TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 5:6-21
The command-ments . . . are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Romans 13:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
A family was studying a devotional about giving the Ten Commandments. The father asked, “How many commandments did God give to Moses?” Without skipping a beat, their five-year-old son replied, “Too many!”

On the surface it may seem to us as if that five-year-old was correct. Especially when we note that Moses began his exposition of God’s “commandments, decrees and laws” with a review of the Ten Commandments. Many people today feel that ten rules from God are challenging enough. Just imagine what it must have been like for the people of Israel when they heard all the stipulations laid down in the rest of the Mosaic Law.

Some responded by attempting to sift through all of God’s decrees to identify those that were most important. Matthew’s Gospel tells how one expert in the Mosaic Law came to Jesus and asked Him which was the greatest commandment of all. Jesus replied: “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:37–39). A quick survey of Moses’ summary of the foundational commands of the Law confirms Jesus’ statement. All its commands and all the commands that follow in the book of Deuteronomy are coordinated by these two great poles: our obligation to God and our obligation to others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do either of these statements describe you? “I don’t think God expects anyone to take the Ten Commandments seriously,” or “I think you can get to heaven by obeying the Ten Commandments.” These are misunderstandings of God’s Law. Scripture also teaches that “no one is justified before God by the law” (Gal. 3:11). It’s clear from both the Old and the New Testaments that these commandments do provide a moral foundation for behavior. To help hide this Word in your heart, write out and memorize the Ten Commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 5:22-33
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 2:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
This coming Sunday you may lift your hands in worship and sing, “Our God is an awesome God,” and then a few hours later use the same term to describe the meal you just ate or the detailing on your neighbor’s car. Although the language of awe is commonplace among us, we rarely actually experience it.

Israel, on the other hand, learned from firsthand experience that the God they worshiped was awesome. After they heard the words of the Law proclaimed by God’s own voice, they were filled with joy and terror. They rejoiced to discover that “a man can live even if God speaks with him” (Deut. 5:24). However, they did not feel that such a relationship could be sustained without help. They begged Moses to act as their mediator–pleading with him to be God’s spokesman and their representative.

This illustrates one of the primary themes of the Old Testament law: the truth that we need someone to bridge the gap between man and God that has been created by our sin.

While the church has always recognized this problem, it has not always sought an adequate solution. Like Israel, some have looked to other believers to function as mediators. The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ has fulfilled what Israel asked of Moses. Others may be appointed as priests, but only Christ can function as a true priest. He alone knows what it’s like to be God and man. His death on the cross is the only payment God will accept for sin. Because He rose from the dead and lives forever, He is the only one who is “able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you been looking to someone or something other than Jesus Christ to serve as your “bridge” into God’s presence? Perhaps you have been relying on the clergy or rites of the church to make you right with God. Others in the church can instruct us and pray for us. They can be a source of great encouragement and can be used to help us grow spiritually. The ordinances of the church are a helpful reminder of what Jesus did. But only Christ can bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-25
Command and teach these things. - 1 Timothy 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Although Jill believes in having family devotions, they never seem to turn out the way she thinks they should. She easily identifies with the mother whose daughter once asked, “Mommy, when are we going to get together and have family commotions?”

“Family commotions” seem to be a good description of what happens when Jill suggests that it’s time for her family to study the Bible. “Can’t we do it later?” someone will ask. “I’m watching television” another will complain. All too often the children seem bored, the dog barks, or the phone rings.

Spending time together in God’s Word is a challenge for most families today. How good to learn, then, that God’s plan doesn’t limit the family’s spiritual life to a single method. Instead, it prescribes a holistic approach to training children in spiritual matters. God does indeed command Christian parents to pass on the truths of the faith to their children, but the strategy He prescribes is a flexible one. Parents are called to explain spiritual truths to their children in the context of ordinary life. Instead of demanding that family devotions be observed at a specific time, this subject is to be the focus of family discussion throughout the day. Biblical principles should be so naturally woven into the fabric of our daily lives that it seems as if they were written on the doorframes of our houses and inscribed on our gates (Deut. 6:9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When was the last time you discussed God’s Word together as a family?

If you have a plan for family devotions, try not to limit your spiritual conversations to just these formal occasions. If your approach to your family’s spiritual life is more informal, be careful not to let the subject of God’s truth become pushed aside by the rush of the day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-26
Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 6:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
In our culture today, some aspects of this passage may be disturbing. The command to totally destroy all those living in the land of Canaan makes sense only when the authority of the God who gave it is kept in view. He is the God who “made every nation of men” and the one who “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26).

