a lifetime. Obedience to HIS message is what makes the difference. Remember the Bible IS HIS WORDS!!!
CHALLENGE: Christ has come with a message and we need to engage ourselves in following HIS commands regularly.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Priestsverse 1
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 12-17, 21, 22
God (Elohim)verses 5, 7, 9,12-16
LORD thy Godverses 5, 9, 12-16
Name of the LORDverses 5, 7
LORD his Godverse 7
Voice of the LORD my Godverse 16
No more fireverse 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Prophet verses 15-19
Midst of Israel
Of the brethren
Like LORD
Israel to hearken
Put words God’s words in HIS mouth
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Nationsverses 9, 14
Abominations of nationsverse 9
Horebverse 16
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
List of abominations of nationsverses 9-12, 14
Make son or daughter pass through
the fire
Divinations
Observer of times
Enchanter
Witch
Charmer
Consulter with familiar spirits
Wizard
Necromancer
Abomination to the LORD
Not hearken to voice of prophetverse 19
False prophetverses 20-22
Presume to speak a word in God’s name
Not commanded by God
Name of other gods
Prophet shall die
Word not come to pass
Spoken presumptuously
Don’t be afraid of
Other godsverse 20
Speak presumptuouslyverses 20, 22
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Chosenverse 5
Ministerverses 5, 7
Not learn to follow false gods or practices verse 9
Perfect [blameless]verse 13
Difference between false and true prophet verse 21
Not afraid of false prophetsverse 22
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Levitesverses 1-8
no inheritance
eat the offerings of the LORD
inheritance of offering
brethren
firstfruits of all crops
payment of priests
portions of food
chosen
stand to minister
sale of his patrimony
Israelverses 1, 6
Chosen placeverse 6
Desires of the LORDverse 16
Day of the assemblyverse 16
Warning against false prophetsverse 20-22
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Dieverses 16, 20
I will require it of him
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QUOTES regarding passage
18:21–22 It is obvious that there would have been occasions when it would have been difficult to judge the falsity or authenticity of a given prophet. As far as those who prophesied in the names of other gods were concerned, there would be no question (v. 20b; cf. 13:1–18). However, what would be the criteria when a man or woman issued a word in the name of the Lord? The answer in the text is very much to the point: the fulfillment of the prophesied message. Anything short of that would brand the prophet as false and unreliable. He had not spoken from God and therefore need not be feared as an envoy of the Lord (v. 22).
Such a litmus test must, of course, be somewhat nuanced. It suggests prediction, first of all, and not a word of a general moral or theological nature. Second, the time frame would have to be such that the predicted word would come to pass in the prophet’s own lifetime if his authenticity were to be judged by his contemporaries. A false prophet could speak of a day in the distant future long after his own decease and thereby evade detection as false on that basis alone. It would seem likely that one who spoke only of remote times and never of the near future would be suspect in any case. The true prophet, then, would have to validate his calling by inerrantly speaking of events in both the near and distant future. Only at the end of history could he be fully vindicated, but unfailing fulfillment of his predictive word where testable would certainly give him the benefit of the doubt. (Merrill, E. H. (1994). Deuteronomy (Vol. 4, pp. 273–274). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
18:20–22. Since the people were to obey God’s prophet without question (v. 19), to prophesy falsely was in effect to usurp the place of God. For this the false prophet was to be put to death.
Two tests could be used to determine whether a prophet was speaking God’s words. First, the prophet’s message had to be in accordance with God and His Word. If he spoke in the name of (on behalf of) other gods then he contradicted the objectively revealed Word of God and was therefore a false prophet (cf. 13:1–5). Second, his prophecy must come true. If neither of these conditions was met, then no matter how powerful the would-be prophet seemed to be, the people were not to be afraid of him or of any reprisals he might predict against them. (Deere, J. S. (1985). Deuteronomy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 297). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Human curiosity (vv. 29–32). The inhabitants of Canaan had grossly defiled their land by their personal conduct and their abominable religious practices, which included sacrificing their children to the false gods, usually Molech “the abomination of the Ammonites” (v. 31; 1 Kings 11:5, 33). This despicable practice was forbidden to the people of Israel (Deut. 18:10; Lev. 18:20; 20:2–5), but in later years, both kings and commoners in Israel abandoned God’s law and sacrificed their children (2 Kings 17:16–17). Godly King Josiah defiled the place in the Valley of Hinnom where this detestable ceremony had been practiced in Judah (23:10), but King Manasseh brought it back (2 Chron. 33:6).
