Deuteronomy Chapter 18
(Deuteronomy 18:1–2) – The inheritance of the Levites
“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. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.”
God established a unique calling for the Levites by withholding from them any territorial inheritance in the land of Canaan. Unlike the other tribes, they were not given large tracts of land to cultivate or pass on to future generations. Their calling was spiritual, not agricultural or political. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself. This meant their sustenance, security, and identity came not from land ownership, but from serving God and depending upon the offerings brought by the rest of Israel. The people would bring their sacrifices to the tabernacle, and from these sacrifices the priests and Levites would eat. This arrangement was not a limitation but a privilege, showing that God Himself would provide for those dedicated to His service.
Their dependence on the offerings also served as a constant reminder that ministry is supported by the worship and obedience of God’s people. In turn, this required the Levites to remain faithful in their duties, since their livelihood was tied to Israel’s faithfulness in bringing sacrifices. The Lord being their inheritance was both a blessing and a test of trust. They were called to live by faith, not by fields, trusting that God would move His people to provide for them as they faithfully ministered.
(Deuteronomy 18:3–5) – The portion due to the priests
“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. 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. 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.”
God did not leave the provision of the priests to guesswork or human generosity alone. He ordained specific portions that belonged to them by divine right. From every animal that was sacrificed—whether an ox or a sheep—the priest was given the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the maw (stomach or inner parts used in preparing certain portions). These were not optional gifts; they were commanded by God as the priest’s rightful due. The remainder of the animal would either be burned on the altar or return to the worshiper for a shared meal in God’s presence.
In addition to the meat, the priests were given the firstfruits of Israel's produce. This included the first of the grain harvest, new wine, olive oil, and even the first shearing of the sheep’s wool. These offerings communicated honor toward God by giving Him the first and best, and in doing so, provided for His ministers. God reminds Israel that the priests were chosen “to stand to minister in the name of the Lord.” Their role was sacred and perpetual, passed from father to son. They represented the people before God and God before the people.
This system reinforced several truths: that worship has material cost, that spiritual service is worthy of material support, and that those who serve at the altar should live of the altar. The provision was not an act of charity but obedience. God ensured that His ministers would not pursue wealth by fields, trade, or politics. Their hands and hearts were to remain devoted to His service, and He would supply their needs through His people.
(Deuteronomy 18:6–8) – Equal rights and provision for all Levites
“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; 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. They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.”
This passage establishes that every Levite across Israel—no matter where he lived—had the right to serve at the sanctuary if he came willingly and sincerely to the place God chose for worship. Many Levites lived in the assigned Levitical cities scattered throughout Israel, supported by the tithes of the people. However, not all served directly at the tabernacle (and later, the temple). God makes clear here that if a Levite desired with all his heart to leave his town and come to the central sanctuary to minister before the Lord, he was allowed to do so.
This prevented the priesthood and Levitical ministry from becoming a closed or elitist system. Service before the Lord was not restricted to certain privileged families or geographical groups within Levi. As long as he came willingly, and in obedience to God’s order, he was to be received and permitted to serve just as his brethren did.
“They shall have like portions to eat” emphasizes that all Levites who served at the sanctuary were to receive equal provision from the offerings. There was not to be favoritism or division based on seniority, location, or wealth. Each one who truly ministered before the Lord shared equally in the offerings given by God’s people. This promoted unity, humility, and fairness among those called to sacred service.
The phrase “beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony” refers to any personal property or possessions a Levite might have sold before coming to serve. Though Levites were not given land as an inheritance like the other tribes, some may have had houses, livestock, or personal belongings in the cities where they dwelled. If they sold these to come and serve at the sanctuary, this did not disqualify them from receiving their full portion from the offerings. God honors their sacrifice and removes any concern that their personal choice to serve Him more fully would leave them financially disadvantaged.
Key truths from this passage:
Ministry was open to all Levites who willingly desired to serve God’s presence.
God prevented the sanctuary service from becoming a closed-off religious elite.
All Levites who ministered before the Lord were to receive equal portions from the offerings.
Personal sacrifice or sale of goods did not exclude them from provision.
Their livelihood still came from the Lord through His people—not from land or inheritance.
(Deuteronomy 18:9–11) – The command to reject occult practices
“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. 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, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”
When Israel entered the Promised Land, they were not merely receiving territory — they were entering a land filled with pagan practices, demonic worship, and perverted spirituality. God commanded them not to “learn to do” according to those nations. They were not to study, imitate, or adopt the religious customs of the Canaanites. Curiosity about the occult is dangerous. What begins with learning often leads to practicing. God cuts it off at the root.
a. “Thou shalt not learn” — the danger of curiosity
God knows man’s fallen nature. People are often intrigued by what is hidden, mystical, or forbidden. Yet this curiosity is not innocent; it opens doors to deception and demonic influence. What God has not revealed is not meant to be sought elsewhere. Seeking spiritual knowledge apart from God’s Word is rebellion.
