“When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.”
Context: The book of Deuteronomy is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains Moses’ final sermons to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites about the importance of not following the practices of the nations living in Canaan, whom they will dispossess.
Prohibition against pagan practices: Deuteronomy 18:9 emphasizes God’s commandment for the Israelites not to engage in the abominable practices of the nations they are about to encounter. God wanted the Israelites to be distinct and separate from the idolatrous practices and wickedness prevalent in those societies. By forbidding these practices, God aimed to preserve the Israelites’ spiritual purity and prevent them from being led astray.
Identifying the abominations: The subsequent verses in Deuteronomy 18 (verses 10-14) enumerate specific abominable practices that the Israelites are not to follow. These include child sacrifice, divination, soothsaying, witchcraft, sorcery, interpreting omens, consulting mediums or spirits, and seeking out the dead. All these practices involve seeking supernatural guidance or power apart from God, often through occult means. God wanted the Israelites to rely on Him alone and seek His guidance through prophets and the revealed Word.
The call for faithfulness and trust in God: The commandment in Deuteronomy 18:9 highlights the importance of faithfulness and trust in God. The Israelites were to put their complete trust in God’s guidance and provision, rather than seeking guidance from forbidden sources. God had already promised to guide and protect them, and He wanted them to rely on Him rather than turning to occult practices, which were contrary to His will.
Application for believers today: While Deuteronomy 18:9 was specifically addressed to the ancient Israelites, there are timeless principles that can be applied to believers today. Christians are called to avoid any form of idolatry, occult practices, or seeking supernatural guidance apart from God. Instead, believers are to put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and seek guidance from Him through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking wisdom from godly sources.
In summary, Deuteronomy 18:9 serves as a reminder to the Israelites, and to believers today, to stay away from abominable practices and to put their trust in God alone. It highlights the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and seeking God’s guidance through legitimate means, rather than seeking supernatural help from forbidden sources.
