The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 317

(e.g. 1 S:rn1. xxYiii. 7-10). The lower kinds of m:tgic :tre of rnnk growth in all harbarous and semi-civilized communities. The priests combine the functions oi' diYiners, prophets, exorcists, t.baum:tturgists, physicians, and m:tkers of idols and amulets, The m:tgic of the ancients wad distinguished as good or bad, accord- ing as it was exercised to conjure diseases and to combat demoniacal influences, nr was abased to work liarm. This last, which was avowedly diabolic0.li11 its character, was what was properly called "sorcery," and was universally regarded with horror. The note"·ortby fact, however, is that the books of Moses make no distinction as to kind, but forbid absolutely the practice of every species of magical art. Moses recog- nizes no magic t.hat is good; he classes all under the same category of" abominations." The text is in principle a prohibition of the use of all such arts, whether the pretender to magical power believes in its efficacy or not. It prohibits, further, resort to such as profess these arts. The "spiritualistic" clelusions of our time in all their varieties ( spirit mediums, rnppings, plancbet.tes, etc.), with "fortune-telling," and superstitious practices supposed to bring good or to avert evil" luck," are condemned by the passage. II. A REASON FOR THIS PROHIBITION. 1. The nature of the practices as " abomina- tions." They were: (1) Irrational. (2) Evil. Moses, as noticed above, recoo-nizes no "good" magic. It is viewccl either as imposture or, assuming its reality, as demonish (Satanic). It was connected with foolish and wicked rites. 2. The character ~f the people as " perfect" (ver. 13). There could not be perfect love to Go,! and communion with him, and trafficking with the devil at the same time. Love to God, faith in him, and entirety of devotion to him should preclude these superstitions. What he wills his people to know he will teach them by proper means; what he conceals they have no right to seek by means that are improper (Isa. viii. 19).-J. 0. 1 ers. 15-20.-Propliecy. The term "Prophet" covers the whole series of Old Testament prophets, culminating in Christ, the Prophet like unto Moses par la:ce/lence (sec ir,jra ). I. PnoPIIECY 1~ GEl\"ERU~ The prophet~wliat? Etymologically, one "boiling or bubbling over" with tlie Divine inspiration. No mere religious genius, but one truly and supernaturally inspired.. A revealer and declarer of the will of God. Future events ,rnre foretold: 1. As signs. 2. In warnings and appeals. 3. In denouncing God's judgments. 4. In administering comfort. 5. In unfolding the Messianic hope. 6. In Jn folding the Divine purpose underlying providential developments. Prediction is thus a true and vital element in prophecy, but it is far from being of the essence of it. It is the function of the prophet either to declare new truth-truth gained by direct revela- lation, and gi'l'en forth with the authority of Heaven as a "word of the Lord," or, taking up truth already revealed, to revive and enforce it with supernatural power and for'l'our, applying it to the circumstances, exigencies, and evils of his particular time. "The prophets were men who, when facing the people, stood as it were befo1'e God, and thus spoke/ore and/or him" (Morison). II. PROPHECY A:KD Mos.A.ISM. It is noteworthy that l\fosaism contemplated the rise of prophecy from the first, and left room for. it in the arrangements of the economy. It evrn required it for the carrying forward of its objects to completion. The dispensation was not a final one. The kingdom of God had a future which it was the task of prophecy gradually to disclose. The Law enclosed innumerable spiritual germs, which it was the function of prophecy to expand and develop. It had, moreo\·er, underlying its ceremouialism, a spiritual basis, which it was the busiI!ess of the prophets to bring 10 li~bt, and to recall to people's minds when t.hey appeared in danger of forgetting it. Prophecy was thus a stauding witnei;s to the life, freshness, and power which lay in the l,eart of a religion largely wrapped up in legal forms. Then there was the necessity fer new light and guidance under the conclitions of advancing national life, and in times of natir,nal emergency. The Law left not a little scope for extended applications of its fundamental principles, and it lay with the prophets to furnish the direction required, All this, in addition to their more general function of rebuking, warning, and testifying, in times of declension, which, with the carrying forward the development of revelation in iLs relation to Christ and bis kingdom, may be regarded as the chief part of their work. Ill. PROPHECY Al\"D H.EATliEN llf.ANTICIBM. 'fhe connection shows that prophecy is given in lieu of the heathenish practices that are forbidden. If God forbids divination. Cll. XVIII. 1-22,) 'l'IIE nooK OF DEUTERONOMY. Blo