“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Context and Background: Deuteronomy is part of the Old Testament and is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, also known as the Books of Moses. It contains Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is addressing the people’s need to discern true prophets from false ones.
Understanding the Verse: Deuteronomy 18:22 establishes a criterion to judge whether a prophet’s message is genuinely from God or not. According to this verse, if a prophet claims to speak in the name of the Lord, but the predicted event or prophecy does not come to pass, it means that the prophet has spoken presumptuously, falsely attributing their own words to God.
Discerning True and False Prophets: This verse highlights the importance of discernment when it comes to prophetic messages. It warns the Israelites to be cautious and not fear such prophets if their prophecies fail to materialize. It implies that a true prophet’s words will come to pass as a confirmation of their authenticity.
The Purpose of the Criterion: God provided this criterion to protect His people from being misled by false prophets. The Israelites were vulnerable to deception and idolatry, so God wanted to ensure they could identify true messengers from Him. The fulfillment of prophecies served as evidence that the prophet was truly sent by God and that His words could be trusted.
Application for Today: Although this verse specifically addresses the Israelites of that time, the principle of discernment remains applicable today. It reminds us to test the words of those who claim to speak for God against the standard of Scripture. The Bible is the ultimate authority, and any prophetic message must align with its teachings.
Testing Prophecies: In the New Testament, we are encouraged to test prophecies. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 (NIV) says, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good.” We should examine prophecies in light of God’s Word and seek confirmation through prayer and seeking wise counsel.
God’s Faithfulness: While this verse helps us discern false prophets, it also reminds us of God’s faithfulness. True prophets were given the gift of accurate foretelling, and their words would come to pass. We can trust in God’s promises, knowing that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 18:22 emphasizes the importance of discerning true and false prophets. It provides a criterion for evaluating prophetic messages, stating that if a prophet’s words do not come to pass, they have spoken presumptuously. This verse serves as a reminder to seek God’s guidance, test prophecies against His Word, and trust in His faithfulness.
