15 Moses continued, “The LORD
your God will raise up for you a prophet (Prophet) like me (Moses) from among
your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what
you yourselves requested of the LORD your God when you were assembled at Mount
Sinai (Horeb). You said, ‘Do not let us hear the voice of the LORD our God
anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’ 17 Then the LORD
said to me (Moses), ‘What they have said is right. 18 I will raise
up a prophet (Prophet) like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will
put My words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I (God) command
him. 19 I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen
to the messages the prophet proclaims on My behalf. 20 But any
prophet who falsely claims to speak in My Name or who speaks in the name of
another god must die.’ 21 But you may wonder (hearts and minds),
‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?’ 22 If
the prophet speaks in the LORD’s Name but his prediction does not happen or
come true, you will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet
has spoken without My authority and need not be feared.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-22 (NLT)
In Deuteronomy chapters 16:18 through Deuteronomy
18:22, the living God through His faithful servant Moses gives Israel and
believers of Jesus Christ instructions on His government and kingdom officials
in His land. These government and kingdom officials are judges, officers, priests,
kings, and prophets. Notably, in these chapters, the living God saw no
separation of church and state as the state and church were to work together to
maintain justices and fairness in the land. Furthermore, many biblical scholars
see Deuteronomy chapters 16:18 through Deuteronomy
18:22 as linked to God’s fifth commandment with obedience to our mothers and
fathers (see Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). Truly, disorder and anarchy in
the home breed disorder and anarchy in society.
The living God appoints government and
kingdom officials to govern His people on earth and maintain order (see also Romans
13:1-7; 1 Corinthians 14:40). There is no
authority except from God (e.g., see Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17; John 19:11; Romans
13:1-2, 4). Without government and kingdom officials, even with all its
shortcomings, there would be lawlessness, disorder, and chaos throughout the
land. Therefore, the Holy Scriptures instructs God’s people to pray for all these
officials in authority and not just criticize them (see Ezra 6:10; 1 Timothy
2:1-2). Besides, those who serve in appointed government and kingdom
officials are fully accountable to the living God. Ultimately, the living
God and His Son Jesus Christ are the Judge, supreme Legislator, and King of all
the heavens and earth (e.g., see Psalms 75:7; Psalm 82:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13;
John 8:16, 50; 1 Timothy 6:15; 1 Peter 4:5; Jude 1:15; Revelation 19:16).
First, the LORD God through His
servant Moses instructed Israel and now believers of Jesus Christ to appoint local
judges and officers from among their people in all the towns the LORD God gives
Israel (see Deuteronomy 16:18). These appointed judges and officers are to be
trustworthy, wise, and faithful men and women that judges all people equally, honestly,
and fairly – whether rich, poor, foreigners, orphans, widows, prisoners, etc. and
not follow the crowd by doing wrong and evil (Deuteronomy 16:18; see also Exodus
18:21; Exodus 23:2, 6-9; Deuteronomy 1:16-17; Deuteronomy 27:19; Proverbs 18:5;
Isaiah 10:1-2; James 2:1-4). Moreover, these appointed judges and officers are never
to twist and pervert justice nor show prejudice, favoritism, and preference (Deuteronomy
16:19; see also Exodus 23:3, 6-9; Leviticus 19:15). Even more, these appointed
judges and officials are not to accept a bribe or seek dishonest gain, for such
bribes and enticements blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of
the godly (Deuteronomy 16:19; see also Exodus 23:8; Samuel 8:1-3). Instead,
Moses instructed Israel and now the church to appoint judges and officers that
will seek only true justice and fairness for all people, so the people may
live and occupy the land that the LORD God is giving the people (Deuteronomy
16:20; see also Amos 5:12-14; Micah 6:6-8).
Then, Moses once again commanded Israel
and now the church to always exclusively worship and trust
the LORD God and give our best sacrifice and offerings to Him (Deuteronomy
17:1; see also Exodus 20:3, 5; Exodus 34:13-14; Exodus 23:24-26; Deuteronomy
5:7-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6). The LORD God is a consuming fire and a jealous God
who demands our wholehearted allegiance, worship, and love to Him first (e.g., see
Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:9; Joshua 24:19-20; Nahum 1:2-3;
Matthew 6:33). In their offering unto to LORD God, Israel and also the church
are never to offer unto God our mediocre offerings, worship, and sacrifices to
the LORD God for the living God detests such second-rate and shortchanged gifts
(Deuteronomy 17:1; see also Leviticus 22:20-22; Ephesians 5:19-20; Hebrews
13:15). We are always to give our first and our best to the living God –
time, money, worship, and talents (see Malachi 1:6-14).
