Sunday 7th September
Read Deuteronomy 18:21-22
“You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?’ 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.” (NIVUK)
There is a thread of fear through the passage all the way to its conclusion. The people feared Yahweh before the mountain and asked for Moses to speak for Him. Yahweh said their fear was good and promised them guidance through a series of prophets. There is the righteous fear from obedience to the words of the prophets and the consequences of disobedience. Finally there is the fear of being misled. How can they tell if God is truly speaking through the prophet?
The tests, and there are tests, are to be undertaken patiently. Obviously it will take time for some words to be revealed as true, and some as false. There is wisdom required. Today we have the words of the prophets preserved for us – to help us test their truth. But there are many who claim they know God’s will and provide guidance for believers. And there are many decisions that the preserved words would know little about. So we are called to credulity – to not be gullible and believe everything that is said.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.” (1 John 4:1) (NIVUK)
