CHILDREN SEARCH LESSON 32 THE PROMISED PROPHET
TEXT: Deuteronomy 18:1-22
God cares for His people, and He always makes adequate provisions for them long before they have needs. In our text, Moses told he Israelites that God had provided for the priests and the Levites. The priests and the Levites were the servants of God in the Old Testament. While dividing the promised land, the priests and the Levites were not to inherit any portion of land that Moses was to share among the other tribes of Israel. However, the Levites were to be given some portions in all the sacrifices made by the children of Israel.
Moses also warned the Israelites not to practice the evil things the Canaanites did.
At this time, God also made a future promise to raise a Prophet among the Israelites like Moses. According to Acts 7:37, the Prophet promised by God is the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who does not believe in Jesus and His word would be damned in hell, while anyone who believes in Him would have everlasting life (John 3:16-18).
1. GOD’S PROVISION FOR THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES:
Deuteronomy 18:1-8; Leviticus 7:28-34; Numbers 18:8-31
The tribe of Levi was a special tribe. They became special when they gave themselves to God; it was only the tribe of Levi that answered Moses’ call to come to the Lord’s side when all the children of Israel went into idol worship (Exodus 32:26). God chose them to be His servants and gave them special work to do. Their work included:
(i) offering of sacrifices on the altar;
(ii) teaching God’s word;
(iii) leading songs of praises in the temple; and
(iv) cleaning and maintaining orderliness in the place of worship.
The tribe of Levi would not be given any portion when the land of Canaan would be divided. Why? God made special provisions for them as rewards for their services unto Him. They were given portions in all the sacrifices of the children of Israel including first ripe fruits and devoted things (Deuteronomy 18:1,3,4). Also, they were to receive tithes from the remaining tribes of Israel (Numbers 18:21). The greatest was that the almighty God was their inheritance.
As God made provisions for the Levites and priests that served Him in the Bible, He still provides for those who serve Him today as pastors, children teachers and other true servants of God (Philippians 4:19). Every boy or girl that repents of sin is a Levite on the Lord’s side. You must consecrate your life to serve God in truth and righteousness. Great blessings await you.
2.GOD’S WARNING AGAINST EVIL PRACTICES OF THE CANAANITES:
Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:26; 20:27; Galatians 5:19-21
Moses warned the Israelites against the evil doings of the Canaanites – the ungodly people. The Canaanites looked for help from evil spirits and dead people; they practiced witchcraft and used charms. God hates these practices and punished the Canaanites by completely removing them from the land. Saul, the first king of Israel, died for asking counsel from a witch (1 Chronicles 10:13). The Israelites were commanded not to learn these abominations and not to do them. A friend of Jesus should not join in such evil practices. Do not visit herbalists, false prophets, occultic groups, palm readers and other demonic associations. If you have any occultic book or material in your possession, surrender it to your godly teachers and pastors so that they can appropriately dispose it. Hell-fire awaits everyone who is involved in evil accept practices. Repent now and Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. He will deliver and set you free.
3.GOD’S PROMISE TO RAISE A PROPHET LIKE MOSES:
Deuteronomy 18:15-21; John 5:46; 12:46; Acts 3:22-26; 7:37
A prophet is one who hears from God and speaks God’s word to the people. God promised to raise a Prophet among the Israelites like unto Moses. This Prophet would be special. God commands everyone to obey that Prophet in all things. Anyone who refuses to obey this Prophet will perish. The Lord Jesus Christ is the special Prophet promised by God. There are many passages in the New Testament that support this declaration:
(i) God spoke on many occasions through a voice from heaven to confirm that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (Matthew 3:17; 17:1-6; John 12:28-30; 2 Peter 1:17,18);
(ii) The Lord Jesus Christ stated that He was the One Moses wrote about (John 5:46; Luke 24:44);
(iii) Apostle Peter and Stephen quoted Deuteronomy 18:18, as reference to the Lord Jesus (Acts 3:22,23; 7:37).
Anyone who rejects Christ and His word will have:
(a) God’s wrath
(b) torment from Satan and evil spirits
(c) sorrow
(d) everlasting suffering in hell.
Everyone should believe and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who accepts the Lord Jesus as his or her Saviour and obey Him in all things will receive:
(i) peace (ii) protection (iii) promotion (iv) provision (v) everlasting life.
You have to choose wisely.
QUESTIONS:
- Why did God choose the tribe of Levi to serve in the temple?
- (a) What were the provisions of God for the priests and Levites? (b) What are the blessings for those who serve Christ today?
- Mention the evil doings of the Canaanites and the punishment of God for these abominations.
- In what ways is the Prophet promised by God special and Who is He?
- Mention six witnesses to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is the promised Prophet.
- (a) What are the punishments for those who reject and disobey Christ? (b) Mention the blessings for those who accept and obey Christ.
MEMORY VERSE: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)
LESSON: Jesus Christ is the promised Prophet who must be obeyed in all things.
THOUGHT: I accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the promised Prophet and will obey Him in all things.
ACTIVITY: Discussion time – compare and state the differences between the works of Jesus, the promised Prophet. with that of the Old Testament prophets.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 214 ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME!
CHORUSES: (1) Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life (2) Only Jesus can save; Hallelujah (3) Jesus is the sweetest Name I know.
HOMEWORK: Search the Scriptures and write down in your homework book four passages where the Lord Jesus was referred to as (a) the Saviour (b) the coming King.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
1. Prophet 2. Promise 3. Priest 4. Revelation 5. Canaanites.