Moreover, Moses instructed Israel and
now the church to never comingle and synchronize our worship of the living God
with other gods and idols (Deuteronomy 16:21-22; see also Deuteronomy 4:25-26; Joshua
23:16). The Old and New Testament prohibits syncretistic practices – cannot
serve two gods (e.g., see 2 Kings 21:7; Matthew 6:24). Idolatry violates the
very first commandments and the heart of the covenant (see Exodus 20:3-7;
Matthew 22:37). The LORD God demands our wholehearted and exclusive worship and
allegiance to Him first and exclusively (Deuteronomy 16:22; see also Matthew
6:33; Matthew 22:37; 1 John 5:21). Moses warned Israel and now the church that
mixing and synchronizing the worship of the living God with other gods, idols,
and the forces of heaven (e.g., the sun, the moon, or any of the stars) is evil
and violates the very heart of the covenant (Deuteronomy 17:2-3; see also Deuteronomy
4:15-19; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 13:6-14). If such evil and forbidden
worship occurs in the land, Moses commanded Israel to investigate the matter
thoroughly and interview multiple witnesses to confirm such wickedness and evil
(see Deuteronomy 17:4-6). One witness is not enough to convict a person accused
of such an evil crime or offense (e.g., see Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:15-17). Instead,
a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses with a thorough
investigation (see also Deuteronomy 19:15-21). If it is true that such
forbidden and detestable worship have been done in Israel, Israel was to
immediately remove such idolatry from their land (Deuteronomy 17:5, 7; see also
Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 24:15-16).
If the case arises for the local judges
and officers that are too hard to decide, such as a murder or manslaughter
charges, cases involving difficult assaults and lawsuits, then Moses instructed
Israel and also the church to take these difficult cases to the judges and the
Levitical priests the LORD God will choose – a central court (see Deuteronomy
17:8-9). Then, the God-appointed Levitical priests and the judges will hear these
difficult cases, interpret the law, and declare the verdict (see Deuteronomy
17:9, 11). The living God appointed His Levitical priests, who ministered
(served) before Him and pronounced blessings in His Name, to decide all legal
and criminal cases (see Deuteronomy 21:5). God’s people were to strictly carry
out the verdict the God-appointed Levitical priests and the judges announced
and the sentence they prescribed (see Deuteronomy 17:10-11). Anyone arrogant and
presumptuous enough to reject and not obey the verdict of the God-appointed judges
and priests must be removed from the land and be subject to judgment to purge
the evil from Israel (Deuteronomy 17:12-13; see also Romans 13:1-2).
Next, Moses gives Israel and also
believers of Jesus guidelines for selecting a king in God’s land (see Deuteronomy
17:14). Moses instructed the people to select a leader the LORD God chooses
(see Deuteronomy 17:15). Also, the king must be a one of God’s people and a
fellow Israelite and not a foreigner (see Deuteronomy 17:15). Unfortunately, Moses
was fearful that foreign rulers would lead Israel to worship other gods and
idols and not the living God exclusively. Also, Israel’s history revealed that
whenever God wanted to punish His people, He would set a foreign ruler over
them and let the people experience the contrast between the goodness of God and
the oppressiveness of the idolatrous Gentiles (e.g., see 2 Kings 17; 2 Kings 25).
Moreover, the king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or
send the people to Egypt to buy horses, for the LORD has told you, “You must
never return to Egypt” (see Deuteronomy 17:16). God’s king must always put
his full trust in the LORD God and not depend on horses and armies, foreign
alliances, or material wealth (e.g., see 1 Samuel 17:15; Psalm 33:16-20;
Psalm 147:10-11; Proverbs 21:31; Isaiah 31:1). Furthermore, the king must not
take many wives for himself, because these many wives will turn his heart away
from the LORD God (see Deuteronomy 17:1). Also, the king must not accumulate
large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself (see Deuteronomy 17:17).
