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Don't Do Disgusting Things
Moses said to Israel:
9Soon you will go into the land that the Lord your God is giving you. The nations that live there do things that are disgusting to the Lord, and you must not follow their example. 10-11 Don't sacrifice your son or daughter. And don't try to use any kind of magic or witchcraft to tell fortunes or to cast spells or to talk with spirits of the dead.
12The Lord is disgusted with anyone who does these things, and that's why he will help you destroy the nations that are in the land. 13 Never be guilty of doing any of these disgusting things!
A Prophet like Moses
Moses said to Israel:
14You will go in and take the land from nations that practice magic and witchcraft. But the Lord your God won't allow you to do those things. 15 Instead, he will choose one of your own people to be a prophet just like me, and you must do what that prophet says. 16You were asking for a prophet the day you were gathered at Mount Sinai and said to the Lord, “Please don't let us hear your voice or see this terrible fire again—if we do, we will die!”
17Then the Lord told me:
Moses, they have said the right thing. 18So when I want to speak to them, I will choose one of them to be a prophet like you. I will give my message to that prophet, who will tell the people exactly what I have said. 19 Since the message comes from me, anyone who doesn't obey the message will have to answer to me.
20But if I haven't spoken, and a prophet claims to have a message from me, you must kill that prophet, and you must also kill any prophet who claims to have a message from another god.
Moses said to Israel:
21You may be asking yourselves, “How can we tell if a prophet's message really comes from the Lord?” 22You will know, because if the Lord says something will happen, it will happen. And if it doesn't, you will know that the prophet was falsely claiming to speak for the Lord. Don't be afraid of any prophet whose message doesn't come from the Lord.
Reflect
The Lord has set out to call a people to himself. From the beginning, God has been seeking relationship with a people that would want relationship with him. Ultimately this invitation comes to us, to embrace this relationship, this privilege of becoming the people of God.
Through Moses, the Lord gives instructions for how his people will be distinguished from the nations. Deuteronomy is a summary of how to pursue God and his character in the way that will bring life.
When the people tasted of the majesty and power of God (Deut 5:24) they chose Moses to be their mediator between God and themselves. They wanted Moses to be the person who would stand between them and God. This becomes a picture of what Jesus would be for us.
In this passage, Jesus is pointed to as the ‘coming prophet’ who would mediate, showing us God and teaching us about life. God revealed himself in the life and work of Jesus. Like Moses, Jesus would instruct us on how we can find life and know God.
Many prophets would come between the time of Moses and the coming of Jesus. The evidence of their authority would be what happens to their words. Jesus says “destroy this temple,” (referring to his body) “and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19-21), and his words come true. Jesus takes great care to predict his death (Matthew 16:21) and each of these words come true, demonstrating that he was indeed this prophet promised by God. He is the fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy, this prophet promised of old (John 1:45 and John 5:46).
Respond
Father, thank you for calling out a people to be your special possession. Thank you for Moses and the ministry of Jesus to show us yourself and point us to life. We want to be your people, to follow you, and accomplish your purpose. We choose life.
Dwayne Uglem
Dwayne and his wife, Janell, have made Caronport their home for the past 26 years. The Lord has blessed them with four daughters: Amy married to Caleb and their first grandchild, Hudson; Victoria; Carlie; and Lindsey. Dwayne's 26 years on staff at Briercrest College and Seminary has included a variety of administrative roles: Registrar, Associate Dean, VP Research and Planning, VP Finance and Operations, and VP Education. After a year serving as interim president, Dwayne was appointed president in July 2005. A graduate of Briercrest College and Seminary, Dwayne completed his Ed.D. with Nova Southeastern University. A love for numbers, research, and organizational culture have lead Dwayne into teaching areas that focus on organizational learning and planning, research, and assessment strategies. Dwayne thoroughly enjoys gardening, teaching the Bible, cooking, history, and mechanical work.