Sermon Central
Deuteronomy 18
Gifts for the Priests and Levites 1“Remember that the Levitical priests—that is, the whole of the tribe of Levi—will receive no allotment of land among the other tribes in Israel. Instead, the priests and Levites will eat from the special gifts given to the LORD, for that is their share. 2They will have no land of their own among the Israelites. The LORD himself is their special possession, just as he promised them.
3“These are the parts the priests may claim as their share from the cattle, sheep, and goats that the people bring as offerings: the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach. 4You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time. 5For the LORD your God chose the tribe of Levi out of all your tribes to minister in the LORD’s name forever.
6“Suppose a Levite chooses to move from his town in Israel, wherever he is living, to the place the LORD chooses for worship. 7He may minister there in the name of the LORD his God, just like all his fellow Levites who are serving the LORD there. 8He may eat his share of the sacrifices and offerings, even if he also receives support from his family.
A Call to Holy Living
9“When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.
10For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering.
True and False Prophets
15Moses continued, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
16For this is what you yourselves requested of the LORD your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai.
17“Then the LORD said to me, ‘What they have said is right. 18I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. 19I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. 20But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’
21“But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?’ 22If the prophet speaks in the LORD’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.