Deuteronomy 18
-The portion of the Levites, who were the God ordained priests
in the nation of Israel, is covered here in chapter 18. Actually the Levitical
line would have no portion or inheritance. They were to eat the LORD’s
offerings by fire and have His portion. The LORD was their inheritance as He
had promised them. This meant that they had to “give up” their national rights
and be consecrated to devoted service in the place that God would choose, which
would one day be the Temple in Jerusalem. On the positive side, they would
receive the first fruits and best portions of their allotment since they were
selected to stand and serve in the Name of the LORD forever. They were to share
in their portions equally with the exception of what they received from the
sale of their fathers’ estates (Deuteronomy 18:1-8). Therefore, we see that the
Levites were dependent on the good will and obedience of the people of Israel
for their well-being as a command of God.
-Then, the interesting issue of spiritism and prophets
within the burgeoning people group is extrapolated. Moses, through the power of
the Holy Spirit commands that they never learn to imitate the detestable things
of the nations that that are going in to dispossess. These occultic practices
had their children being sacrificed by fire (research the pagan practices to
gods like Molech), were using divination, witchcraft, interpreting omens, and
using sorcerers, spell casters, mediums, spiritists, and those calling up the
spirits of the dead (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). God wanted His people to be “blameless”
before the LORD their God. They were NOT allowed to listen to these demonic
voices in their holy society. God was angry with the pagan cultures and was now
driving them out to cut out for Himself a separated people of truth, kindness,
and justice (Deuteronomy 18:13-14). The LORD then promised them that He would
raise up a prophet like Moses from amidst their countrymen for them to listen
to as having a word directly from the LORD. This was simply in accordance to
what they had begged for from God in Horeb (Mt. Sinai) on the day of the
assembly. The LORD’s Voice and His great fire had been too frightening for them
to handle, which the LORD thought to be commendable. Therefore, His method of
distribution for His edicts and corrections would come through human means,
namely the prophets from the nation of Israel. He would put His word in their
mouths to speak the unadulterated commands of the Living God. Those not
listening to His Voice through the prophets would be held accountable unto Him.
Further, those who presumptuously spoke in the Name of the LORD as false
prophets or in the name of other gods should face capital punishment
(Deuteronomy 18:15-20). The LORD anticipated the inevitable question that would
come up among His people, “How will we know the word which the LORD has not
spoken?” The answer was this, “When a prophet speaks in the Name of the LORD,
if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD
has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously; you shall not be afraid
of him (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).” Prophets therefore had to be 100% accurate. Any
deviation from this was a serious flaw for obvious reasons.
-*Application* Our current society in America is inundated
with paganistic rituals and teachings. Yesterday I went to make a hospital
visit and was surprised to meet the chaplain. As we introduced ourselves I came
to find out that she was a Buddhist practitioner who believed in and prayed to all
the gods equally. This is heresy in a Roman Catholic affiliated hospital. Why
are we not mortified? Will not God judge this nation like all the rest who go
against Him and His righteous ways? We have learned to imitate the detestable
things of false faith systems. If we do not turn around, we are doomed. I’m pretty
sure this is a direct word from the LORD.
Verse to Memorize:
Deuteronomy 18:13, 22
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