Finally and most important, when the
king takes the throne, he must copy for himself God’s laws, ordinances, and
decrees on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests (see Deuteronomy
17:18). All God’s laws, ordinances, and decrees are rooted in the Ten
Commandments. The king must always keep God’s laws, ordinances, and decrees
with him and read and study it daily as long as he lived (Deuteronomy 17:19;
see also Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Joshua 1:7-8). Then, the king will learn to fear,
honor, and respect the LORD God – the true Great King (see Deuteronomy 17:19). Essentially,
the king must be a god-fearing leader and wholeheartedly obedient to God’s
Word. The king’s regular reading and studying of God’s laws, ordinances,
and decrees will prevent his heart from becoming full of pride and ruling God’s
people unjustly (see Deuteronomy 17:20). Even more, reading and studying
God’s
laws, commandments, and decrees will prevent the king from turning away from faithfully
following the living God and His righteous commands (Deuteronomy 17:20; see
also Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Joshua 23:6). If the king served the living God with
wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind and heart, he and his descendants
will reign for many generations and prosper in all they do and wherever they go
(Deuteronomy 17:20; see also Deuteronomy 4:40; 1 Kings 2:2-4; 1 Chronicles
28:8-10). The living God wanted to assure His leaders would always look to
Him regularly for guidance about military and governmental decisions (e.g.,
see 2 Samuel 5:19).
Sadly, Israel’s history proved that
they disobeyed God’s guidelines for selecting a leader and did not trust
wholeheartedly in the living God as their true King (see 1 Samuel 8:7-8; 1
Samuel 10:18-19). Samuel warned Israel what would happen if they looked to a
human king instead of the living God first as their true King (see 1 Samuel 8:9-18).
The command to avoid the amassing many horses and wives was clearly disobeyed
by all the kings of Israel and Judah, beginning with David and epitomized by
Solomon (e.g., see 2 Samuel 5:13-16; 1 Kings 4:26; 1 Kings 10:14-11:8; 2
Chronicles 1:14, 16; 2 Chronicles 9:28; Nehemiah 13:26-27; Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah
31:7; Ezekiel 17:15). In particular, Solomon violated all three regulations for
kingship and he led the nation into sin. Solomon married an Egyptian princess (see
1 Kings 3:1), the first of many political alliances he made by taking foreign
wives (see 1 Kings 11:1-6). Also, Solomon went back to Egypt not only for a
wife but also for horses for his army, and built “chariot cities” in Israel
where he stabled his horses and chariots (see 1 Kings 10:26, 28-29). As for his
wealth, it was fabulous and impossible to calculate (see 1 Kings 10:14-25, 27).
Out of Solomon’s sinful leadership came the nation’s disobedience, division,
and captivity (see 1 Kings 11:9-13). The living God was not against Israel
appointing a king but He always wanted the people to faithfully look to Him and
Him alone with obedience as the true King of heaven and earth (e.g., see Exodus
15:18; Psalm 10:16; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 146:10; Revelation 11:15). Yet, Israel’s
kings did not obey the living and their behavior led to their downfall.
Afterward, Moses gave Israel
instructions to remember and care for the Levitical priests—that is, the whole
of the tribe of Levi (see Deuteronomy 18:1). The priests and Levites received no
allotment or inheritance of land with Israel (Deuteronomy 18:1-2; see also Numbers
18:20; Deuteronomy 10:8-9; Deuteronomy 12:12;
Numbers 26:62). The lack of inheritance for the priests and Levites seemed inconsistent
with the provision granting them 48 cities throughout the land (see Numbers 35:1-8).
The LORD God did not allocate to the priests and Levites a contiguous block of
land, as the other eleven tribes of Israel. The priests and Levites’ towns
included only a limited agricultural perimeter (see Numbers 35:3-5), so they
were dependent on the gifts of the people. Nevertheless, the LORD God
Himself is the priests and Levites’ special possession (Deuteronomy 18:2;
see also Numbers 3:11-12). The LORD God chose the tribe of Levi out of all Israel’s
tribes to minister (serve) in His Name forever (Deuteronomy 18:5; see also Deuteronomy
10:8-9). The priests and Levites served much the same function as our ministers
today – to care for God’s sanctuary, preach His Word, and care for His people.
