Epiphany 4: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:15-20        

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

I LOVE THIS TEXT. In the early days of my walk with Christ, I “cut my teeth” listening to the original “Bible Answer Man,” Dr. Walter Martin. Dr. Martin, an apologist and expert on comparative religions, had a daily radio program where people could call in and ask him questions about defending the faith, engaging in discussion with non-believers and learning the basics of other faith traditions (World Religions and Non-Christian Cults). 

One of the hallmarks when dealing with any non-Christian religion is learning to deal with their truth claims. By the way, we should ALL be able to stand and defend biblically the truth claims of our own belief system. But most groups outside of Christianity have a founder or primary “voice” that makes claims about beliefs. Jesus and Paul and even Moses would refer to these errant voices as “false prophets.” And our own founder, Dr. Martin Luther, called those who followed Christ to being valiant for both understanding and defending the truths of Holy Scripture. Luther warned his disciples over and over about false prophets and the dangers of false doctrine.

Our reading today brings us into a portion of one of the many addresses that Moses gave to the covenant community of Israel. And this passage in particular is a strident warning against falling into the error of spiritual deception. So what is our great defense? God’s voice. God’s words. The sure testimony of what a living, holy and truth-telling God would speak to His own children. We have that sure word in Holy Scripture. And this is not only our defense, but our vocation and our safety.

In this short passage God makes reference over a dozen times to His Word, a true Prophet, words, hearkening, etc. God is preparing His people knowing that one of the great weapons of the enemy of God’s children is deception. Verse 15 begins a prophecy that guarantees that God will ultimately care for His children by the gift of a Prophet like Moses, but better. And the charge to those who hear His voice? “Unto Him shall ye hearken” (I like the KJV there). Centuries later on a mountain where the Savior is revealed in full splendor, Luke records the voice of the Heavenly Father declaring, “This is my beloved Son, hear Him” (Luke 9:35). Clues are meant to be caught, and the Father served up a great one. “To Him shall ye hearken,” and “hear Him.” The lover of the Word of God would understand.

God’s sure counsel, God’s inviolate truth comes as He speaks words to us. It’s not in “holy shivers,” or what I feel or what I think God says to me. No! It is in His Word that I find His promises and presence. He calls, guards, guides and protects His own by the words He speaks. Are we listening?