Deut. 17:1 ¶ Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.
This chapter begins with the command that only unblemished animals are acceptable for making sacrifices to YHWH. A blemish is a reference to deformity, injury or any visible evidence that the animal is not perfect. Evilfavouredness is a reference to disease, which might not be visible. The principle: We are to give God nothing less than our best. These sacrifices were pointing to the coming sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect and unblemished Son of God, on the cross; anything less than perfect would not rightly picture that truth.
Deut. 17:2 If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
Deut. 17:3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
Deut. 17:4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
Deut. 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
These verses declare that the sin of idolatry is worthy of punishment by death. It is important to note that judgment was to be certain (established as fact, sure, without doubt). The method of execution—stoning.
God is very clear in the scripture that He is a jealous God and that He will not condone His people giving glory or worship to anyone or anything else.
Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God….”
Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
Jeremiah 25:6 “And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.”
I was about to move on when I noticed the phrase “that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God.” You would think that with such a severe penalty, anyone who might choose to worship idols would try to hide their actions. The truth is, however, that you can’t hide from God. Everything you do is “in His sight.” The psalmist expressed this truth beautifully.
Psalm 139:7-12 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
Deut. 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Deut. 17:7 The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.
It is important to note that there must be at least two witnesses who verify the accusation—two people who have personal knowledge through observation. These witnesses will be required to throw the first stones in implementation of the death sentence. I am sure this was meant to deter collusion in false accusation. Although not a guarantee of justice in judgment considering what men have been shown capable of doing to each other throughout history, it’s probably as good a safeguard as there can be. We know that God will ensure justice is done.
I couldn’t help but think of the example in the life of Jesus when the Pharisees brought before Him a woman caught in the act of adultery, and the LORD used this very principle in response to their accusation (John 8). Though their accusation was probably true, the LORD worded His answer so as to emphasize their own sin even in making accusation against the woman.
John 8:7 “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
If she had been caught, then the man was caught also. Where was he? He was just as guilty as she, and they had let him go. If they were really concerned about judging sin, they would have brought both. Their evil motives were exposed.
The important truth that Moses is declaring is that the people of God should not tolerate evil in the community. Israel was being addressed as a nation, but this principle is just as applicable to the church today.
Deut. 17:8 ¶ If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
Deut. 17:9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
Deut. 17:10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
Deut. 17:11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
Deut. 17:12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
Deut. 17:13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
In reading the different translations, it becomes clear that verse 8 is referencing cases that are difficult to judge because of controversy over the facts. Those cases are to be brought to the priests, identified as belonging to the tribe of Levi. It would seem that there was a particular priest, probably in each city of the Levites, who was appointed to serve as judge. Once the priests and judge had pronounced judgment, they were to accept it as final. Anyone who tried to take the law into his own hands in disregard of the judgment of God’s established authority (the priests and judge) was to be sentenced to death.
God is very clear throughout scripture that His people are to obey the authorities that He has established. The only justified exception is when we are directed to disobey God in the process.
Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Deut. 17:14 ¶ When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
Deut. 17:15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
Again, I think it is important to note that Moses is giving instruction regarding “when” not “if” they take possessions of the land YHWH is giving them. Moses is prophesying that the time will come when the people of Israel will ask for a king. Their main reason—They want to be like all the other nations.
This desire to be like everyone else, to fit in with the crowd, to not stand out as different has given the enemy an easy platform from which to tempt the people of God throughout history. Peer pressure is a powerful influence in the lives of individuals, especially during the formative years. Peer pressure can work for the good, but far more often results in the bad. I can’t help but think of the following verses.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Moses goes on to declare that YHWH will grant their wish, but He will choose the king. His choice will be one from among the children of Israel. Again, this should serve as a safeguard against sin. A child of Israel should be grounded in the truth of God’s law and be obedient to the God of Israel. Sadly, this does not prove to be the case.