As Creator of the world, Israel’s God also had authority over all nations, even over those who did not acknowledge Him as God. As the only one who possesses the power to give life, He also has the authority to take it (Neh. 9:6; cf. Job 1:21).

In order to understand this difficult command, we should keep in mind that God promised to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham (Gen. 15:7). When Israel moved into Canaan, they weren’t stealing the land but claiming what was rightfully theirs.

God’s purpose for Israel was to function as a “light to the nations” (Isa. 51:4). God’s people were never meant to be isolated, but they were intended to be a nation apart. This could not happen if they adopted the values and practices of their neighbors. The danger of corruption was so great that drastic measures had to be taken. Intermarriage with those who didn’t worship their God would only erode Israel’s faith and eventually lead to assimilation by the surrounding nations.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Which would others say is most true of you? Are you an influencer? Or are you more influenced by others around you? Most of us are both–our attitudes and actions are affected by those around us, and we in turn help to shape the behavior of others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 8:1-20
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. - 1 Chronicles 16:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Multi-millionaire J. Paul Getty was once asked to write a short article explaining the secret of his financial success. He agreed and promptly sent the publisher a sheet of paper with a single sentence written on it. It read: “Some people find oil. Others don’t.” Was he simply lucky? Your answer will depend upon the role you see that God plays in success.

What many might characterize as “luck,” the Bible labels as grace. One definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” When God grants me a blessing that I don’t deserve, He shows me grace. This was certainly true of Israel. They had not earned the right to dwell in the land of Canaan. It was God’s gift to them. This great blessing brought with it a corresponding risk. It was possible, even likely, that once they had settled in the land, God’s people would come to believe that they had done something to deserve all they had received. They would forget God’s mighty acts of deliverance and their own disobedience. Instead of crediting Him with their success, they would attribute it to their own power and strength.

The familiar saying warns that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Israel was in danger of suffering an even worse fate. For them, to forget their history was equivalent to forgetting God. They were warned that such spiritual amnesia would eventually lead to their expulsion from the land of promise. Israel’s experience in the wilderness had shown that the God of blessing was also a God of discipline. He loved them too much to let them forget all He had done, and He was willing to take drastic measures to “jog” His people’s spiritual memory.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Memory is one of the secrets of maintaining an attitude of gratitude for all that God has done. Consider developing a strategy that will help you to “Remember how the Lord your God led you” (Deut. 8:2). It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It might be something as simple as keeping a journal of God’s answers to your prayers. In ancient Israel they sometimes piled stones into a mound to memorialize God’s acts of deliverance (or judgment) in their lives. What kind of memorial might serve as your personal “pile of stones?”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
John Steinbeck once observed that failure is often a catalyst for spiritual growth. “If everything is coming your way,” he wrote, “you are probably in the wrong lane. Adversity and defeat are more conducive to spiritual growth than prosperity and victory.” But what if the defeat we experience involves more than a setback in our circumstances? What if we have experienced defeat because of our own sin?

As Israel prepared to take possession of the land God had promised them, it was vital that they keep in mind their defeats as well as their victories. The Lord commanded, “Remember this and never forget how you provoked the Lord your God to anger in the desert. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord” (Deut. 9:7). A healthy awareness of their past failures was intended to be a remedy against spiritual presumption. More importantly, it would bring to mind how God had been faithful to discipline and forgive them.

The Bible is filled with stories of people whose mistakes and failures were redeemed by God. Some–like Jacob the deceiver, Judah the father of an illegitimate child, David the adulterer, and Rahab the prostitute–even appear in the lineage of Jesus (Matt. 1:2–5). Peter denied Jesus three times, and Thomas questioned whether Jesus had truly risen from the dead. Paul persecuted the church. All of these were used by God despite their past failings.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Why not take Paul’s advice and do some “spiritual calculating?” Think of three or four instances where you acted contrary to God’s commands. What were some of the consequences you suffered as a result? How did your sin affect those around you? Think also about the lessons God taught you as a result of these experiences. Conclude by reading 1 John 1:9. If you have never claimed God’s promise of forgiveness through Christ, do so today. Thank Him for His promise to cleanse you from “all unrighteousness.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32
I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 7:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
Everyone likes good food, but many of us don’t equate that with food that is “good for you.” When parents set limitations on how much ice cream their children eat, they may try to help them understand by saying: “It’s for your own good.” But that rarely makes the child feel good about broccoli! We might feel skeptical, then, when we read that God used this reasoning to explain why He gave decrees and commands to Israel. We may have a nagging suspicion that, although these laws may be good for us, we definitely won’t enjoy them.

