Deuteronomy 18:9-14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:10

Verse 10 10.There shall not be found among you. This horrible and altogether monstrous infatuation, whereby the Gentiles had been possessed, afterwards invaded the Jews also, that they should immolate and even burn their children in honor of the gods to which they had devoted themselves; although it is probable that the greater part of them were not inflamed by such an excess of madness, but satisfied their superstition more easily, by merely making their children to pass through the fire. This... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:12

Verse 12 12.For all that do these things are an abomination. First, he would have the authority of God act as a rein to guide them; and then sets before them that vengeance which they were soon about to see inflicted upon the heathen, nay, of which they were themselves to be the executioners and ministers. For since it could not be a matter of the slightest doubt, but that the inhabitants of the land of Canaan were rooted out from their peaceful habitations only by God’s hand, he assigns as the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:13

Verse 13 13.Thou shalt be perfect. He refers to the mutual obligation of that holy covenant whereby as on the one side He had pledged Himself to the Jews, so on the other He had made them His debtors, not to prostitute themselves to idols, or to hanker after strange religions, whereby men’s minds are led astray. This perfectness, then, is opposed to all those mixtures or corruptions which withdraw us from the sincere worship of the one true God; because the simplicity which retains us in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:14

Verse 14 14.For these nations. As God had just before been setting before them the punishment He was about to inflict upon these nations, in order to alarm and warn them, so now does he admonish them that the inheritance was handed over to them on this condition, that they should be mindful of so great a benefit, and beware of all pollutions; and that they succeeded the former inhabitants of the land, with a view to their being separate from them; for whence was this change, except that God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9

The abominations of these nations ; i . e . certain forms of superstitious usage by which the heathen sought to procure the favor of their deities, to obtain from them direction and counsel, and to penetrate into the hidden future of events. Moses charges the people to avoid all such usages, and not even to learn to do after such abominations (cf. Le Deuteronomy 18:21 ; Numbers 23:23 ; Le 19:26, 31). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Spiritualism condemned. In the verses forming this paragraph, there are nine terms or phrases, each with its own special meaning, £ pointing to some pagan superstition, against which Moses is warning the people. The variety and number of such terms show us how great a bold a spurious "spiritualism" had upon the people. The phenomena connected therewith, however, present to us an aspect of history that is worthy of careful study. In some sort, the pagan customs of olden times connected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Divination forbidden. The process of divination, in its different forms here referred to—"divination," "observing the heavenly bodies," "enchantment," "witchcraft," "charming," "consultation of spirits," "sorcery," and "necromancy" was an effort to discover secrets by unwarrantable methods. It was man's longing for revelation undergoing degradation through the imaginations of men. It had been practiced by the predecessors in Canaan, and in consequence they were being cast out. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Magic. I. A STERN PROHIBITION OF CANAANITISH PRACTICES . The practice of magic is known to have been extensively developed in ancient Egypt and Chaldea. Numerous indications occur of its existence among the Canaanites ( e . g . 1 Samuel 28:7-10 ). The lower kinds of magic are of rank growth in all barbarous and semi-civilized communities. The priests combine the functions of diviners, prophets, exorcists, thaumaturgists, physicians, and makers of idols and amulets. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Gross superstition the alternative of true religion. The popular superstitions of every age are very seductive. Our only safeguard against them is complete loyalty to the living God. The indwelling Spirit is a Guide and a Defense. I. MAN GENERICALLY CRAVES TO UNRAVEL THE FUTURE . In every sane mind the inquiry arises, "What is beyond phenomena? What is to happen tomorrow?" The present enjoyment may satisfy animals; it does not satisfy man. He has a faculty that lives in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-22

Moses was not only the leader and ruler of the people, he was also the medium through which God communicated with the people, gave them his laws, and conveyed to them his word and will. In this respect his place could be supplied neither by priest nor by king. In the prospect of his demise, therefore, there required to be instituted another office, that of a prophet, one who should be between God and the people, as the channel through which Divine communications might pass to them. This office... read more

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