The British essayist Samuel Johnson called curiosity “one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect,” and certainly our children and grandchildren learn because they’re curious about life and the world they live in. Someone defined a child as “an island of curiosity surrounded by a sea of question marks.” However, there are some areas of human knowledge that are dangerous to investigate, for God wants His people to be “wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (Rom. 16:19, nasb). We don’t have to experience sin to learn how deadly it is. Inquisitive Israelites who investigated the despicable religious practices of the Canaanites were in danger of tempting themselves and giving Satan opportunity to move in.
As we mature in the faith and become grounded in the Word, we can carefully study the philosophies and ideas that are held by various religious groups, but only so that we might better share the Gospel with them. Missionaries must know the religious mind-set of the peoples to whom God sends them so they can communicate effectively with them. This is also true when we study the so-called “classics” that are often filled with moral filth and attacks against the Christian faith. “Beware of the atmosphere of the classics,” wrote Robert Murray M’Cheyne to a friend. “True, we ought to know them; but only as chemists handle poisons—to discover their qualities, not to infect their blood with them.” With God’s help, it’s possible for Christian students to practice contact without contamination, but they had better “watch and pray” lest they are tempted and fall into sin. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be equipped (pp. 86–87). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
18:20–22 he speaks in the name of other gods. In contrast to the true prophet, Moses predicted there would be false prophets who would come to Israel, speaking not in the name of the Lord, but in the name of false gods. How could the people tell if a prophet was authentically speaking for God? Moses said, “if the thing does not come about,” it was not from God. The characteristic of false prophets is the failure of their predictions to always come true. Sometimes false prophets speak and it happens as they said, but they are representing false gods and trying to turn people from the true God—they must be rejected and executed (13:1–5). Other times, false prophets are more subtle and identify with the true God but speak lies. If ever a prophecy of such a prophet fails, he is shown to be false. Cf. Jer 28:15–17; 29:30–32. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Dt 18:20–22). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 22. When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, &c.] Says he comes from God, is sent by him, and has a commission from him to say so: if the thing follow not, nor come to pass; as the prophecy of Hananiah, Jer. 28:3. that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken; or otherwise it would have come to pass, unless when a condition is either expressed or implied, as the repentance or disobedience of a people; see Jer. 18:7–10. but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; in a bold and daring manner, with great impiety and impudence, out of his own head and heart, being a mere device and imagination of his own, which, not having the fear of God, he delivered as coming from the Lord: thou shalt not be afraid of him; not only to reprove him for his wickedness, but also to punish him for it; shewing no regard to the high character he assumes, nor to the great pretensions he makes to sanctity, knowledge, and familiarity with God. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 76). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
WHAT MAKES US CHRISTIAN?
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1 John 5:1
The New Testament at once shows us the total inadequacy of the common, current version of what constitutes a Christian. The New Testament terms are regeneration, a new creation, being born again. What makes men and women Christians is something that is done to them by God, not something they do themselves: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” And then, “Every one that loveth him that begat….” God, according to John, is the one who begets us; it is God’s action, not ours.
Now we need to take time in emphasizing the obvious contrast in each of these subdivisions. How ready we are to think of being a Christian as the result of something we do! I live a good life—therefore I am a Christian; I go to a place of worship—therefore I am a Christian; I do not do certain things—therefore I am a Christian; I believe—therefore I am a Christian. The whole emphasis is upon myself, upon what I do. Whereas here, at the very beginning of the New Testament definition of a Christian, the entire emphasis is not upon man and his activity, but upon God. He who begat, He who produced, He who generates, He who gives life and being. Thus, we see we cannot be a Christian at all unless God has done something to us.
But I go beyond that and say that what makes us a Christian is something that makes us like God. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” That “of” is an important word; it means “out of God”; this is one who has received something of God Himself.
A Thought to Ponder: We cannot be a Christian at all unless God has done something to us. (From Life in God pp. 12-13, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Faithful Sayings
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
The adjective “faithful” is usually applied either to God or to those godly men and women who remain true to their words and convictions. However, there are eight New Testament references to words (or “sayings”) that are faithful.
Six of the references to sayings that are faithful are found in Paul’s pastoral epistles as he gave counsel to young pastors Timothy and Titus, the first being our text for the day. Here are Paul’s faithful sayings: (1) “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”; (2) “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1); (3) “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (1 Timothy 4:8); (4) “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:11-12); (5) “They which have believed in God [should] be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8). The sixth reference is a command that any “bishop” must continue “holding fast the faithful word [same as ‘saying’] as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).
The final two references are in the Bible’s last two chapters, stressing that the words of Revelation are indeed true and believable. After stating His glorious promises for the future life, Christ told John: “Write: for these words [i.e., ‘sayings’] are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5). Then, after the magnificent description of the Holy City, the angel said: “These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6).
All the Bible’s sayings are true, of course, but these that are specifically called “faithful” surely warrant our special attention. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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