b. “Maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire” — child sacrifice to Molech
This refers to the horrific worship of the Canaanite god Molech. Children were burned alive on heated bronze altars. This was demonic worship — murder offered as sacrifice. God calls it an abomination. Israel was strictly forbidden to ever participate in, approve of, or tolerate such worship.
c. “Useth divination” — witchcraft and supernatural manipulation
Divination is an attempt to gain hidden knowledge or control outcomes by occult power. This includes witchcraft, spells, rituals, summoning spirits, or communicating with demons. God calls all of it sin. It is an attempt to bypass God’s sovereignty and obtain power through the kingdom of darkness.
d. “Observer of times” — astrology and omens
This speaks of those who attempt to read fate through stars, clouds, planetary signs, or seasons. Astrology is condemned. It places creation above the Creator and attributes power to stars rather than to God who made them. Modern horoscopes, zodiac signs, and natal charts are all rooted in this same forbidden practice.
e. “Enchanter” — interpreting omens, whispered spells, fortune-telling
This refers to those who mutter incantations, interpret signs, throw lots, or whisper spells in order to manipulate spiritual forces. These are psychics, tarot readers, omen interpreters, and all who claim hidden sight through unnatural means.
f. “Witch” — one who uses occult power, whether called white or black
Whether a person claims to be a “white witch” (claiming to use magic for good) or a “black witch,” the source is the same — demonic power. Modern Wicca, goddess worship, nature spirituality, and so-called “benevolent magic” are all rooted in rebellion against God. Scripture leaves no distinction. All witchcraft is condemned.
g. “Charmer” — casting spells or binding through incantations
This speaks of one who ties spells, speaks curses, or casts charms upon others. God permits only prayer and blessing through His name — never spells or mystical power.
h. “Consulter with familiar spirits” — mediums and channelers
These are individuals who communicate with spirits, often claiming to speak with the dead or deliver messages from beyond. Scripture is clear — these spirits are not dead humans but demons impersonating them.
i. “Wizard” — those who claim hidden, supernatural wisdom
Wizards are those who claim knowledge or power beyond the natural realm, often using rituals, potions, or demonic practices. This includes modern psychic healers, occult teachers, and those immersed in esoteric mysticism.
j. “Necromancer” — calling up the dead
Necromancy is contacting or summoning the dead. This includes séances, ghost summoning, and attempting to speak with departed souls. God forbids it entirely. It is deception and demonic.
(Deuteronomy 18:12–14) – Why occult practices must be rejected
“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. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. 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.”
God does not merely forbid occult practices because they are misguided or foolish. He condemns them because they are morally repulsive to Him—an abomination. These practices are not neutral; they are spiritually treasonous, opening doors to demonic influence and rejecting God’s authority. Because of such abominations, God was driving out the Canaanites. Israel was warned: if they imitated these sins, they would face the same judgment.
a. “For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord”
God’s language is absolute. Those who engage in witchcraft, divination, necromancy, astrology, or any occult act are an abomination—spiritually detestable in His sight. Such works are partnerships with darkness. They seek supernatural power or knowledge apart from God, which is rebellion at its core.
Our culture increasingly celebrates the occult—witchcraft in entertainment, tarot cards at bookstores, astrology on social media—while becoming hostile to biblical Christianity.
Yet God has not changed. What He condemned then, He condemns now.
A society that treats the occult as harmless or entertaining is a society losing spiritual discernment.
b. “Because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out”
The Canaanites were judged not only for immorality and idolatry, but especially for occult practices. Other nations were sexually immoral or greedy, but what marked Canaan for total judgment was its demonic religion—child sacrifice, witchcraft, necromancy, sorcery.
Israel would inherit their land only because God was judging them. If Israel adopted those same sins, they would lose the land in the same way. The standard of judgment is the same for all.
c. “Thou shalt be perfect (blameless) with the Lord thy God”
Israel was not just called to avoid evil—they were called to be blameless, set apart, spiritually pure. This meant no flirting with occult curiosity, no “experimenting,” no approving or entertaining these practices.
To be blameless means no tolerance for horoscopes, tarot cards, crystals, spell books, ghost hunting, or necromancy.
The Ephesian believers in the New Testament demonstrated this when they burned their occult books publicly (Acts 19:19–20). They did not sell them or keep them—they destroyed them.
d. “The Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do”
God makes a distinction between His people and the world. Pagans seek knowledge from spirits, stars, cards, or the dead. God’s people receive truth only from His Word and His prophets. He did not appoint astrology, mediums, or witches for His people—He appointed Scripture and true prophets.
(Deuteronomy 18:15–19) – The promise of a coming Prophet
“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; 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. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 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. 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.”
This passage is one of the clearest prophecies of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. Through Moses, God promises Israel that He Himself will raise up a Prophet—unique, authoritative, divine in message—who will resemble Moses in role and function. This is not referring to a line of prophets, but to one distinct Prophet. The New Testament confirms that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
a. “A Prophet… like unto me” — The Messiah would resemble Moses
Moses was not only a prophet; he was a mediator of the covenant, a deliverer of Israel, a lawgiver, and an intercessor between God and the people. No other prophet held this combination of roles—except Christ. Jesus, like Moses:
Was spared from a murderous king in infancy (Pharaoh / Herod).
