Deuteronomy: At Journey's EndSample

Leadership, part 2

Priests, Levites and prophets

We need to think very carefully about ‘priests’ in the Old Testament. It is important to remember that they were an interim arrangement until such time as the Lord’s ideal could happen – a whole nation of priests (Ex. 19:4–6). This was fulfilled in the New Testament (1 Pet. 2:9). Consequently, in the New Testament the word ‘priest’ is only used in two ways: in the singular, it refers to the Lord Jesus Christ (see Heb. 6:20); and in the plural, to all Christian people; the priesthood of all believers (see Rev. 1:6; 5:10). There is no such thing in the New Testament Church (nor should there be in any church today) of a separate order of ‘priests’. Jesus is our great High Priest, and we are his under-priests, with access through him within ‘the curtain’ (Heb. 10:19–22); or, as Deuteronomy 18:5 says, ‘to stand and minister in the Lord’s name always’. 

While verses 1–8 speak to us mainly in terms of our privileged position, verses 9–14 speak in terms of direct warning and prohibition. Like today’s world with its horoscopes, the ancient world was full of claimants to foretell the future – by all sorts of means (see Ezek. 21:21), including communication with the dead (v. 11). The Lord calls both the practices (v. 9) and the practitioners (v. 12) ‘detestable’, and puts such exercises on the same level as the human sacrifice by fire of sons and daughters (v. 10). It is all a corrupt attempt to gain control of our future. Don’t do it! Rest content with the prophetic word of God (vv. 15–22). 

The question arises, however, of how we are to relate what is promised here (a great prophet, like Moses) with what actually happened (a whole line of prophets). Just put yourself in the position of an ancient Israelite, and all is clear: when a prophet arises you ask the question, ‘Is this the promised prophet like Moses?’ (see John 1:21). The same would happen in relation to the successive kings of David’s line: ‘Is this the promised Messianic King?’ The New Testament is the Old Testament brought to completion; Jesus is the desire of all nations and he has come.

Reflection

Rejoice in this great truth: 

‘Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne!’ 

(Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr., ‘Peace, perfect peace’)