Deuteronomy 18
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Overview
Deuteronomy 18 addresses the provisions for the priests and Levites, their role in Israelite society, and introduces the important concept of a prophet like Moses. This chapter underscores the significance of spiritual leadership and divine guidance. Key elements include:
Provisions for Priests and Levites: The chapter begins by outlining the portions allocated to the priests and Levites from the sacrifices offered by the people. Since they do not have a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, the offerings of the people are their inheritance.
Rights of the Priests: Specific rights of the priests are mentioned, including their entitlement to the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, wool, and the firstborn of cattle and sheep. This support ensures they can focus on their spiritual and religious duties.
Prohibition of Occult Practices: Moses warns the Israelites against participating in detestable practices like child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, and consulting the dead. Such practices are abominations to the LORD.
Promise of a Prophet: Moses tells the Israelites that God will raise up for them a prophet like himself from among their own people. They must listen to this prophet, as this is in response to their request at Horeb not to hear the voice of the LORD or see His great fire anymore, lest they die.
The Prophet’s Role: The prophet will speak in God’s name, and anyone who does not listen to the words the prophet speaks on behalf of God will be held accountable.
Test of a True Prophet: The chapter concludes with a test to determine whether or not a message is from the LORD. If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and what they say does not happen or come true, that message is not from the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18 plays a crucial role in establishing the spiritual framework of Israel. It sets out provisions for the religious leaders (the Levitical priests), denounces pagan practices, and establishes the authority of a prophet like Moses. This prophet is envisioned as a key figure for guiding the Israelites, reinforcing the central role of divine communication in their national life. The chapter emphasizes the need for spiritual purity and obedience to God's chosen messengers.
Provisions for Priests and Levites: The chapter begins by outlining the portions allocated to the priests and Levites from the sacrifices offered by the people. Since they do not have a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, the offerings of the people are their inheritance.
Rights of the Priests: Specific rights of the priests are mentioned, including their entitlement to the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, wool, and the firstborn of cattle and sheep. This support ensures they can focus on their spiritual and religious duties.
Prohibition of Occult Practices: Moses warns the Israelites against participating in detestable practices like child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, and consulting the dead. Such practices are abominations to the LORD.
Promise of a Prophet: Moses tells the Israelites that God will raise up for them a prophet like himself from among their own people. They must listen to this prophet, as this is in response to their request at Horeb not to hear the voice of the LORD or see His great fire anymore, lest they die.
The Prophet’s Role: The prophet will speak in God’s name, and anyone who does not listen to the words the prophet speaks on behalf of God will be held accountable.
Test of a True Prophet: The chapter concludes with a test to determine whether or not a message is from the LORD. If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and what they say does not happen or come true, that message is not from the LORD.
Deuteronomy 18 plays a crucial role in establishing the spiritual framework of Israel. It sets out provisions for the religious leaders (the Levitical priests), denounces pagan practices, and establishes the authority of a prophet like Moses. This prophet is envisioned as a key figure for guiding the Israelites, reinforcing the central role of divine communication in their national life. The chapter emphasizes the need for spiritual purity and obedience to God's chosen messengers.
Deuteronomy 18
1 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.
2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
3 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 unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
5Â For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
6Â 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 unto the place which the LORD shall choose;
7 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.
8Â They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
9Â When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11Â Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13Â Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
15Â The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16Â According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy 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.
17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18Â I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20Â 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.
21Â And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
End of Deuteronomy 18
1 Year Plan: Mar 22 - Deut 18, Deut 19,  Ps 34
2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
3 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 unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
5Â For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
6Â 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 unto the place which the LORD shall choose;
7 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.
8Â They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
9Â When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11Â Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13Â Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
15Â The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16Â According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy 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.
17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18Â I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20Â 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.
21Â And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
End of Deuteronomy 18
1 Year Plan: Mar 22 - Deut 18, Deut 19,  Ps 34
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