then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly.This directive emphasizes the importance of due diligence and justice in the community. In the ancient Near Eastern context, false accusations could lead to severe consequences, so thorough investigation was crucial. The Hebrew legal system required multiple witnesses ( Deuteronomy 19:15) to establish a matter, reflecting God's justice and fairness. This process mirrors the New Testament principle found in Matthew 18:15-17, where Jesus outlines steps for addressing sin within the church. The emphasis on thorough investigation underscores the seriousness of maintaining purity and truth within the community, a theme echoed in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, where Paul warns against the corrupting influence of sin. And if it is established with certainty
The phrase highlights the need for conclusive evidence before taking action. This reflects God's character as just and righteous, ensuring that decisions are based on truth rather than hearsay or emotion. The requirement for certainty parallels the biblical principle of truthfulness and integrity, as seen in Proverbs 12:17 and Ephesians 4:25. In a broader theological context, this insistence on certainty before judgment foreshadows the final judgment, where Christ, the righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:8), will separate truth from falsehood with perfect knowledge and justice. that this abomination has been committed among you,
The term "abomination" refers to actions that are detestable to God, often associated with idolatry and practices contrary to His commandments. In Deuteronomy, idolatry is a central concern, as it leads the Israelites away from their covenant relationship with God. The historical context involves the Israelites entering Canaan, where they would encounter various pagan practices. The command to eradicate such abominations is a call to holiness, reflecting Leviticus 19:2, where God commands His people to be holy as He is holy. This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament, where believers are urged to live set apart lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). The phrase also points to the seriousness of sin and its impact on the community, reminding believers of the need for vigilance against spiritual compromise. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. False Prophets/IdolatersIndividuals who might lead the Israelites astray by promoting the worship of other gods. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, where they must remain faithful to God. 5. Detestable ThingRefers to idolatry or actions that lead people away from worshiping the one true God. Teaching Points The Importance of DiscernmentBelievers must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that teachings and practices align with God's Word. Thorough InvestigationBefore accepting any report or teaching, it is crucial to investigate its truthfulness and alignment with Scripture. Community ResponsibilityThe community of believers has a collective responsibility to maintain purity in worship and doctrine. Guarding Against IdolatryIdolatry can take many forms today, and believers must guard their hearts and lives against anything that takes precedence over God. Faithfulness to GodRemaining faithful to God requires active engagement with His Word and a commitment to uphold His commandments. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we apply the principle of thorough investigation in our daily lives when confronted with new teachings or ideas? 2. In what ways can the church community support each other in maintaining doctrinal purity and faithfulness to God? 3. What are some modern-day "detestable things" that might lead believers away from true worship, and how can we guard against them? 4. How does the process of discernment and investigation in Deuteronomy 13:14 relate to the Bereans' approach in Acts 17:11? 5. How can we ensure that our personal and communal worship remains centered on God, avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments, which include the prohibition against idolatry, providing a foundational context for the seriousness of the offense described in Deuteronomy 13:14. 1 John 4:1Encourages believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, similar to the thorough investigation commanded in Deuteronomy. Matthew 7:15-20Jesus warns about false prophets, emphasizing the need for discernment, which aligns with the investigative process in Deuteronomy 13:14. Acts 17:11The Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify the truth, paralleling the call for thorough investigation in Deuteronomy. Galatians 1:8-9Paul warns against accepting any gospel contrary to what has been preached, reinforcing the need for vigilance against false teachings. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics TRUE, Abomination, Behold, Care, Detestable, Diligently, Disgusting, Enquired, Established, Full, Hast, Inquire, Investigate, Matter, Midst, Probe, Proved, Questions, Search, Searched, Thoroughly, Truth, WroughtDictionary of Bible Themes 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 13:14 NIVDeuteronomy 13:14 NLTDeuteronomy 13:14 ESVDeuteronomy 13:14 NASBDeuteronomy 13:14 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:14 Commentaries
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