Priests & Prophets

INTRO

The word for Deuteronomy is Prophet, and we’ll talk about the role of the prophet today. Deuteronomy 17:18–19 talks about the scroll the prophet was to write upon and copy the Word of God. The prophet’s release of those words is the backdrop of Deuteronomy 18.

TEACHING

Deuteronomy 18:1–2: As Moses wrote instructions for the prophets, he outlined the importance of the role of the priests. The whole tribe of Levi will receive no land when they enter the Promised Land and they will be dependent upon people’s provision as they gave offerings (v. 1). Constable describes the Levite priests as “sojourners among the other Israelites . . . had their own cities,” but received none of the land inheritance of the other tribes of Israel.¹The Lord was the Levites’ inheritance (v. 2; Matthew 6:33).

As the Levites walked out their priestly role, they couldn’t be worried about provision, about where their food and money would come from. This was of the Lord; it was not their choosing (Deuteronomy 10:8–9). Moses was reiterating God’s promise to the tribe of Levi. At the beginning of the Time to Revive Ministry, it felt weird to be asking for money and donations to continue to go and share the gospel and make disciples. It felt weird to go into Walmart and buy food with money people gave. It felt like everyone was watching. But if you have the mentality of a Levite, then God has specifically called you to this role. When people within the body of Christ help support this calling, you as a Levite, will understand more fully that God is your portion. It takes a while to navigate those waters, and it probably felt weird to some of the Levites at first.

Deuteronomy 18:3–8: When oxen, sheep, or goats were sacrificed, priests were given the shoulder, jaws, and stomach. Further, priests were given the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, and wool of sheared sheep (v. 4). As representatives of the Messiah and called into service by God, they were given the firstfruits (v. 5). There was no turning back for the Levites because this was their calling (v. 6).

I’m not going into much detail on this section because I want to save enough time to cover what I think is the most important verse in all of Deuteronomy. Just understand that, up to this point, we’ve been talking about the Levitical priests.

Deuteronomy 18:9–13: The first set of instructions for prophets were things they were not to do: do not imitate detestable customs or occult practices; do not participate in child sacrifice, divination, fortune telling, omens, sorcery; do not cast spells, consult medium/familiar spirits, or call up the dead (vv. 9–11). All of this was so abominable in God’s sight that He was “driving out the nations before you because of these detestable things” (v. 12). Therefore, when coming into communities where God had already driven out these practices, don’t bring them back in. He was telling them to beware of people luring them away or wanting to bring back past detestable practices. Instead, they were to come before God with a pure heart (v. 13).

Amidst all these detestable things, consider the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). Deuteronomy 6:5–6: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.” If this verse is on your wall or in a box, it can become legalistic if it’s not in your heart. Amid all the negativity, have a heart condition for all things of God, and be different from the world.

Deuteronomy 18:14: The prophets were told to not give in to false prophets or they would become an abomination (v. 14). They were not to meddle in the ways of the land they went into (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 17:7). These are two pictures of what God was saying again and again: “Don’t go back to the old, I want you to experience something new.” This is why we have celebrations; we were there and now we are here.

Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” God was going to raise up a Prophet like Moses from one of the tribes.

Qualities of this Prophet include: Being an Israelite, called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, God’s spokesman, authorized to speak in the Lord’s name, a good shepherd over God’s people, and authenticated by signs. The likeness of Moses points to Jesus. Moses was an Israelite, was called by the Lord, had the Spirit came upon him, was a spokesperson, was authorized, was a good shepherd, and was authenticated by signs. Moses was a prophet, and the one coming would have similar qualities and characteristics:²

John the Baptist, Peter, and Stephen all talked about Jesus being the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15 (John 1:19–27, 43–45; 5:45–47; 6:14–15; 7:40). Not only did John the Baptist prepare the way, but John recorded Philip saying, “We found Him, the one that Moses wrote about” (John 1:43–45). Over and over the signs pointed to Jesus’ coming (Acts 3:17–20; 7:37; Hebrews 3:1–6).

CLOSING

Everything pointed to Jesus being greater than the prophet Moses, and Moses agreed. Moses told the people: “There is going to be a Prophet coming and I need you to listen to Him. I, Moses, do not save people, only He can.” Deuteronomy 18 was speaking of the signs of the coming Messiah’s arrival.