Set to dark modeSet to dark modeDeuteronomy 18 Commentary
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Having dealt with the principles concerning a king, Moses then turns to another source of authority in the Promised Land when he instructs the Israelites on how the Levitical priests were to be supported. Since the Levitical priests would minister before the LORD at the central sanctuary, they were not supposed to do any secular job. They were to depend upon the dues and offerings of the other tribes.
Moses discusses religious practices that are prohibited. He then describes the office of prophets who proclaim the word of their LORD. Thus, he forbade the Israelites from following the detestable practices of the surrounding nations in order to live blamelessly before the LORD in the Promised Land.
Moses then told the Israelites that after his death, the LORD would raise up prophets like himself. The people were to turn to these godly prophets for communication with God. God also predicts Jesus will be a prophet like Moses.
Deuteronomy 18 deals with three subject matters and can be divided into three sections: Levitical priesthood in Israel (vv. 1-8), superstitious practices (vv. 9-14) and prophecy (vv. 15-22). In the first section, Moses instructs the Israelites on how to provide for the Levitical priests who minister before the LORD at the central sanctuary. As ministers, the Levitical priests are not supposed to do any secular job. They are to depend solely upon the dues of the other tribes. In the second section, Moses forbids the Israelites from following the detestable practices of the surrounding nations in order to live blamelessly before the Suzerain (Ruler) God in the Promised Land. In the last section, Moses commands the Israelites to reject the sorcery and witchcraft of the surrounding nations, and instead to listen to God through godly prophets.
Deuteronomy 18 can be outlined as follows:
-Concerning the Priests and Levites (Deut. 18:1 – 8)
-Concerning Prophets (Deut. 18:9 – 22)
-Illegitimate Practices of Prophets (Deut. 18:9 – 14)
-Legitimate Practices of Prophets (Deut. 18:15 – 22)
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