Deuteronomy 18-19

As a reminder, God did not want His priests to be concerned with what they were to eat or drink. Instead, He expected them to be focused on the task of serving Him at all times. Therefore, Deuteronomy 18 opens with God reminding His people of their responsibility to care for these chosen servants. From there, prohibitions regarding such abominable acts as witchcraft, child sacrifice, fortune-telling, psychic practices, sorcery, and necromancy are again articulated to the Israelites. It is once more clear that God expected His people to be set apart from the sinful behaviors of this fallen world, and that expectation has not changed for us here and now. We may think of things like reading horoscopes and playing with Ouija boards as innocent fun, but these detestable practices have no place among the body of Christ. Purge the evil from your midst, Christian!

In Verses 15-22 of chapter 18, God promises to raise up a new Prophet, of whom the Israelites would listen. And how would the people know He was from the LORD? If what He declared in the name of the LORD came to pass. Stephen makes clear in Acts 7:37 that the Prophet who God was speaking of here was our Lord and Savior. He is the One who would speak only what the Father told Him to say (18:18; John 12:49), and for those who would not respond faithfully, God would “require it of him” (18:19; John 12:48). Moreover, all that He said would and will come to fruition (John 2:22; Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:6-7, as examples). To be sure, Jesus Christ is the true, better, and greater Prophet; let us confidently trust and receive all that He has said, as it is for our good.

The second half of today’s reading begins with a repeat of the laws pertaining to cities of refuge. (Keep in mind these commands are being given to a group of individuals who were children at the time when these laws were initially communicated.) Moses then conveys to the Israelites a principle to protect one’s personal property, and in doing so, reinforces the command to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18), as well as Jesus’s exhortation to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12). 

Speaking of doing good to neighbors, Deuteronomy 19 closes with laws concerning witnesses. To avoid someone who had a grudge against another providing false testimony, “Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established” (19:15). Additionally, if someone was found to have committed perjury, the same punishment they were seeking through their false accusations would fall upon them. Such a response would solicit fear among the rest of the congregation, thereby deterring further evil from percolating through the camp. As you progress through these chapters, I hope you are continuing to recognize how God’s laws are given for our practical good, for the establishment of a just society, and for His glory. 

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Spend some time thinking through your common practices. Is there anything that God would deem detestable in these rhythms?  

·       How were God’s laws that were given in Deuteronomy 18-19 intended for our practical good, for the establishment of a just society, and for His glory?