1 Enticers to idolatry, 6 how near soever unto thee, 9 are to be stoned to death. 12 Idolatrous cities are not to bespared.
Deu 13:1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder,
A prophet. Literally, a “spokesman” or “speaker.” The word thus translated is from a root meaning “to utter a low voice,” “to announce,” “to pass on information.”
Dreams The Hebrew words here used refer to ordinary dreams (Isa. 29:8; Ps. 126:1), to inspired dreams, as those of Jacob (Gen. 28:12), of Joseph (Gen. 37:5–10), of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1–3), and of false prophets, as here (Jer. 23:25).
Sign. From ’oth, meaning a “sign,” “token,” given, or a “miracle” performed, to attest an inspired message and to encourage those who witness it to cooperate faithfully with the divine will. Wonder. Literally, a “symbol,” “sign,” “portent,” or “symbolic act,” sent in token of some future event. This refers to a special display of power by a true prophet (Ex. 7:3; 11:9; Ps. 105:5), or by a false prophet, as here.
Deu 13:2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,”
The fulfillment of the “sign” or “wonder” is not to be accepted alone as proof of a prophet’s claims. His message must be in harmony with previously revealed truth (Isa. 8:19, 20). The Jewish people were prone to seek signs, even in Christ’s day (John 6:30), and for this Christ reproved them (Matt. 12:38–45).
The apostle Paul also commented on men’s tendency to seek signs (1 Cor. 1:22). God proveth you. Literally, “God is the one testing you” (see ch. 8:2, 16). Love the Lord. God demands of His people sincere, undivided love (Deut. 6:5; 30:20; Joshua 22:5; 23:11; Ps. 31:23; Isa. 56:6). Obedience that does not spring from love is without value in God’s sight.
Deu 13:3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deu 13:4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
This is the basic duty absolutely binding upon each believer (Deut. 6:13; 10:20; 11:13, 22; Eccl. 12:13, 14; Micah 6:8). The Hebrew word order is most emphatic.
His commandments. These consist of love expressed in attitudes and actions toward God and man (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5; 10:12; Micah 6:8), as Christ later explained (Matt. 5:43–45; 19:16–22; 22:36–40; see also 1 John 4:6–12).
Deu 13:5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
Put to death. See 2 Kings 10:19–27 and 11:18 for examples of drastic action in cases of idolatry.
Turn you from the way. Or, “taught rebellion” (RSV). The Hebrew noun here translated “turn … away” is given as “revolt” in Isa. 1:5; 59:13, “revolted” in Isa. 31:6, and “rebellion” in Jer. 28:16; 29:32.
Deu 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known,
Own brother. Moses notes here the influence of close relatives on spiritual life (see Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26). The wife. The one nearest to a man, for they are one flesh (Gen. 2:24). This suggests the care that should be exercised in the choice of a life partner.
In times of crisis, particularly during the final chapters of the great controversy between good and evil, it may not be possible to trust even the closest relatives if they do not hold to the faith (Micah 7:5–7; Matt. 10:21).
Deu 13:7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other),
Today these gods are materialism, wealth, popularity, politics, sports, fashions, amusements, etc.
Deu 13:8 do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them.
Pity. When eternal destinies are at stake stern measures must be taken. The surgeon’s knife may be painful, yet it may be the only way to save other lives (ch. 7:16; 19:13, 21; 25:12).
Deu 13:9 You must certainly put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people.
Your hand.
The witness to the crime, the accuser, must take active part in meting out the punishment. The purpose of this provision was to curtail false accusations based on private grudges or quarrels. A person would hesitate to lead out in the execution of one whom he knew to be innocent.
Deu 13:10 Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Stone him. See Deut. 17:5; 21:21; 22:21, 24; Joshua 7:25. Literally, “pelt him.” Since Palestine is a stony country, a plentiful supply would always be at hand.
Deu 13:11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.
Hear, and be afraid. The severe measures outlined in the preceding verses were designed to protect the church from idolatry (see chs. 17:13; 19:20; 21:21). God would have men understand the heinous nature of idolatry.
Deu 13:12 If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you to live in
Towns. As in modern times, cities then no doubt tended to become hotbeds of crime and spiritual declension.
Deu 13:13 that troublemakers have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods you have not known),
Arisen from you. That is, severed themselves from association with God’s people, perhaps with the purpose of setting up a new organization (1 John 2:19). Those who leave the church, thinking to work in opposition to it, would do well to remember that apart from Christ they can have no spiritual life and can accomplish nothing for the kingdom (John 15:4, 5).
Led astray. Made strong efforts to seduce others. The same word is translated “thrust” in vs. 5 and 10, suggesting intense effort.
Deu 13:14 then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you,
Investigate with the idea of demanding an answer (chs. 17:4; 19:18). It is used in Hosea 10:12 of seeking God. Make search. Used of intensive and minute investigation (Judges 18:2; Ps. 139:1; Prov. 25:2; Jer. 31:37).
Deu 13:15 you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. You must destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock.
Deu 13:16 You are to gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt,
Public square. This was usually situated near the gate of the city (Neh. 8:1, 3, 16; 2 Chron. 32:6), and was used for public gatherings (2 Chron. 29:4; Ezra 10:9).
Whole burnt offering. It denoted a sacrifice that might not be redeemed by exchange or other form of substitute payment (see Lev. 27:31).
Never to be rebuild. A desolate landmark of God’s abhorrence of apostasy and idolatry (see Joshua 7:26; 8:28).
Deu 13:17 and none of the condemned things are to be found in your hands. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you. He will increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your ancestors—
The condemned thing. The church today needs to watch that she be not soiled with various types of idolatry, of which covetousness is an example (Col. 3:5; 2 Cor. 9:5).
Fierce anger. Literally, “heat,” from the verb “to burn” (see Ex. 22:24). It also appears as “be hot” (Judges 6:39; 10:7).
Deu 13:18 because you obey the LORD your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.
Obey. A recurring theme in Deuteronomy. It stresses that there is no neutrality in God’s army (Matt. 12:30). The church today needs to pray constantly for divine power to maintain absolute loyalty. Note the apostle Peter’s exhortation for these last days (2 Peter 3:17, 18), Jude’s words of caution (Jude 17–25), and the message of Christ.