Again, this is a principle that is applicable to the church today. We don’t have a king, but we do have pastors that lead congregations. You would think that pastors identifying themselves as “Christian” would be focused on knowing the word of God and leading and teaching their flocks according to that truth. Sadly, just as shown by the kings of Israel, many teach according to their own wisdom and lead according to their own purposes.
Deut. 17:16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Even though this instruction will not be needed for hundreds of years, Moses goes on to instruct the people regarding appropriate behavior of a king. Evidently, the nation of Egypt was known for its horses. The kings of Israel are not to seek to equip their army with horses. YHWH has declared that they are not to turn to Egypt for help or imitate their ways. He goes on to declare in chapter 20 that He is sufficient for their protection against their enemies no matter how many there might be or how well they may seem equipped.
Deuteronomy 20:1 “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
Again, sadly, history shows that they ignored this instruction as well.
Deut. 17:17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Another important instruction for the king—He is not to have multiple wives. This instruction seems to have been ignored by every king of Israel. It’s interesting to me that the reason given for the instruction was not because it went against God’s plan for the home, but because it would turn his heart away [from God seems to be implied, which would also imply toward something else—idols].
Neither is the king supposed to direct his attention toward accumulating material wealth—silver and gold. The heart of the king should be to trust God to supply according to His will.
I couldn’t help but think of King Solomon as I read through this section. Solomon was supposed to be the wisest man that ever lived, yet He disobeyed God in each of these areas.
1Kings 10:21, 23 & 28 “And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon…..So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom….And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt….”
1Kings 4:26 “And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.”
1Kings 11:2-3 “Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines…”
And where did it lead him?
1Kings 11:3b-4 “…and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
And how did Solomon describe his actions?
Ecclesiastes 2:7-11 “I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
Deut. 17:18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
Deut. 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Deut. 17:20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
Each king was to take the time to write his own copy of God’s law copying directly from the one used by the priests. He is then to keep that copy with him and read from it “all the days of his life.” Why? To produce in him a fear/reverence for YHWH and obedience to His word. It will also ensure that he not fall into the sin of pride and thinking that he is better than other people. It will also ensure God’s blessing in prolonging his life and reign and the continuing reign of his children.
I have learned much from having to pay attention to each word in scripture as I have undertaken to work on each of these journals. Scripture is clear that the word of God is powerful when applied to one’s life.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
1Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Deut. 18:1 ¶ The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.
Deut. 18:2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
This next section of instructions concerns the Levites. This tribe is not to be allotted a portion of the land inheritance in the Promised Land. They have been set apart by YHWH to serve Him. They are to be provided for through the sacrifices, offerings and tithes that the people offer to the LORD.
I’ve always made reference to the tribe of Levi as the priestly tribe. That is true in that Aaron and his descendants are part of that tribe, but only the descendants of Aaron are to serve as priests. The rest of the Levites are set apart for other responsibilities associated with the function of the tabernacle in service to the priests.
Numbers 3:9 “And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.”
Numbers 1:50-51 “But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up….”
Numbers 18:20-21 “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
The Levites were to be given specific cities scattered throughout the nation of Israel.
Numbers 35:1-2 “And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.”
After the temple was built in Jerusalem, the Levites continued to have duties to assist the priests in taking care of the temple and performing their priestly duties. In addition, they served as scribes, porters, judges, musicians, teachers of the law, and as supervisors of the standards of weights and measures that were used in transacting business. These positions are all recorded in the books of the Chronicles.
Deut. 18:3 And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
Deut. 18:4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
Though the reference is to “the priest’s,” the context clearly indicates that this term references all the Levites. It is declaring that the priests are to be allowed to eat a portion of the sacrifices that are offered and are also to have their needs supplied by the tithes that are given to the LORD as members of His inheritance (v2).
