that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods" (which you have not known), that wicked men have arisen from among youThis phrase highlights the internal threat to the community, emphasizing that the danger comes from within rather than from external enemies. In the context of ancient Israel, this reflects the constant vigilance required to maintain covenant faithfulness. The term "wicked men" suggests those who act contrary to God's laws, reminiscent of the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16). This internal threat is a recurring theme in Scripture, warning against false prophets and teachers ( 2 Peter 2:1). and have led the people of their city astray
The act of leading others astray underscores the influence and responsibility of leaders within a community. In ancient Israel, cities were often tightly-knit communities, and the defection of a city could have significant spiritual and social consequences. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the dangers of false teaching and idolatry, as seen in the warnings against false prophets in Jeremiah 23:32 and the New Testament's admonitions against false teachers (1 John 4:1). saying, “Let us go and serve other gods”
This phrase directly addresses the temptation to idolatry, a central concern in Deuteronomy and throughout the Old Testament. The call to serve other gods represents a direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). The allure of foreign gods was a persistent issue for Israel, as seen in the worship of Baal and Asherah (Judges 2:11-13). This temptation is also a type of spiritual adultery, drawing parallels to the New Testament's warnings against spiritual infidelity (James 4:4). (which you have not known)
The phrase emphasizes the foreignness and unfamiliarity of these gods, contrasting them with the known and revealed God of Israel. This highlights the uniqueness of Yahweh and the covenant relationship established with Israel. The unfamiliarity of these gods serves as a reminder of the dangers of syncretism and the importance of remaining true to the God who revealed Himself to the patriarchs and through the Law. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are warned against being led astray by strange teachings (Hebrews 13:9). Persons / Places / Events 1. Wicked MenThese are individuals within the Israelite community who are leading others astray by promoting the worship of foreign gods. 2. The People of the TownThe community being influenced by the wicked men, potentially leading to idolatry and turning away from God. 3. Other GodsRefers to the deities of surrounding nations, which the Israelites were forbidden to worship. 4. The TownRepresents any community within Israel that might be tempted to follow false teachings and abandon their covenant with God. 5. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and warnings to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Teaching Points Guard Against False TeachingsJust as the Israelites were warned about wicked men, Christians today must be vigilant against teachings that lead away from the truth of the Gospel. Community ResponsibilityThe passage highlights the importance of community vigilance. Believers should hold each other accountable and encourage faithfulness to God. Exclusive WorshipGod demands exclusive worship. Believers must examine their lives for anything that might take precedence over their relationship with God. Discernment and WisdomChristians are called to discernment, using Scripture as the standard to evaluate teachings and practices. Consequences of IdolatryThe passage serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of idolatry, both spiritually and communally. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we identify "wicked men" or false teachings in our own communities today, and what steps can we take to address them? 2. In what ways does our modern culture tempt us to "worship other gods," and how can we remain faithful to God alone? 3. How does the concept of community responsibility in Deuteronomy 13:13 apply to the church today? 4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate discernment to recognize and reject false teachings? 5. How do the warnings in Deuteronomy 13:13 relate to the New Testament teachings on false prophets and teachers? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5This passage reinforces the commandment against idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive worship of Yahweh. 1 Kings 18:21Elijah challenges the Israelites to choose between God and Baal, highlighting the danger of divided loyalties. Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets, paralleling the warning against wicked men leading others astray. Galatians 1:6-9Paul warns against turning to a different gospel, echoing the theme of remaining faithful to the true God. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Arisen, Astray, Base, Belial, Drawn, Fellows, Force, Gods, Good-for-nothing, Inhabitants, Led, Midst, Persons, Saying, Seduced, Serve, Sons, Town, Turning, Withdrawn, Worship, Worthless, WorthlessnessDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:13 4121 Satan, enemy of God
4125 Satan, agents of
5586 town Deuteronomy 13:12-15 1461 truth, nature of Library Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of GodKnox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution, 1556-1558
Knox was about this time summoned to be one of the preachers to the English at Geneva. He sent in advance Mrs. Bowes and his wife, visited Argyll and Glenorchy (now Breadalbane), wrote (July 7) an epistle bidding the brethren be diligent in reading and discussing the Bible, and went abroad. His effigy was presently burned by the clergy, as he had not appeared in answer to a second summons, and he was outlawed in absence. It is not apparent that Knox took any part in the English translation of the …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 13:13 NIVDeuteronomy 13:13 NLTDeuteronomy 13:13 ESVDeuteronomy 13:13 NASBDeuteronomy 13:13 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:13 Commentaries
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