Turn to the True Prophet
Opening Prayer
Loving Lord, I come seeking You through Christ and Christ alone. You have revealed Yourself and I will bow to no other.
Read Deuteronomy 18:9-22
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Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“If you wish to attain the height of possessing Christ you must never seek him without the cross. Anybody who does not seek the cross of Christ is not seeking Christ’s glory” (John of the Cross).
Think Further
Why did God expel the Canaanites, giving their land to the Israelites? God’s reason was their “detestable practices” (12), including child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and spiritualism (10,11). These religious practices, even child sacrifice (2 Kings 3:26,27), aimed to secure divine guidance and help, but they were sinful, human attempts to reach the divine. They were repugnant to God because they ignored his revelation and crossed boundaries he had set. They stirred the pride of sinful human nature, exposing their practitioners to the deception of demonic forces. Through such devilish religious practices, the Canaanites dishonored the Creator.
It was important that the Israelites practiced religion in a radically different way. They were to obey God and be blameless before him (13). Instead of being misled by sorcerers and witches, they were to turn their ears to the true prophets of God. Moses was one such prophet (15). A true prophet is one in whose mouth God puts his words (18). What he prophesies will come true (22), but this is not the sole test. Even if his prophecies come true, if a prophet leads the people astray by pointing to other gods, then he is a false prophet (Deut. 13:1-3). Because of the great spiritual danger false prophets and sorcerers brought to the nation, they were to be “put to death” (20). Israel was warned that it would suffer the fate of the Canaanites if it repeated their practices.
God promised that he would raise up a true prophet, a Messianic figure (15). Scripture would later reveal him to be Jesus Christ (Acts 3:18-23). God would speak through him clearly and expect everyone to listen to him (15). He alone is the way to receive God’s help and guidance (John 14:6).
Apply
Have you employed any sinful methods to secure God’s help and guidance? How can you turn to Christ alone for security and satisfaction?
Closing prayer
True and Living God, life is in You alone. Every other way is bankrupt. Keep my eyes open to You and my heart desiring only You.
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