The attitude toward the prophets, as we can see, is from the Torah's point of view an indicator of faithfulness to God. There is nothing surprising here: a prophet is above all...
The attitude toward the prophets, as we can see, is from the Torah's point of view an indicator of faithfulness to God. There is nothing surprising here: a prophet is above all God's witness, and therefore to believe the prophet means to believe God Himself. Yet, on the other hand, the Torah itself contains everything necessary for those who want to fulfill God's will. Why, then, is prophetic ministry mentioned here, in the Torah, and mentioned as something without which the Torah is not complete?
One can say, of course, that this concerns a special charismatic component of the Torah, that the Torah itself presupposes constant development, that revelation is not completed either by Moses or by any of the later prophets. All this is so, but this mention of prophetic ministry by the Torah has one more aspect, one that concerns everyone.
Of course, not everyone is given prophetic ministry. Even so, everyone has, or at least should have, living relations with God. And the Torah itself is not simply legislation; it is not a collection of rules of behavior or moral norms. The Torah is a description of the path that leads to God. It can be compared to a map, which has value only when it is used for its purpose, to chart a path toward the goal.
But as a rule, a map alone is not enough for this task; a compass is also needed. Relations with God, personal revelation, become such a compass for a person. And the Torah itself points the reader to this compass, making clear that without direct revelation it is useless, that it is impossible to follow it on the basis of the letter alone. And in order not to be limited to the letter alone, it is necessary to feel that breath of God, that spirit of which the prophets spoke. Then the Torah will come alive, turning from a code of laws into the living word of revelation.
18 Rules concerning priests and Levites, Deu 18:1-8.
Cautions against witchcraft, Deu 18:9-14.
A promise of Christ, Deu 18:15-19.
The punishment and mark of a false prophet, Deu 18:20-22.
18:1 His inheritance - The Lord's portion or inheritance, which God had reserved to himself, as tithes and first fruits, and other oblations distinct from those which were made by fire.
18:3 The maw - The Hebrew word here rendered maw or stomach, may have another signification, and some render it the breast, others take it for the part, which lies under the breast.
18:6 With all the desire of his mind - With full purpose to fix his abode, and to spend his whole time and strength in the service of God. It seems, the several priests were to come from their cities to the temple by turns, before David's time; and it is certain they did so after it.But if any of them were not contented with this attendance upon God in his tabernacle, or temple, and desired more entirely and constantly to devote himself to God's service there, he was permitted so to do, because this was an eminent act of piety joined with self - denial, to part with those great conveniences which he enjoyed in the city of his possession.
18:8 Like portions - With their brethren who were in actual ministration: as they share with them in the work, so shall they in the encouragements. Beside that which cometh - The reason of this law was, because he that waited on the altar, ought to live by the altar: and because it was fit he should keep his money, wherewith he might redeem what he sold, if afterwards he saw occasion for it. Mr. Henry adds a remarkable note here: especially considering he wrote threescore years ago. "A hearty, pious zeal to serve God and his church, tho' it may a little encroach upon a settled order, and there may be somewhat in it that looks irregular, yet ought to be gratified, and not discouraged. He that loves dearly to be employed in the service of the sanctuary: in God's name let him minster. He shall be as welcome to God as the Levites, whose course it was to minister, and should be so to them."
18:10 Useth divination - Foretelleth things secret or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times - Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an observer of the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the motions of the clouds, by the stars, or by the flying or chattering of birds, all which Heathens used to observe. An inchanter - Or, a conjecturer, that discovers hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke or any contingencies. A witch - One that is in covenant with the devil.
18:11 A charmer - One that charmeth serpents or other cattle. Or, a fortune - teller, that foretelleth the events of men's lives by the conjunctions of the stars. Spirits - Whom they call upon by certain words or rites. A wizard - Heb. a knowing man, who by any forbidden way's undertakes the revelation of secret things. A necromancer - One that calleth up and enquireth of the dead.
18:13 Perfect - Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving to him and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all commerce and conversations with devils.
18:14 Hath not suffered thee so to do - Hath not suffered thee to follow these superstitious and diabolical practices, as he hath suffered other nations to do, but hath instructed thee better by his word and spirit, and will more fully instruct thee by a great prophet.
18:15 Will raise up - Will produce and send into the world in due time.A prophet like unto me - Christ was truly, and in all commendable parts like him, in being both a prophet and a king and a priest and mediator, in the excellency of his ministry and work, in the glory of his miracles, in his familiar and intimate converse with God.
18:19 I will require it - I will punish him severely for it. The sad effect of this threatning the Jews have felt for above sixteen hundred years together.
18:22 If the thing - Which he gives as a sign of the truth of his prophecy. The falsehood of his prediction shews him to be a false prophet.Presumptuously - Impudently ascribing his own vain and lying fancies to the God of truth.