Because the priests and Levites could
not own property or pursue outside business interests, God made special
arrangements so that people would not take advantage of them. Levi’s brothers –
the eleven other tribes of Israel – were to care and share with the priests and
Levites (e.g., see Deuteronomy 12:12, 18-19; Deuteronomy 14:27). The living God
assigned His priests and Levites to eat from the tithes, offerings, and
sacrifices given to the LORD by His people (Deuteronomy 18:1, 3-4, 6-8; e.g., see
also Leviticus 7:28-34; Numbers 18:8-9, 12, 20-21, 23; Joshua 13:14; 1 Samuel
2:28; Nehemiah 13:10-14; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Every third
year, the people’s tithe would be distributed to the Levites, the needy, the
poor, orphans, widows, and foreigners living within the town (Deuteronomy
14:28-29). Israel was never to neglect the Levites (ministers of God), the
foreigners living among them, the orphans, the widows, and the poor in the land
(Deuteronomy 14:27-29; see also Numbers 18:20-32). In collecting the tithe
for Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, the widows, and the poor, Moses was
appealing to Israel and now the church to always help people in need (e.g. see
Exodus 22:21; Psalm 146:9; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Romans 12:13; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2;
2 Corinthians 9:6-14; Hebrews 13:16; James 1:27). The living God accepted these
gifts from Israel for these people as an offering to Himself. The reasons for
such care are given: Israel and now believers of Jesus are to imitate the holy
character of God (see Leviticus 19:2), who cares for the poor and we are to
love our neighbor as ourselves (see Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19; Matthew
22:39; John 13:34-35).
Notably, the New Testament acknowledged
that those who minister and serve before the living God and preach the Gospel message
should live from the Gospel (see Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:12-14; 1 Timothy
5:18). Yet, the Apostle Paul did not take advantage of this right (1
Corinthians 9:15; see also Acts 18:3). Instead the Apostle Paul proclaimed the
Gospel message voluntarily and without compensation so that he would not be a
burden to others (see 1 Corinthians 9:17-18, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:9-10).
Then, Moses instructed Israel that the
LORD God will raise up from them a Prophet similar to him from among their fellow
Israelites (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; see also Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37-38). Israel
was to listen to Him (see Deuteronomy 18:15). Moses was a faithful prophet of
God (e.g., see Deuteronomy 34:10; Hebrews 3:1-2). Previously, Israel asked Moses
at Mount Sinai (Horeb) for a prophet (messenger) when they heard the voice of
the living LORD God Almighty and witnessed His power, majesty, and glory
(Deuteronomy 18:16-17; see also Exodus 20:18-21; Deuteronomy 5:23-28). Moses
announced to Israel that the living God would raise up a Prophet like him from
among their fellow Israelites after his death (see Deuteronomy 18:18). The
living God would place His Words in the His prophet’s mouth, and that faithful
prophet will tell the people everything He command (see Deuteronomy 18:18).
Then, the LORD God promised to personally deal with anyone who will not listen
to the messages the prophet proclaims on His behalf (Deuteronomy 18:19; see
also Acts 3:23).
However, Moses warned that any prophet
who falsely claims to speak in God’s Name or who speaks in the name of another
god must die (Deuteronomy 18:20; see also Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Many
people – cult members as well as believers of Jesus Christ – claim that God has
spoken to them. Then, Moses gave Israel a test to determine whether a prophet
is from the living God (see Deuteronomy 18:21). If the prophet speaks in the
LORD’s Name but his prediction does not happen or come true, then Israel will
know that the LORD did not give that message (Deuteronomy 18:22; see also
Deuteronomy 13:2; Jeremiah 28:9). That false prophet has spoken arrogantly and
presumptively without God’s authority and need not be feared (see Deuteronomy
18:22). Not only does a prediction made in God’s Name must, in fact, come true
(see Deuteronomy 18:21-22) but also and equally important the prophet always
point people to worship and obey the living God and His moral commands (see
Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 6, 13).
Through human history starting with
Abraham, God has sent His prophets (messengers, servants) to speak His Word into
the world (e.g. see Genesis 20:7). Specifically, the living God denied and
warned His people to never seek after such individuals as mediums, spiritists,
fortunetellers, witches, and other detestable sources to seek His Word and His guidance
(Deuteronomy 18:9-14; e.g., see also Leviticus 19:26, 31; Leviticus 20:6;
1
Samuel 28:3-25). For the church, the Apostle Paul specifically listed idolatry
and witchcraft among the sins of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). Moreover,
the book of Revelation warns that anyone engaging in these evil practices of
sorcery, witchcraft, and divination is destined for the lake of fire (see
Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:14-15). Such evil messengers are masquerade
as people of God but they are false and sent from the Evil One to draw
people away from the living God and His moral commands (e.g., see Matthew 7:15;
2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1). The Holy Scriptures warn that
false prophets can perform miracles (e.g., see 2 Thessalonians 2:9) and not
everybody who addresses Jesus as “Lord” is a true prophet of God (see Matthew
7:21-23). Therefore, before listening and
following any messenger claiming to speak a Word from God, check their words
against the Holy Bible. The living God never contradicts Himself and use the
Holy Bible to evaluate any prophet’s authenticity of this message. The
living God has called His people to hold on to what is good and stay away from
every kind of evil (e.g., see Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:9-11; 1 Thessalonians
5:19-22).
