Verse 9-13 reminds Israel not to imitate the detestable ways of the other nations and these verses are sandwiched between the roles of a priest (v1-8) and a prophet (v15-22). The priest ministers by bringing people to worship God through their sacrifices. The prophet ministers by bringing the Word of God to the people. Both the priest and the prophet served to point the people to God and they were given by God to safeguard the people of Israel from being corrupted by the nations in the promised land.

As Israel was about to enter into Canaan, Moses reminded the people not to follow after the detestable ways of those who resided in the promise land. These nations did not know God, and they were dabbling in “spiritual” matters like divination or sorcery, interpreting omens and witchcraft. It came to the point where they were sacrificing their children to the false gods and indulging in sexual promiscuity through the temple prophetess or prostitutes. They were sick misrepresentation and distortion of what true worship was meant to be and the results of such perverse acts would ultimately cause the civilisation to fall into disarray.

God did not permit the people of Israel to have anything to do with such practises, and He warned them that those who do these detestable acts in the sight of God would be destroyed. This was to safeguard His people and to allow Israel to remain pure and blameless before Him. God sent them His prophets to declare His law so that the people can live within the protection of His grace. God said to Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” (v18)

They will be extraordinary ministers, to reprove them for their faults, remind them of their duty, and foretell things to come, judgments for warning and deliverances for their comfort. With these prophets, there is no need for sorcery or divination, for the Lord Himself, will speak through the prophet to them. There will be no excuse for them to turn away from Him, or have differing perspectives because the prophet brings forth God’s Word to them.

Of course God’s promise to Moses was fulfilled when Christ came to become the ultimate prophet. He did not only brings the word of God but He became the Word. John 1:1 tells us that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is the Word revealed to us in flesh. When the people saw the sign that Jesus had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” (John 6:14）

Dear brothers and sisters, since God has raised for us Christ as the ultimate prophet, we must listen to in whatever He tells us (Acts 3:22). His words of reprove, his promises of deliverance and comfort, and most importantly his claim of the way to salvation. Jesus tells us that He is the way, truth and life, nobody goes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) He turns us away from our sinful nature and detestable acts, so that we can walk in the truth that brings us true life. Christ calls us to centre our lives around Him in whatever we do and also to call others to centre their lives around Him, so that we can live a life that is truly pleasing to Him and one filled with blessings.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I declare that you are not simply one of the prophets that came to point us to life, but you are THE ultimate prophet that bring us life itself. Help me to live my life in obedience to Your Words, and centre my entire being towards you. In Jesus name, amen.