Perhaps that is why the Lord went on to remind Israel of His motives for giving His law. It wasn’t because He wanted to make their lives miserable. He was motivated by love and by a desire to bless His people. These commands would help Israel to know Him better and would give them an opportunity to return His love. They would also provide a safeguard against the moral and spiritual dangers that were inherent in the culture of their day.

According to Josh McDowell, all the moral precepts found in Scripture have this dual aim–to provide us with a better understanding of who God is and to protect us from the consequences of sin. In his book Right From Wrong he explains, “The commandments and precepts of Scripture are designed not only to say, 'Do this,’ and 'Don’t do that,’ but to lead us beyond the precept to a universal principle (one that applies to everyone) and, ultimately, to the God who expresses Himself through precept.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our obedience to God’s commands should be motivated by our knowledge that they are “for our own good” and should be energized by our personal experience of God’s redemptive love. Is there a command in Scripture that you find especially difficult to accept today? Prayerfully examine it to learn what it reveals about God’s love for you. It may be designed to pave the way for future blessing, or it could be intended to protect you from harm. Ask the Holy Spirit for His power as you seek to obey.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 12:1-32
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. - Romans 10:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Differences over worship style are the basis for many church conflicts today. In most instances people disagree over music. Although these conflicts are never desirable, they can have the benefit of forcing us to ask some fundamental questions about worship. What is God looking for? Does He accept all forms of worship? Or does He want us to worship Him in a specific way?

As far as worship under the Law of Moses was concerned, God was indeed looking for a particular “style” of worship. The Law of Moses described how Israel was to worship in great detail, specifying when, where, and how God’s people were to approach Him. It even regulated the kind of clothing that priests were to wear when they approached the altar! The Lord also warned His people not to adopt the religious practices of the nations they were about to displace as they took possession of the land of promise. In fact, they were commanded to take extreme measures to ensure that the idolatrous worship of those people didn’t spread.

These commands raise an inevitable question. Is God as specific when it comes to the church’s worship? The answer is “yes”–but with a significant difference. The commands given to Israel dealt primarily with methods and rituals. The church, on the other hand, is to approach God in worship through the person of Jesus Christ. All that the Old Testament law specified merely anticipated what Christ would accomplish by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. As important as the Law was, it could not do for the worshiper what Jesus Christ would eventually do: “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship” (Heb. 10:1).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Is it possible that our many conflicts about worship style have caused us to lose sight of the real focus of our worship? Jesus told the woman of Samaria that God is seeking a certain kind of worshiper.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 13:1-18
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Coins in the United States have the phrase “In God We Trust” stamped upon them. But to which God does this refer? It is true that many who framed the Constitution shared common values shaped by their Judeo-Christian heritage, but the American religious scene is now far more pluralistic than it was when the United States was founded. While many still acknowledge Jesus Christ as God’s Son and believe that the Bible is the Word of God, Christians must compete in the marketplace of ideas along with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and countless other religious views. The United States is one of the most religiously diverse countries on earth.

This tradition of religious pluralism offers at least one advantage. It has allowed the church to worship and proclaim the gospel in freedom. But it also poses a danger. Because we live in a culture that celebrates religious diversity, we face the temptation of becoming religious pluralists ourselves. With so many views existing side by side, how do we protect ourselves from embracing false views of God?

The children of Israel were confronted with a similar problem. Moses warned that once they settled in the land God had promised to give them, their faith would be constantly challenged by the pagan beliefs of the surrounding nations. False prophets would come claiming to have special insights directly from God and demonstrating the ability to perform miraculous signs. Friends and relatives could be deceived by their teaching and might tempt others to adopt the same views. Entire towns might be drawn into false worship.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In order to “guard the good deposit” of truth that has been entrusted to us, we must first know the truth. Obtain a copy of your church’s doctrinal statement from your pastor or a church leader and study it. What does it tell you about the truths your church believes are essential to the Christian faith? What does it say about Jesus Christ and His work? The Moody Publishers catalog has many books about Christian doctrine, such as Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie and Foundational Faith edited by John Koessler.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 14:1-29
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story has been told about a little boy who refused to eat prunes when they were served to him. The boy’s mother sent him to his room with a shake of her finger and the admonition, “God is angry at you!” A thunderstorm broke out while the boy was serving his punishment. As the storm raged, the mother began to feel a little remorse for being so stern with her son. Thinking that the crashing thunder and flashing lightning might have frightened him, she decided to open the door and peek into his room. When she did, the mother saw the boy standing at the window. As he contemplated the fury of the storm he muttered to himself, “What a big deal to make over a few prunes!”

