< Deuteronomy 18 >

The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to be priests to do his service therefore they did not have any inheritance in the land. Consequently, the other tribes were required to provide for them. The priests were to have meat from the sacrifices and the firstfruits of all crops.

Hopefully, with so many priests in their midst faithfully serving the true God, the people would be protected from the abominable religious practices of the other nations, such as sacrificing their children to their pagan gods: “making his son or his daughter pass through the fire”.

Moses was a prophet of the LORD and typical of the Lord Jesus Christ, as he said to Israel. At Sinai (Horeb v.16)Deuteronomy 18:16XWaiting for response the people had asked that God should not speak directly to them but through Moses, therefore God promised them a greater Prophet vs.18-19.Deuteronomy 18:18-19XWaiting for response This is quoted in the New Testament and applied to Jesus (Acts 3:22-24)Acts 3:22-24XWaiting for response who did not speak his own words but his Father’s, and it is a requirement that we accept his words. Of them who reject God’s words which he spoke, Jesus said John 12:48.John 12:48XWaiting for response Of them that receive his words, he said John 14:23.John 14:23XWaiting for response

Jesus was a true prophet of God, as were Moses and many others, but there have also been many false prophets. How can we distinguish between the two? Israel were given a test to apply. We can apply this test to those who claim to speak God’s words today, and we can also apply another test, given to Israel later, to ensure we believe God's truth: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” Isaiah 8:20.Isaiah 8:20XWaiting for response