Don’t Change God’s Word

Series: Life Group Unit 1 Lesson 8

Deuteronomy 18:9-22

Thesis: The Bible is the only inspired revelation of God.

Introduction

What is tolerance? What are some things you have to tolerate at work? At home?

Tolerance - sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own (Merriam-Webster)

By the world’s standard, tolerance is really acceptance (Accept - to give admittance or approval to [Merriam-Webster])

“This is not an accurate understanding of tolerance, but a twisted view that comes from the post- modern mindset where people can construct their own truth. Real tolerance involves understanding the positions of others, knowing why you disagree, living alongside them, and confronting their false ideas with biblical truth (lesson notes)”

Background

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8. The Instruments of Theocracy (16:18–18:22)

The preceding sections (12:1–16:17) were mainly concerned with laws related to the worship of the Lord by His people. This section (16:18–18:22) deals with the responsibilities of the officials to maintain pure worship within the Promised Land and to administer justice impartially.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary c. The Priests and Levites (18:1–8)

The tribe of Levi was divided into three families (Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites). Each division originally had different responsibilities regarding the tabernacle (

The Bible Knowledge Commentary c. The Priests and Levites (18:1–8)

Only the descendants of Aaron were permitted to serve as priests (

In the first 8 verses, God is teaching the Levites of their inheritance, which is not like the rest of the tribes, they have no “portion or inheritance,” they have the LORD as their inheritance (v. 2).

v. 9-12

Learn - exercise

Detestable - abomination

Pass through the fire - human sacrifices, mainly infants

Divination - predict; consult an oracle or spirit of the dead; give false prophecy

Witchcraft - soothsayer; one who interprets signs

Medium, spiritist, one who calls up the dead

Interprets omens - to practice enchantment, use sorcery; predict the future

One who calls up the dead

Sorcerer - one who uses magical spells

Casts a spell

Spiritualist - one who supposedly talks to the dead but really talks to demons

Beginning of v. 12, “whoever… is detestable to the LORD”

The practice of these things is not only what is detestable, but the one who practices becomes detestable. Its almost like this idea of corruption from the practice of these things (the nations around them practiced these things)

Do we still practice these things? What makes something detestable, an abomination?

It corrupts God’s creation itself or God’s order of creation…

We may not “cast spells” or consult mediums, but we do allow society around us to effect us… (what God told Israel not to do echoes in the modern world today… we shall not “imitate…”)

What does this mean for me? What does this have to do with the changing of God’s word?

If we allow these things to persist, as in the world’s definition of “tolerance” or “acceptance,” without sharing what God’s word really says about it, then we are letting the world effect us with its version of truth, and in turn we let God’s word have less of a hold on our lives.

How do we not tolerate while still showing love?

1 Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

We don’t have to be annoying about God’s word being the only truth, knowing that there is a time and a place for everything, but we do have to be consistent in our practice of it, showing and sharing with those around us that God’s word is still the truth no matter the thoughts and practices of the world.

v. 13-17

We see here that God calls them to something greater than the things of this world (“blameless”)

Blameless - complete; perfect; having integrity

Dispossess - take possession of

God is going to give them possession over these nations (drive them out)

God will not allow them to participate in these acts

Notice the phrase before it, “listen (to hear and understand; to be cared for) to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners”

What do you think that means?

I’m not fully sure what this means, but I think what it could mean is that Israel is to pay attention to what is going on around them so that they do not fall victim to it and participate, but maybe still with care for the people…

“prophet like me”

The following prophets that come from God will only speak His word that will be complete truth and without contradiction to previous prophets

Who is the prophet like Moses?

Jesus

What does this mean for me? What does this have to do with changing God’s word?

God calls us to a blameless life just like Israel, staying away from the things of this world while also paying attention to them so as not to fall into sins’ traps, all while caring for the people who are currently caught in them…

If we follow what God’s word says, we will not change it… (Jesus as the “prophet like Moses” - not only does He speak truth, He is truth John 14:6)

v. 18-22

Moses continues with further explanation of the prophet like him and false prophets

v. 19

Those who do not obey will be required to answer for why they didn’t

v. 20

Presumptuously - to act proudly or rebelliously

If a prophet speaks this way, he is a false prophet and he will die…

Is this justified? Why?

Revelation 22:18–19 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”

Matthew 18:6 “but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

It is justified because they are leading people away from salvation…

How do we know what is God’s word in relation to false prophets or prophecies?

What is spoken will happen; it will not contradict other Scripture or prophecy

Acts 5:38 ““So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;”

Peter and the apostles were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, and Gamaliel, a member of the counsel, made this statement about whether what they speak is from God or not

What does this mean for me? What does this have to do with changing God’s word?

We have all the tools we need to know what is and isn’t God’s word, and have a responsibility to uphold it no matter the context (job, home, family, etc.)

When we do not remain consistent with God, our views can become tainted and we can compromise God’s word, listening to the wrong things that are really of this world and not of God…