Deuteronomy 18 PROVISION, PRACTICES, PROPHETS Not everything we read in one place in the Bible seems to have a connection with the subjects described in the same chapter. There is nothing disjointed about the way the word of God is written, but the underlying issues often are deeper in scope that can be seen by casual reading. The work of service in the kingdom of God by those who have been called by God to serve Him and His people full time, is not compensated for by man-made salaries. That would demean the work of God by placing it on the same level as the work we do for men. Service for God in a full-time way is compensated for by God through the offerings of His people. Priests and Levites were cared for by having a portion of the offerings and sacrifices the people brought to God in the place of His choosing. If there were only a few offerings, the portion of those serving was small. If there were many offerings, the portion of priests and Levites would be larger. The responsibility of the Levites was to teach God's truth by word and example. If they gave much in the service of God, their part would be much. If they gave little of themselves in the care of the house of God, service for the people of God, and the overall interests of God on behalf of the nation, they would receive little. "God is no man's debtor."
That principle is similar to the way full time servants who are called to spend all their time are able to have their needs met today. It is true that all of God's people are servants, but not all in the same way. We are told, "Whatever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Some no person's labor is lacking the intended reward if the objective is to honor the Lord. However, there are those who have been called to give all of their time directly involved in the work of the kingdom of God. Their compensation is unsolicited, but is in proportion to the labor they expend and the legitimate needs they have. God knows what we need and He knows best how to supply that need.
When an evangelist goes forth to evangelize, there are costs associated with his work that are different than those of a teacher whose calling is with the people of God in the local assemblies. The needs are not determined by a designated amount determined by the hours of labor, but by God Himself. He knows the needs before they ever arise. The faithful servant presses forward in his calling under the direction of the Holy Spirit and trusts God to meet the needs of whatever nature they are. If there aren't sufficient funds to meet the obligations, then that work needs to be reevaluated by the laborer to see where he needs to make changes. We are not to "muzzle the ox" that treadeth out the corn. Those who are involved in the service of God teach as much by their example of giving as by their words. The giving of time, talent and goods are all part of this work.
Connected with the example of faith in this chapter when it comes to meeting needs, is the example of doubt. Doubt and deception often go together and are used to full advantage by the master-deceiver, Satan. His deception is not only to take control of the attitudes and activities of skeptics and those who find decision making hard, but to take control of the coming generation of children. Child-sacrifices were made by people living in the land God promised Israel. Copying those people was a danger to the people of God. Because subtle explanations of events are made by knowledgeable people, the simple, common, ordinary person can be manipulated into accepting their predictions. Horoscopes, tarot cards and other forms of occultism can be used to convince doubters that these practices are legitimate methods of gaining insight into areas of the unknown. Childhood games can be obtained that fascinate children and lead them farther and farther into darkness. Mysterious and unexplainable happenings are used by people under Satan's control to turn people away from faith in God and His word. People say, "I don't know how or why this phenomenon happens, but it does, and it actually works, so that is good enough for me." Anything like that is not of God.
Such dangers are around us all the time and can be found on the internet and are even incorporated into computer games that children play. Television programs and movies that deal with the occult are very popular among many young people. Satan doesn't change tactics that have worked in the past to produce his nefarious designs. He is still the master of deception. He still takes advantage of those who are discontented. He still seeks to distort the truth and ultimately damn the souls of those who follow his manipulative practices. There is only one way to deal with those dark things. If you have been involved with them, burn them, throw them away, put them away completely. "Touch not the unclean thing." Refuse to listen to or participate in anything that is mysterious and unexplainable. The scriptures of truth are able to be understood by those who read them. The word of God hidden in the heart will keep God's people from sinning against God. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw night to God and He will draw nigh to you."
God's holy Word is all we need as the source of our instruction as to what is right and wrong. The abominable practices of the occult will not have an attraction to those who know and practice biblical teaching. All of the areas of life, including doubts are addresses in the scriptures. God expects us to "search the scriptures" in order to walk in the light and have no fellowship with those who walk in darkness.
The light of truth has great impact for good on those who believe God. Righteousness of life is consistent with those who "walk in the light as He is in the light." Stephen in the book of Acts chapters 6 and 7 is an example of one who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Even as he spoke publicly, he told of the Prophet mentioned here in this chapter who Moses said would come. Stephen identified that Prophet as the Lord Jesus Christ. His words are always truth. His doctrine is always right. The prophecies He makes will all come to pass - all of them, without exception. Those predictions in the scriptures that were given have been 100% fulfilled as to the time and activities that were foretold. Things that describe our present day were prophesied nearly 2000 years ago. Prophecies that relate to the future can be trusted because we know the truth of the ones already fulfilled.
The prophecies of true prophets happen even as they were predicted. Right from the one God made concerning "the seed of the woman" when He made the serpent to crawl in the dust, to the ones concerning the nation of Israel in their past, present and future - are true because they have happened and are happening. False prophets have said things, set dates about coming events and made unusual statements that do not come to pass as they said. Sometimes they will try to manipulate people by saying their statements have been partly fulfilled and the rest will come later. False prophets are exposed by their false predictions, and do not deserve our attention. Practices that are attractive because they are mysterious and unexplainable are from Satan. The people of God who serve Him will be cared for by those who accept the responsibility given to them by God.