March 7, 2021
Devotional Reading: Psalm 77:11-20
Background Scripture: Exodus 12:28-50; Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 18:15
Introduction
Our background scripture comes from Exodus and Deuteronomy. Point of focus: Exodus – story of redemption when God rescues Hs people from bondage in Egypt and delivers the Ten Commandments by way of Moses. Deuteronomy – the same rules that applied to the previous generation, applies to the next generation, another prophet will be selected by God, let us begin our journey.
I. Authority (Deuteronomy 18:15-18)
Verses 15-18 informs us that God will raise up a prophet from within (midst of the people) and he will be like Moses in some respects, he will have authority which means the people will need to listen to him and obey. It should be noted, legitimate prophets spoke only what was instructed by God, they spoke God’s word boldly, without fear of harm to themselves.
II. Accountability (Deuteronomy 18:19-22)
Verses 19-22 commands attention (hear) and obedience to God’s word. The price for rejecting God’s word has a great penalty and those people will be called to account for their disobedience (rejection). Prophets who presume to speak a word in God’s name but not commanded by God to do so are false prophets.
Moses gave the people two examples to test if a prophet was legit: Content of the prophet’s message matching the nature of their character and speaking in the name of other gods. Simply put, the character of a prophet must match/align with what God has revealed as being good for His people (content of character matches content of the message).
Secondly, an alleged prophet’s ability to perform impressive signs or wonders. The people were instructed to reject such prophet if those signs/wonders were accompanied by encouragement to worship other gods. Moses warned the people of Israel to pay close attention to what they were told by other people. Utilize the test measures given (when necessary), be diligent, watchful, and listen to know when to discern whether alleged prophets was telling them the truth. God’s desire was for His people to become spiritually mature.
Conclusion
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
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.
Deuteronomy 18:20
Be Blessed,
Sis. Mary Turner