Deuteronomy 18
In this chapter, there are three laws: The law concerning the Levites portion, the law forbidding spiritism and the promise of a prophet like Moses.
The Lord God created a situation in which there was a class of people dependent on the giving of others to live. If the sons of Israel did what they ought, then this class had all that they needed, but if not, this class would suffer or turn from serving the Lord. The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, was to have no portion in Israel; however, they were to eat what was offered to the Lord. They were to be the Lord’s physical representatives in the nation of Israel. They were not the Lord, but were the Lord’s servants, and being the Lord’s servants, they ate from the Lord’s table.
The people in the land of Canaan, before the sons of Israel, practiced divination, witchcraft, sorcery and spiritism. Today, these are thought of as entertainment. Both children and adult television programs and movies are filled with these things. Not only are they filled with these things but are portrayed as good. Yet the Scripture teaches us that the these things are detestable to the Lord.
Deuteronomy is Moses’s last recorded sermon to the sons of Israel. He did not to go into the land of Canaan with the sons of Israel. However, he is giving them a promise that the Lord will raise up among them a prophet like him. There were prophets during the time of the judges and of the kings, but none were like Moses who used to speak face to face with the Lord, just as a man speaks to his friend. (Ex 33:11) During the history of Israel, there were many prophets and leaders, but none were like Moses. The people were waiting for this prophet, and for the Messiah, both of whom came in the person of Jesus Christ.
He was in the beginning with God and he was God. (Jn 1:1) It is often the case that the Lord’s promises are more than. Jesus was not only a prophet like Moses, who spoke to the Lord face to face, as a man speaks to his friend, Jesus is the word of the Lord become flesh. The Lord said through Moses, “It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.” (Duet 18:19) And John the Baptist said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn 3:36)
