Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 18, Ephesians 3

DateVersionReading Plan
June 20, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Deuteronomy 18

Observation & Interpretation

Deut. 18:3 – The priests’ due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, was the shoulder, the two cheeks and the stomach

Deut. 18:6-7 – “Should a Levite decide to leave his own town, one of forty-eight set aside for Levites (cp. v. 1), he could go to the place the LORD chooses—the central sanctuary (12:5).” (CSB Notes)

Deut. 9-14 – “The Israelites were forbidden to have any contact with anyone who claimed to communicate with the unseen world. Eight means of communication with the spirit world are given. They are called abominations by God.” (BBC). The BBC lists the eight means as:

  1. One who practices witchcraft (a witch or a warlock)
  2. A soothsayer (a seer; a false prophet)
  3. One who interprets omens (a palm-reader; a fortune-teller; an astrologer)
  4. A sorcerer (a witchdoctor)
  5. One who conjures spells (a wizard)
  6. A medium (spirit medium)
  7. A spiritist (a séance leader)
  8. One who calls up the dead (a necromancer)

Deut. 18:20 – Prophets who presumed to speak in the LORD’s name or spoke in the name of other gods shall die

Deut. 18:15 – The Prophet to be raised has a capital “P” in the NKJV. The BBC points out that “verse 15 presents a beautiful prophecy about Christ, the true Prophet of God (Acts 3:22, 23).”

Deut. 18:22 – When a prophet spoke in the name of the LORD but it did not come to pass, it was a word that the LORD had not spoken; it was spoken presumptuously and the people need not be afraid of him. The BBC makes note that, “False prophets could be detected in various ways.” and that “We have previously learned that they were false if they sought to lead the people away from the worship of the true God (13:1–5).”

Application

False prophets continue to be an issue today, prompting our need to be incessantly grounded in the Word of God. Whether what they say comes to pass but aims at drawing others away from the LORD or it does not come to pass at all, we must not abide in falsehood they espouse. Nor should believers fear such individuals because, adhering instead to the truth that is in Christ Jesus. We rest in Christ alone who is the ultimate Prophet, for all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.

Ephesians 3

Observation & Interpretation

Eph. 3:5 – The mystery of Christ was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it was revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit

Eph. 3:6 – Paul explains the mystery, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel

Eph. 3:7 – The NKJV adds the qualifier “effective” to “the working of His power” (referring to God’s power)

Eph. 3:8-9 – Paul refers to himself as the least of all the saints, explaining that the grace was given him to preach to the Gentiles, bringing to light the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things

Eph. 3:10 – God’s intent was that through the church, his multifaceted wisdom should be made known

Application

Paul’s humility and devotion to speak the message of the revealed mystery of God to the Gentiles is one that should enflame a missional passion for all believers. The message is the same for us as it was for Paul and we are commissioned to its heralds. In faithful response to the transformative work of the Spirit in our hearts to be given eyes to see, we are commissioned to bring to light the plan of this mystery of the ages. May we then go forth in joyful proclamation of the unsearchable riches of Christ, that we may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit by which we can be armored against the false prophets of this world. Father, help me to remain close to You and to the truth that is Your Son. Father, help me by Your Spirit to be faithful and steadfast in sharing the hope of the gospel that is in Christ Jesus.

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