Occult Practices verses Prophetic Revelation

When God divided the Promised Land among the 12 tribes, the Levites did not receive a portion of land. Instead, 48 cities were set aside for them (Numbers 35:1-8). The Lord was their inheritance. The Israelites were to support the Levites as they served the Lord. The Levites carried out tasks related to the temple, but they also taught the Law of God and instructed the Israelites concerning the will of God. The Levites were the usual means by which God communicated His Word and His will to men. Only the descendants of Aaron were permitted to serve as priests (Numbers 3:10), and the rest of the tribe was to serve as ministers to the priests (Numbers 18:1-7). Priests were a minority in the tribe of Levi. To have their physical needs met the priests and Levites received food from the offerings and sacrifices that were brought to the Lord. Also, the priests were allowed to visit in the homes of Israelites who did not live near God’s chosen place of worship. When they visited in a home, they were to expect food and provisions for their need (vv. 6-8).

Next, this chapter lists the illicit sources of “spiritual mediation” which the Israelites were forbidden to employ (vv. 9-14). It prophesies the coming of the greatest Prophet of all time, the Lord Jesus Christ, the “Prophet like Moses” (vv. 15-19). Our task is to focus on the light, and not concentrate on the darkness. God had more than adequately provided for the instruction and the guidance of His people through His true prophets (like Abraham and Moses). Israel did not need to turn elsewhere for divine guidance. Men turn to illegitimate sources of guidance because they have rejected God. In the last half of this chapter Moses contrasts between the false prophet and the prophet of God (vv. 18-22). He says there are two tests that you can use to determine whether a prophet was speaking God words: The prophet’s message had to be in accordance with God and His Word (vv. 18-19) and His prophecy must come true (vv. 20-22).