What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 18:10? Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire” (Deuteronomy 18:10) • God flatly rejects the Canaanite practice of child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 23:10). • Life belongs to the Lord; it is not ours to barter for favor, success, or protection (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 24:1). • Israel’s worship was to reflect God’s character—holy, compassionate, and protective of the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 82:3-4). • Later kings who tolerated this atrocity “did evil in the sight of the LORD,” while those who destroyed the shrines were commended (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Chronicles 34:3-5). The verse opens by anchoring Israel’s identity: a people who value life because their God is the Giver of life. Practices divination or conjury “…practices divination or conjury…” (Deuteronomy 18:10) • Divination seeks hidden knowledge—future events, secret motives—through pagan rituals and objects (Ezekiel 21:21; Acts 16:16-18). • Conjury (casting incantations) tries to manipulate spiritual powers for personal ends; Scripture labels it rebellion equal to idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). • God alone reveals mysteries; when Joseph interpreted dreams, he said, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8). • Israel was invited to ask the LORD directly through prophets (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) rather than grope in the dark arts. By banning divination, God safeguards His people from deception and from relying on anything less than His sure word. Interprets omens “…interprets omens…” (Deuteronomy 18:10) • Omen reading involves looking for patterns—bird flights, animal entrails, random events—to decode divine messages (Ezekiel 21:21). • It reduces providence to superstition, a game of signs instead of a relationship with the living God (Isaiah 8:19-20). • Even godly men could be tempted: Gideon asked for signs (Judges 6:36-40), yet God accommodated him in mercy, not as a model to imitate. • The prophets point us to a different path: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Omen-seeking is forbidden because it trades trust for control and exchanges God’s voice for random signals. Practices sorcery “…practices sorcery” (Deuteronomy 18:10) • Sorcery harnesses occult power, often through charms, potions, or alliances with spirits (Exodus 7:11; Acts 19:19). • The New Testament lists sorcery (pharmakeia) with works of the flesh that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). • Sorcerers stand outside the holy city in Revelation 22:15, underscoring continued divine judgment. • God’s wonders are real, yet counterfeit miracles aim to blur that reality (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10); believers must discern and reject them. Sorcery is off-limits because it seeks power apart from God, ultimately enslaving its practitioners and harming others. summary Deuteronomy 18:10 draws a clear boundary: God’s people must renounce every practice that devalues life or taps into dark spiritual sources. Child sacrifice is condemned because life is sacred. Divination, conjury, omen-reading, and sorcery are banned because they bypass God’s revelation, foster control over trust, and invite demonic influence. Instead, the Lord calls His people to rely on His word, His prophets, and His steadfast character—finding wisdom, guidance, and protection in Him alone. |
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