Moses begins by informing us that the entire tribe of Levi were to have no land portion as the other tribes of Israel, Deuteronomy 18:1, though they were given forty-eight towns throughout Canaan, Joshua 21:41-42.
They were appointed and set apart by God to work as the spiritual servants for the nation of Israel. The Levites are to live on the food offerings presented to God, for that is their inheritance, Deuteronomy 18:1.
They were given no portion of land because God Himself was to be their inheritance, Deuteronomy 18:2 / Numbers 18:20. Because the Levites had no land to cultivate for their food, their food was to come from the sacrifices that the people brought to God throughout the year, Deuteronomy 18:3.
The people of the other tribes were to pay ‘dues’ to the Levites in the form of parts of their sacrifices unto God, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14. The people were to sacrifice the unblemished firstborns of their flocks and give the Levites the shoulder, the internal organs and meat from the head, Deuteronomy 18:3.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The parts to be given to the priests were as follows.
1. The shoulder, probably cut off from the beast with the skin on; so Maimonides.
2. The two cheeks, which may include the whole head.
3. The maw, the whole of those intestines which are commonly used for food.’
The first fruits of their grain, oil, and wine were to be delivered to the Levites as well, Deuteronomy 18:4. The Levites were also to receive the first fleece of the people’s sheep that they may cloth and warm themselves, Deuteronomy 18:4. It was God who chose them and their descendants out of all their tribes to stand and minister in the LORD’s name always, Deuteronomy 18:5.
A similar portion was assigned to any Levite who chose to come and serve at the Lord’s altar, Deuteronomy 18:6-7. What was provided for him was beside what he might profit from the sale of his personal property, Deuteronomy 18:8 / 1 Corinthians 9:13.
He was thus not to support himself in his service at the Lord’s altar but was to partake of the offerings of the people, 1 Corinthians 9:8-18. The Levite priest who had been on a journey and returned to the temple to serve God is to be cared for like all other priests and Levites.
The reason for the journey seems to be that the priests have taken care of a death in the family and have received some form of inheritance, Leviticus 25:33-34.
Just because the priest received the inheritance didn’t mean that the people were to stop supporting him through their contributions. As the priest did his work, he was worthy of his hire.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘So we find that, though the Levites might have no part of the land by lot, yet they were permitted to make purchases of houses, goods, and cattle, yea, of fields also. See the case of Abiathar, 1 Kings 2:26, and of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 32:7-8.’
We must note that there is a difference here from the portions that were allotted in Leviticus 7:30-34. The reason for this is that, in view of Moses’ departure from Israel as the mediator between God and Israel, the original covenant mandates that were given at Mount Sinai, Exodus 19:16-19 / Exodus 20:19-21, are here updated for the people as they settle in the land.
Israel is reminded that they weren’t permitted to follow the Canaanite culture, Deuteronomy 18:9, which included the Canaanite religious practice of offering their children as a burnt offering, Deuteronomy 18:10 / Leviticus 18:21 / Leviticus 20:2 / Deuteronomy 12:29-31.
They were forbidden from conjuring up fictitious spirits through divination, Numbers 23:23, sorcery, interpreting omens, Leviticus 19:26, engaging in witchcraft, Exodus 7:11 / Leviticus 19:26, or casting spells, Numbers 23:23 / Psalm 58:4-5, or mediums or spiritists, Leviticus 19:31 / 2 Chronicles 33:6, or consulting the dead, Deuteronomy 18:10-11.
We must remember that anyone who practices these things, even today, will not inherit eternal life, Galatians 5:19-21 / Revelation 22:15. Notice the Lord says these things are ‘detestable to Him’, Deuteronomy 18:12, that is, He hates them, Deuteronomy 17:1-7. These things are against the sovereign will of God and challenge His Oneness.
God alone has power, and all else is of the evil one. It was because the Canaanites were involved in this kind of evil that He drove them out of Canaan, Deuteronomy 9:5.
Israel was to be blameless, or perfect as some translations render that word, Deuteronomy 18:13 / Genesis 17:1 / Job 1:1 / Matthew 5:48. In other words, Israel was to worship God alone and stay away from everything connected with idolatry.
Instead of listening to those who practice, divination, sorcery, etc, Deuteronomy 18:14, Israel were to listen to a prophet which God was going raise up from among themselves, Deuteronomy 18:15.
For this is what Israel asked of God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when they said, let us not hear the voice of God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die, Deuteronomy 18:16.
Moses speaks first of a succession of prophets who would be God’s spokesmen to His people. God did this throughout Israel’s history when they forsook the commandments of God, 1 Samuel 11:14-12:25 / 1 Kings 18:19-39.
In this context, however, we know that Moses also referred to the Prophet who would be God’s final prophet to His people, Deuteronomy 18:17-18 / Deuteronomy 34:10. This Prophet would be the Messiah of whom Moses was a type.
Schultz, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Jesus was like Moses in numerous ways. He was spared in infancy, Exodus 2 / Matthew 2:13-23. He renounced a royal court, Hebrews 11:24-27 / Philippians 2:5-8, had compassion for the people, Numbers 27:17 / Matthew 9:36, made intercession, Deuteronomy 9:18 / Hebrews 7:25, spoke with God face to face, Exodus 34:29-30 / 2 Corinthians 3:7, and was the mediator of a covenant, Deuteronomy 29:1 / Hebrews 8:6-7. The greatest revelation in the Old Testament era came through Moses. This revelation was only surpassed in the coming of Christ, who not only revealed God’s message but also provided salvation through His death.’
It’s because of these very verses that Israel looked for this unique Prophet throughout their history, John 1:19-24 / John 7:40. This Prophet was Jesus, the final prophet through whom God revealed His will to man, John 1:21 / John 1:25 / John 5:45-47 / Acts 3:22-23 / Acts 7:37 / Hebrews 1:3.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This prophet is the Lord Jesus, who was in the bosom of the Father, and who came to declare him to mankind. Every word spoken by him is a living infallible oracle from God himself and must be received and obeyed as such, on pain of the eternal displeasure of the Almighty, Deuteronomy 18:19 / Acts 3:22-23 / Deuteronomy 18:22.’
Israel is commanded to listen to this prophet as they did to Moses; however, those who refuse to hear the words of this prophet will be judged by the Lord, Deuteronomy 18:19. Israel wasn’t to follow these false prophets; they were to be put to death, Deuteronomy 18:20 / Deuteronomy 17:12.
The proof that someone was a false prophet was seen in the fact that what they prophesied didn’t come to pass. If we remember what Moses said earlier, if a prophet didn’t speak the truth, but tried to lead the people after false gods, then that prophet was truly false, Deuteronomy 13:1-5.