We may be tempted to draw a similar conclusion after reading today’s passage. The dietary laws described in the Law of Moses seem strange, if not a little petty, to us. Why should God care if His people ate animals with a split hoof or not? Was it really so important to their spiritual life that the seafood they ate had fins and scales on it?

These laws served three important purposes. First, many of them had a basis in health concerns. The prohibition against eating pork, for example, was wise in a culture where eating poorly cooked pork could be deadly. Second, many of these dietary laws made the difference between holy and unholy living more vivid to God’s people by declaring as unclean many animals to which Hebrew culture had a natural aversion.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23–33. Like the Corinthians, our questions about what constitutes godly living sometimes concern matters not explicitly addressed in Scripture. In such cases the path of holiness is more difficult than simply examining the shape of an animal’s hoof. The Corinthian believers were not bound by the dietary regulations of the Law of Moses, yet food became a “spiritual” issue in their congregational life. Can you think of similar matters that affect the life of your congregation? What does it mean for you to live as a child of God in such circumstances?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 15:1-23
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. - Galatians 6:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
It must have seemed like a dream come true when the members of St. Mary’s United Methodist Church learned that one of the residents in their community had remembered the church in his will.

The amount was staggering–$60 million. The will made no stipulations as to how the money was to be used, so the congregation formulated an advisory board to help them decide. Once word got out, the church’s phone began to ring off the wall with calls requesting financial aid. What seemed like an unmixed blessing now proved to be a challenge as the church struggled to maintain a proper focus despite its new-found wealth.

George MacDonald once observed that the rich are not the only ones in danger of being dominated by things. “They too are slaves who, having no money, are unhappy from the lack of it,” he observed. Interestingly, money and slavery are both the focus of today’s passage. Both were linked in the culture of ancient Israel. Deuteronomy 15 describes how every seven years Israel was to cancel all debts and free those who sold themselves into slavery to escape poverty. During this Sabbath year the people were also required to let the ground lie fallow. The land certainly benefited from this practice, but it was primarily God’s way of providing for the poor (Ex. 23:10–11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you have a plan for providing for the needs of the poor? If you lack the financial resources to do this, why not consider offering some of your time and effort instead? Ask your pastor whether there is a food pantry located in your community. It may need volunteers to help distribute food to the needy. If you live near an urban area, there is probably a rescue mission or homeless shelter that would be happy to have you help serve a meal to its residents.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 16:1-17
The gift is acceptable according to what one has. - 2 Corinthians 8:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
A few years ago USA Today revealed that more than 40 percent of Americans felt that it was okay to cheat on their taxes. These statistics probably haven’t changed much since then. Some feel this way because they believe that the government wants too much of their money. Others don’t agree with the way their money is spent. Many feel that the load is unevenly distributed. We certainly don’t agree with the ethics of those who cheat on their taxes, but according to biblical principles we can sympathize with the desire for an equitable tax burden.

An evenly distributed burden is also the ideal behind the guidelines for giving outlined in the Old and New Testaments. Under the Law of Moses, God’s people were required to present themselves to the Lord three times a year. Each time they were not to come before the Lord “empty-handed” but were to bring a gift in proportion to the way God had blessed them (Deut. 16:16–17).

This principle was reflected in all of the offerings required of Israel. The type of offering to be brought was dependent upon the worshiper’s income. Where a wealthier person may have been required to bring a sheep or a goat, the poor were told to bring only two doves (Lev. 5:7). If a worshiper could not afford doves, they were permitted to offer grain instead (Lev. 5:11). It was not God’s intent that offerings brought to Him would be a burdensome tax on His people’s spiritual life.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It can be tempting to think primarily in terms of the amount when we give to God. How much does He want? Should we give Him ten percent? Should we base it on our gross income or our net? Should we give less than a tithe? The biblical pattern, however, is to begin with the spirit rather than the amount. Our giving is pleasing to God “if the willingness is there” (2 Cor. 8:12). Like the believers in Macedonia in Paul’s day, we need to give ourselves to the Lord first and then set the figure (2 Cor. 8:5).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 16:18-17:20
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved . . . who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his book entitled Jesus the Pastor, John Frye observes that today’s church is often tempted to look to models other than Jesus to guide its leaders. “I am not saying that Jesus has been totally neglected, rather, he has been relegated to other dimensions of Christian and local church experience,” he explains. “Jesus is shoved into our shadows as we read our management books, do our cultural surveys, attend our leadership seminars, and applaud or criticize one another’s endeavors.”