Deut. 18:5 For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
Again, we are told that the Levites were specifically chosen by YHWH among all the tribes of Israel to be consecrated to His service and that this position was to belong to them “for ever.” Although the temple has not functioned for thousands of years, we know from the prophet Ezekiel that the temple will be reestablished and that the sons of Levi will once again be privileged to serve in its ministry, but it will be the sons of Zadok that are given honored positions of service. (See journal on Ezekiel 43 and following.)
Deut. 18:6 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;
Deut. 18:7 Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.
Deut. 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
These verses indicate that the Levites had the freedom to relocate according to the LORD’s leading. Obviously, the tabernacle could only be in one location and only those living in that city could “stand there before the LORD.” “The place which the LORD shall choose” seems to be a direct reference to the words of Moses as recorded in chapter 12.
Deuteronomy 12:5-7 “But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.”
So it would seem that the context is referencing relocating to serve at the tabernacle. Those who so choose are to be given equal treatment with the others already serving there without regard to their personal possessions.
Deut. 18:9 ¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
Moses now turns his attention to warning the people against adopting the wicked practices of the heathen nations. The Hebrew for abominations makes direct reference to things that are morally disgusting and associated with the worship of idols.
I think it is again important to note how often Moses makes the point that it is God that is giving them the land. They will not be able to conquer in their own strength apart from God’s enablement.
Deut. 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deut. 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
In these verses Moses lists some of the abominations being referenced in verse 9. No one is to be found in Israel who:
Makes sons/daughters pass through the fire – This is a reference to sacrificing one’s children’s to idols.
Uses divination – Webster defines divination as “the pretended art discovering secret or future by preternatural [not natural, inexplicable] means.”
Is an observer of times – The Hebrew makes reference to one that practices magic. Chuck Smith states that this is the use of astrology and horoscopes. This made sense to me since astrology is all predicated on “times.” As I looked further, I found this comment in John Wesley’s Notes: “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.”
Is an enchanter – The Hebrew makes reference to whispering magic spells and prognosticating (using signs to tell the future). Wesley identifies this person as one who “discovers hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke or any contingencies.” [Couldn’t help but think of Nostradamus who came up with his famous quatrains by staring at water.]
Is a witch – Again, the Hebrew makes reference to whispering spells and practicing magic. As we continue in this list, it is quite clear that all these practices are centered on appearing to be able to duplicate the power and authority of God. This has ever been Satan’s goal, to establish himself as “God,” through the use of lies and deceit. I couldn’t help but think of the following verses in Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 & 9-10 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped…Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
Is a charmer – The Hebrew makes reference to being able to charm or fascinate people through the use of spells; Webster adds through the use of enchantment, the use of “certain wonderful effects by the aid of demons, or the agency of supposed spirits; the use of magic arts, spells, or charms; incantation.” Considering the focus on Haiti after the earthquake, I couldn’t help but think of voodoo in connection with this command.
Is a consulter with familiar spirits – The Hebrew made a direct connection to the necromancer and one who uses ventriloquism to practice his deception. This is referring to those who seek to talk to the dead.
Is a wizard – The Hebrew defines a wizard as “a knowing one” and one who can conjure up ghosts. Wesley adds that it is one who “by any forbidden ways undertakes the revelation of secret things.”
Is a necromancer – This appears to be the same as one who consults familiar spirits. It stood out to me, however, when looking at the Hebrew, that this was seeking the dead as a part of worship (obviously in reference to idols or false gods).
Deut. 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Moses is emphatic in stating that all the practices listed in the preceding two verses are “an abomination unto the LORD”; He hates them. It is because of these very practices that the LORD is taking the land away from the nations currently in Canaan and giving it to Israel. Those who practice such things have rejected the one true God and have chosen to follow the “father of lies,” the devil.
John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Deut. 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
The Hebrew for the word perfect states “entire…complete…sincerely.” In other words, all the people of Israel are to follow YHWH, the God of Israel, completely and sincerely in rejection of the wicked practices of the heathen nations and how they worshipped their gods. I liked the way the CJB put it: You must be wholehearted with ADONAI your God.
