Deuteronomy 18 - Warning against Divination | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Deuteronomy 18 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Deuteronomy 18 we cover the paying of priests, seeking council from false gods, and the Prophet. First praying priests. Levites and priests ended up living all throughout the land, not just in the Jerusalem area, and so they had to travel to minister when it was their turn.

We see this in Luke’s gospel with the father of John the Baptist who was rostered on to take his turn at the temple. This passage is making sure that they are able to benefit from both their work for the Lord and their work for themselves. In reality this is how it happens as NT believers. We find the Lord propers and blesses what we do in both our own house and in his, as long as our heart and priorities are correct.

Second on divination. This chapter lists nine different types of discernment by another spirit, all of them displeasing to the Lord. One wonders why he would be so bothered?

They represent faith in another besides him, or consulting another besides him. It must be a real offence to the Lord for him to be all knowing, and all compassionate and all loving, and to have people turn to demons for advice. Imagine knowing that your wife knew the answer to a problem, but then deliberately consulting someone else.

Additionally, demons are not only limited knowledge wise, but they deceive because they intend to harm, even if they pretend to help. Essentially consulting a demon instead of the Lord is a huge insult to Him.

Thirdly, the Prophet. This person called the Prophet, so briefly mentioned here is none other than the Messiah or Jesus Christ. Moses said God would raise up a prophet “like me.” Of all the great people in the OT, none is more like Jesus than Moses. And Moses said it was crucial that they “listen to Him.” This is nothing other than paying attention to Jesus. The Israelites struggled to listen to God at Mt Sinai, so the Lord sent a person directly among them being none other than Christ.

Thus the failure to listen to Christ carries a great weight. This person called the Prophet, so briefly mentioned here is none other than the Messiah or Jesus Christ. Moses said God would raise up a prophet “like me.” Of all the great people in the OT, none is more like Jesus than Moses.

The Samaritans who know nothing of the prophets, but only the first five books knew of the Messiah. The woman in John 4 said the Messiah would explain everything. She was thinking of a Moses-like prophet. Jews try to explain this passage by saying that “in each generation” a prophet arises, but this is an attempt to avoid the obvious comparison with Jesus. So Moses warning to “listen to him” is ignored.

Moses and Christ are very much alike - according to the Coffman commentary:

Both were objects of Divine intervention to save their lives in infancy.

Both were sons of virgins.

Both were called to deliver God's people.

Both were rejected by Israel.

Both were the greatest miracle-workers that the world ever saw.

Both left a palace (Jesus left heaven, Moses left Pharaoh's) to do their work. Both gave themselves up for God's people.

Both were mediators, Moses of the Old Covenant, Jesus of the New Covenant.

Both were both prophet and king to the people.

Both have their words enshrined in the Bible.

Both accomplished their missions.

Both delivered God's law to men.

Both were transfigured.

Both had God's people baptized "unto them."

Both gave bread to Israel, the manna and "the bread of life."

Both received special treatment in death.

Both lead God's people - Moses in the wilderness; Christ during our lives.

Both Moses and Jesus were faithful.

Both were full of compassion and love for the people whom they led.