Deut. 18 The Lord is the priests’ and Levites’ inheritance. Deut. 18:1–2. Their due from the people, Deut. 18:3–5. A Levite’s portion that came to serve voluntarily, Deut. 18:6–8. All unlawful arts prohibited, Deut. 18:9–14. Christ is promised, whom they must hearken to, Deut. 18:15–19.

The offerings of the Lord made by fire; by which phrase we here manifestly see that he means not burnt-offerings, which were wholly consumed by fire, and no part of them eaten by the priests; but other sacrifices, whereof part was offered to the Lord by fire, and part was allotted to the priests…

i.e. The Lord’s part and right, as was now said.

A sacrifice, to wit, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, or a peace-offering, as appears from Lev. 7:31, Lev. 7:33, which is ofttimes called simply a sacrifice, as Ex. 18:12, Lev. 17:5, Lev. 17:8, Num. 15:3, Deut. 12:27. The shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. Quest.

To minister in the name of the Lord, i.e. either by authority and commission from him, or for his honour, worship, or service.

Either for any private occasions, or to sojourn there for a season, or rather with full purpose to fix his abode, and to spend his whole time and strength in the service of God, as appears by the sale of his patrimony, mentioned Deut. 18:8.

Like portions, to wit, with their brethren who were in actual ministration; as they share with them in the work, so shall they also in the encouragements.

To pass through the fire; either by a superstitious lustration or purgation, or by a cruel sacrificing of them. See Lev. 18:21, 2 Kings 17:31, 2 Kings 23:10, 2 Chron. 28:3, Ps. 106:37, Jer. 7:31, Jer. 19:5, Ezek. 16:20–21, Ezek. 23:37–39. That useth divination, i.e.

A charmer; one that charmeth serpents or other cattle, Ps. 58:5; or, a fortune-teller, that foretelleth the events of men’s lives by the conjunctions of the stars, &c. See Poole “Lev. 19:31”; See Poole “Lev. 20:6”.

The people of the land which thou art going to possess, mentioned above, Deut. 18:9.

Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving to him and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all commerce and conversations with devils or their agents, such as were now mentioned.

Hath not suffered thee to follow thy own vain mind, and these superstitions and diabolical practices, as he hath suffered other nations to do, Acts 14:16, but hath instructed thee better by his word and Spirit, and thereby kept thee from such courses, and will more fully instruct thee by a great…

Will raise up, i.e. will produce and send into the world in due time. A Prophet: those words may be understood secondarily concerning the succession of prophets which God would raise for the instruction of his church, both because this is alleged as an argument why they need not consult with…

In the day of the assembly, to wit, of that great and general congregation of all the people together.

Will put my words in his mouth; will instruct him what to say, reveal myself and my will to him. He shall speak unto them all that I shall command him; he will faithfully execute the office and trust I commit him.

i.e. I will punish him severely for it, as this phrase is taken, Gen. 9:5, Gen. 42:22. The sad effect of this threatening the Jews have felt for above sixteen hundred years together.

If the thing follow not; which he gives as a sign of the truth of his prophecy. He means the prediction of some strange and wonderful event, as appears by comparing this with Deut. 13:1–2.