In many ways the problem that Frye identifies is not a new one. Israel’s new-found freedom brought the challenge of establishing corporate leadership structures that reflected God’s value system. Immediately, they faced the challenge of selecting judges capable of handling the inevitable problems that come when people live in community and are responsible for governing themselves. There were also religious questions and disputes that had to be settled by the priests and Levites. What’s more, God’s people would face an even graver leadership challenge in the future.

Moses warned that Israel would not always be satisfied with the leadership structure God had established for them. Like today’s church, the time would come when they would be tempted to turn to secular examples. Moses warned that in that day they would want to choose a king who was “like all the nations” around them (Deut. 17:14). In view of these temptations, it was critical that God’s Word should be their ultimate point of reference. Israel’s leaders may have looked like those of the surrounding nations in certain respects, but they were not to be like them.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Think of the most effective leader you know. What parallels do you see between that person’s leadership style and the leadership of Christ? Why not take a moment to write a quick note to them today sharing your observations and thanking them for their effort? Don’t forget that the church is not the only context where Christ-like leadership is needed. Jesus should be our leadership model whether the context is the church, the home, or the workplace. Where do you need to lead like Jesus today?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 18:1-14
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor. - 1 Timothy 5:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jerry was unhappy when he learned that his church had called a new pastor. “There’s only one reason he decided to leave his old church and come to ours,” he complained. “He came here because we offered him more money!” Many people agree with Jerry that salary should not be a factor in a pastor’s decision to serve a particular church. Interestingly, they would feel differently about a Christian whose vocation was in a “secular” field, like engineering or retail sales.

The Bible warns the church’s leaders of the danger of serving for material gain. Paul emphasized that an important qualification of one appointed to the office of elder in the New Testament church was that he not be a “lover of money” (1 Tim. 3:3). Yet the Scriptures also teach that God’s people have an obligation to provide for those whose full-time calling is to minister to them. Those who served the tabernacle under the Law of Moses–the priests and the Levites–were not given an allotment of land like the other tribes. They were permitted to live in towns and to own individual plots of land, but their primary source of support came through the offerings brought by God’s people. They lived off a portion of the tithes and sacrifices brought there.

Although the methods have changed, this same principle has been carried over to the church. Paul appealed to this Old Testament practice when he spoke of an apostle’s “right of support” (1 Cor. 9:12–13). Jesus affirmed this when He declared that “the worker is worth his keep” (Matt. 10:10; cf. 1 Cor. 9:14). Although Paul did not choose to utilize this right while ministering among the Corin-thians, he did accept financial help from other churches (2 Cor. 11:.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Most churches make their pastor’s salary a matter of public record by publishing it in their annual report. Does your pastor’s compensation indicate that your church feels that he is “worth his keep?”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 18:15-21
In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. - Hebrews 1:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Each morning millions of people turn to the horoscope section of the newspaper for guidance for the day. They believe that the movement of the stars can predict their future. Some turn to sources like the obscure poetry of the sixteenth-century physician Nostradamus, who claimed to see far into the future.

God’s people had no newspapers, but they did face the challenge of testing the validity of those who claimed to speak for God. The Lord promised that He would send prophets to Israel who would speak the words of God to them. Although these prophets often made predictions about the future, their primary mission was to call God’s people to obedience. Predictions of the future were one of the means God used to authenticate their ministry of speaking His word. Scriptures condemn the practice of seeking guidance through horoscopes (Isa. 47:13–14). Astrology does not have the power to predict the future and those who turn to it for help are involved in “error” (Isa. 47:15).

Likewise, Scriptures condemn the art of divination–the practice of predicting the future by observing natural and supernatural phenomena (Lev. 19:26). In biblical times several forms of divination were common. Some people tried to see the future by examining the entrails of certain animals, interpreting dreams, or attempting to contact the dead.

These practices posed a problem for God’s people. How were they to discern between God’s true spokesmen and those who were impostors? The Scriptures prescribed two tests. The first was the test of accuracy. The predictions of a true prophet of God had to come true. Any prophet who made a prediction that failed to come to pass was to be regarded as a false prophet and executed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The same God who spoke through the prophets in the past continues to speak to us today in His Word. According to the author of the book of Hebrews, God’s ultimate revelation of Himself has come through His Son Jesus Christ. We do not need to turn to occult practices like astrology for direction.