Deut. 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
Moses emphasizes in this verse that the heathen nations whose lands they will possess in Canaan followed these very practices, summarized at this point with reference to observers of times and diviners. YHWH will not allow His people to do such things.
As I looked back over the list and thought about these summary categories, it stands out that the common purpose of these practices can be summed up in the desire to know secret things and foretell the future. As I thought about it, I realized that those who have no hope in the future through faith in YHWH can’t help but be fearful about the future and want to know what it holds. They are obsessed with learning “secret” things that might give them an advantage in this world or possibly allow them to extend their life and get access to another world of existence.
Deut. 18:15 ¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deut. 18:16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
At this point Moses prophesies of a coming Prophet in Israel, a Hebrew man like Moses. The implication seems to be that this Prophet, like Moses, will not fear to be in the presence of God and will enjoy personal fellowship with YHWH. None of the other prophets that served God in Israel were like Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:10 “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…”
Only Jesus, the Son of God, who came to earth as a man could be described in the same way. Many of those who saw and heard Jesus made the connection to this prophecy.
John 6:14 “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”
John 7:39-40 “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.”
Peter boldly declared that Jesus was this Prophet.
Acts 3:20-23 “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”
Deut. 18:17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
Deut. 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deut. 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
The LORD declares through Moses that it is good that they have a healthy fear of Him and would rather have a mediator between them and God. He is now declaring that He will again raise up another “Prophet” like Moses. This Prophet, like Moses, will be a man of Israel that will speak the words of YHWH according to God’s command. Those who choose to reject His message will suffer as declared by Peter—He will be destroyed from among the people.
The people of Israel have allowed this verse to become a stumblingblock to their faith by taking it out of context with the rest of scripture. They have been/are looking for a “man” like Moses, not the Son of God in flesh. Scripture is clear in stating that God would send His Son.
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Because they are looking for a “man,” they will believe the antichrist, the false Messiah, as prophesied by Jesus.
John 5:43 “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
This implies that the Antichrist will be Jewish.
Deut. 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Verses like this are confusing because our thinking is so narrow. This verse declares that false prophets will “die.” Throughout the centuries false prophets have come on the scene and often profited from their heretical teaching; they didn’t die—at least not right away. This is comparable to the narrative about Adam and Eve in which they were told that on the day they ate of the forbidden tree they would die. The Bible then goes on to record that they lived for hundreds of years. We know that God is true and His words truth. It becomes obvious that there is more than physical death being referenced here. Scripture is clear that there are two deaths confronting man.
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Physical death holds no fear for the man or woman who has placed their faith in God’s provision for their salvation. It is spiritual death, being separated from God forever, that is the second death, eternal death.
Psalm 37:9 “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”
Proverbs 11:7 “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.”
This truth is vividly pictured in Luke’s record of the rich man and Lazarus.
Luke 16:22-26 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”
Deut. 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deut. 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Moses then proceeds to give answer to the obvious question—How can you know that a prophet is not declaring God’s word? The answer—When the prophecy does not come to pass. This leaves no room for error, much to the chagrin of self-declared prophets today. There is no learning curve for a true prophet of God.
I couldn’t help but think back to chapter 13 regarding prophets that were luring the people to worship other gods using signs and wonders that did come to pass. The LORD declares that He allows that to prove the faith of His people. There is a key difference in the two scenarios though. The prophets being referenced in chapter 13 were trying to lure the people to false gods, while the prophets referenced in these verses in chapter 18 are declaring themselves as speaking for the one true God, YHWH. Interestingly enough, Satan has perfected his deception to the point that many today who present themselves as representing YHWH are actually representing false gods. It is crucial for the believer to be saturated in the Word of God and dependent on the leading of the Holy Spirit to be able to discern between true and false teaching.