Deuteronomy 18

  • Deuteronomy 18:1-8 – Levite portion
    • The Levites would be supported by a portion of the offerings. This worked great as long as the people did what they were commanded.
  • Deuteronomy 18:9-19 – Who should Israel listen to?
    • They were to stay far away from witchcraft and sorcery.
    • Israel was to listen to the prophets to come.
    • See John 1:21. This is a reference to the Prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15.
    • John 7:40-43
    • Acts 3:19-26 – All the prophets looked forward to the coming of Jesus.
    • Moses’ words have now come true in Jesus.
    • Acts 7:35-53 – Stephen compares the Jews rejection of Moses to their rejection of Jesus.
    • Hebrews 1:1; 2:1-4
  • Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – The test of a prophet.

Deuteronomy 19

  • Deuteronomy 19:1-13 – Cities of refuge
    • God clearly considers motive. There is a difference between murder and manslaughter.
    • Numbers 9:10-13.
    • Note that these are matters of the heart. The Law of Moses was not merely a physical law. The heart mattered.
  • Deuteronomy 19:14-21 – Miscellaneous laws relating to honesty.
    • Quotes from America’s founding fathers:
      • “Public virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private Virtue.” – John Adams
      • “Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government” and “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people.” – George Washington
      • “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” – Benjamin Franklin
      • “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary] idea.” – James Madison
      • “No government can continue good but under the control of the people; and … their minds are to be informed by education what is right and what wrong; to be encouraged in habits of virtue and to be deterred from those of vice …” – Thomas Jefferson
      • “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue.” – Samuel Adams
      • “A vitiated [impure] state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom.” – Patrick Henry

Deuteronomy 20

  • “When you go out to battle …”
  • Deuteronomy 20:5-9 – Reasons for men to be excused from battle.
  • Deuteronomy 20:18 – They were going to battle to prevent the spread of idolatry.