Left a royal position to identify with His people (Pharaoh’s palace / the throne of Heaven).
Delivered God’s people from bondage (Egyptian slavery / slavery to sin).
Mediated a covenant between God and man (Law of Sinai / New Covenant in His blood).
Spoke to God face-to-face.
Performed miracles to confirm His commission.
b. “From the midst of thee… of thy brethren” — He would be truly human and truly Jewish
The future Prophet would come from within Israel, not from angels or foreign nations. This points directly to the incarnation—God the Son taking on true humanity through the line of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah, born of a virgin in Bethlehem.
c. “Unto him ye shall hearken” — Israel is commanded to listen
God gave a direct command: this Prophet must be heard. To reject His words is to reject God Himself. At the Mount of Transfiguration, God repeated this command about Jesus:
“This is my beloved Son… hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5)
d. “According to all that thou desiredst… in Horeb” — He would be a mediator
At Mount Horeb (Sinai), the people trembled at God’s voice and begged Moses to speak in God’s place. They wanted a mediator. God agreed and promised a greater Mediator to come—one who would perfectly represent God to man and man before God. Jesus is that Mediator:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
e. “I will put my words in his mouth” — He speaks the very Word of God
This Prophet would not merely speak about God, but would speak as God. Jesus declared:
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say.” (John 12:49)
f. “Whosoever will not hearken… I will require it of him” — rejection brings judgment
This is not optional. To refuse the words of this Prophet is to face divine accountability. Rejecting Christ brings eternal judgment. Belief or disbelief in Him is the dividing line between salvation and condemnation (John 3:18, 36).
g. Fulfillment in Jesus Christ
The Jews in Jesus’ day expected this very Prophet (John 6:14; 7:40). Some thought John the Baptist might be him (John 1:21). But the New Testament is explicit—Jesus is the Prophet Moses foretold:
Acts 3:22–23
Acts 7:37
Christ is greater than Moses:
Moses gave the Law; Christ fulfilled it.
Moses delivered from Egypt; Christ delivers from sin and death.
Moses offered the blood of animals; Christ offered His own blood.
Moses spoke of a coming Prophet; Christ is that Prophet.
(Deuteronomy 18:20–22) – God’s standard for prophets and the penalty for false prophecy
“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. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 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.”
God gave Israel a true Prophet to come (Christ), but He also warned them about false prophets. Because prophets claimed to speak on behalf of the Lord, the danger of deception was great. Therefore, God established a strict standard: anyone who claimed to speak in God’s name—yet spoke lies, presumptions, or led people to other gods—was to be put to death.
a. “The prophet which shall presume to speak a word in My name” — the danger of presumption
Presumption is speaking for God when God has not spoken. It is claiming “Thus saith the Lord” when the Lord has said nothing. This is not a small error—it is spiritual fraud. It misrepresents God’s character, His will, and His Word.
Thompson writes: “The true prophet spoke for God; the false prophet spoke presumptuously—his own opinion—with no backing from Yahweh.”
This is why believers must be extremely cautious about saying “God told me…” unless they are certain it aligns with Scripture and truth.
b. “Which I have not commanded him to speak” — sometimes God speaks privately, not publicly
Even if someone genuinely senses something from the Lord, it does not always mean God has commanded that word to be preached or shared. Revelation from God never gives permission to replace or override God’s Word. No personal impression is equal to Scripture.
c. “Or that shall speak in the name of other gods” — obvious false prophets
Anyone who speaks in the name of Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, or any other deity is immediately condemned. But God’s warning goes further—it includes those who falsely speak in His own Name.
d. “That prophet shall die” — the seriousness of spiritual deception
Under the Old Covenant, the penalty was death. Why? Because a false prophet leads souls away from God, corrupts worship, and spreads spiritual poison. This was treason against the King of Heaven.
Today, though we do not execute false prophets under civil law, the standard for truth remains. We must refuse to honor, platform, or legitimize those who speak falsely in God’s Name.
e. “How shall we know?” — God gives a test of accuracy
Israel was not left in confusion. God gave a clear test: if a prophecy does not come to pass exactly as spoken, it is not from God. No partial fulfillment. No excuses. No “spiritual interpretation later.” If it fails, it was false.
f. “Thou shalt not be afraid of him” — do not fear or follow false prophets
Once exposed by failure, a prophet is to be completely disregarded. They are not to be feared, followed, or revered. Their voice is not authoritative.
Applications and Warnings for Today
In recent years, many have claimed prophetic words about elections, revivals, dates, blessings, disasters—and when their words failed, they excused it as “learning,” “immaturity,” or “under grace.”
But God never lowered His standard. If prophets were held accountable under the Old Covenant, we—who have the full Scripture and the Holy Spirit—should hold to an even higher reverence for truth.
The New Testament gives this command: “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)
And “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)