Instead, the living God through His
Holy Spirit sends His faithful and good prophets to help and build up His
people in His moral commands and righteous ways (e.g., see Jeremiah 25:4; Jeremiah
29:19; Jeremiah 35:15; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 10, 28; Ephesians 4:11). Some of these
faithful prophets were writing prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
and the “minor prophets” while others prophets are named throughout the
Scriptures such as Elijah and Elisha that faithfully spoke God’s Word. These
faithful prophets not only scolded Israel for sin and encouraged them in holy
living, but they pointed to the coming of the Messiah who would be the Savior
of the world (e.g., see Luke 24:27, 45-49). In these faithful prophets, the
living God has given His Word to speak to the people (e.g., see Exodus 4:12;
Isaiah 6:7; Jeremiah 1:9-10). The living God continues to reveal His guidance
today with prophecy to His people through the Holy Spirit (e.g., see 1
Corinthians 12:10). Sadly, many people refuse to listen and pay attention to
God’s faithful prophets who speak the Word of God (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:13-14; Jeremiah
7:25-26).
Throughout the centuries, biblical
scholars have interpreted Deuteronomy 18:15 to refer to a special prophet who
would appear before the Messiah comes to establish His kingdom. From Malachi
4:5, the Jews knew that Elijah would return at the end of the age, and many
Jews wondered if the special prophet was John the Baptist, who dressed and
ministered so much like Elijah (see Luke 3:1-9; Matthew 3:4). However, John the
Baptist specifically denied that he was the special prophet predicted by Moses
from Deuteronomy 18 (see John 1:19-21). In one sense, John was an “Elijah” who
prepared the way for Jesus Christ (see Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:12; Luke
1:13-17), but John did not identify himself as the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5.
The greatest of all God’s prophets was
Jesus the Messiah. Not only was Jesus the Messiah, Priest, coming King, and Son
of God (see Matthew 2:2; Mark 1:1; John 20:31; Hebrews 3:1-2; Revelation
19:11, 16), Jesus was the Prophet predicted by Moses who spoke God’s Word
faithfully to the people (e.g., see Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; John 12:49-50; John
17:8). The early church believed that Jesus was the Prophet predicted by Moses
because He faithfully proclaimed the living God – His Father – in His words,
actions, and deeds by the Holy Spirit (e.g., see Matthew 21:11; Luke 24:19; John
1:44-45; John 6:14; John 7:40; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37). Nevertheless, some
Muslims believe Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 refer to the coming of Muhammad. However,
Stephen among others unequivocally identified Jesus as the fulfillment of
Moses’ prophecy (see Acts 7:37).
Sadly, in Israel and Judah’s history,
God’s people did not follow God’s instructions on appointing judges, officers,
priests, kings, and prophets. Because Israel and Judah did not appoint wise
judges and faithful officers, rebellion and injustice plagued Israel and Judah
communities. Instead, Israel and Judah’s judges, officers, priests, kings, and
prophets oppressed the people, took bribes, and deprived the poor of justice in
the courts (e.g., see 1 Samuel 8:3; Isaiah 1:23; Amos 2:6-7; Amos 5:12). Israel
and Judah’s failure to provide justice and fairness by its judges, officers,
priests, kings, and prophets aroused God’s anger and caused His people to be
exiled from God’s land (see 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2
Kings 18:11-12; 2 Kings 21:2-16; 2 Kings 25:1-22; 2 Chronicles 33:1-9). Specifically,
read 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 21:2-16 for all the violations of Israel and
Judah that brought God’s wrath on the land. For instance, the priests were
not appointed by God but became political appointments and led God’s people away
from the living God. Moreover, the courts became corrupt by allowing the rich
and wealthy to rob the poor and needy, and the wealthy soon owned great estates
and controlled God’s land. Also, many of the prophets in Israel and Judah had
“lying” spirits, not the Spirit of God, and predicted falsehood and other
deceptions. Even more, many of Israel and Judah’s kings did not follow
wholeheartedly the ways of the LORD God and first seek God’s guidance in all
matters.
References
ESV Study
Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).
New Student
Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).
NLT
Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
Pub., 2008).
Zondervan NIV
Study Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).
Wiersbe,
Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –
Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).