OT Notes Dt. 18:15-20

1)This passage does not do much for me today, so this will take some work and thought.
I am struck by the end, on the problem of speaking as a prophet and speaking ot of a different source than God's voice. I immediately think of new right politicians who claim the mantle of god for their policies.
2) How would or will people be held accountable for ignoring authentic prophetic witness? Here, the emphasis is on hearing as absorbing and acting on a message.
3) we often take prophetic to mean shaking the finger at a recalcitrant people, the stance of an outsider. This reminds us that the prophet is from within the people, who shares their history, their weaknesses, their values, and their fears.So a prophetic stance is rooted in empathy, no?
4) I am reading a new biography of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island and separation of chr8ch and state. I was then reminded of the early Puritan sermon that spoke of \God having "yet more light." Here the prophet continues to speak, through, or even past the great revelation at Sinai and the words of the great Moses as well. Clearly Christians see Jesus in this prophetic role.
5) I suppose that this could also be an entry point into a consideration of transitions in the church, especially leadership issues.
6) Olson in D. and the Death of Moses (85) goes back to emphasize that Moses 'takes the heat" for the people in his role. He is also a prophet but priest, a mediator, a go-between for the earth and the heavens. He sees more than a hint in sacrificing one's life for the people here.
7) this passage follows warnings against varieties of divination, so it could be a way into our views of examining the future.the issue of false prophecy must have been a concern.Divination beckons when we fear the future. Do we have modern divination methods?