you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. you must not yield to him or listen to himThis phrase emphasizes the importance of unwavering faithfulness to God. In the context of Deuteronomy 13, the Israelites are warned against false prophets or dreamers who might entice them to follow other gods. The command not to yield or listen underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the need for discernment. Historically, Israel was surrounded by nations with polytheistic practices, making this warning crucial for maintaining covenantal purity. This directive aligns with the broader biblical theme of exclusive devotion to God, as seen in the First Commandment ( Exodus 20:3). The New Testament echoes this call for discernment in 1 John 4:1, urging believers to test the spirits. Show him no pity
The instruction to show no pity reflects the gravity of leading others away from God. In ancient Israel, the community's spiritual health was paramount, and any threat to it was taken seriously. This severity highlights the communal nature of the covenant, where individual actions could impact the entire nation. The call for no pity is not about personal vengeance but about upholding divine justice and protecting the community from spiritual corruption. This mirrors the New Testament's call for church discipline in cases of unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 5:1-5), emphasizing the need for purity within the body of believers. and do not spare him
The command not to spare the false prophet or enticer reinforces the necessity of removing evil from the community. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where tribal and familial ties were strong, this would have been a difficult but necessary action to preserve the integrity of the covenant community. The severity of this command reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness of idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of the radical measures needed to avoid sin (Matthew 5:29-30). or shield him
The prohibition against shielding the offender underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within the community. Shielding a false prophet would not only condone their actions but also endanger the spiritual well-being of the entire nation. This reflects the biblical principle that sin must be exposed and dealt with openly, as seen in Ephesians 5:11, which calls believers to expose the deeds of darkness. The call to not shield aligns with the broader biblical narrative of justice and righteousness, where God's people are called to uphold truth and integrity. 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 entice others to worship other gods, contrary to the covenant with Yahweh. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, where they must remain faithful to God. 5. CovenantThe agreement between God and Israel, requiring exclusive worship and obedience to Yahweh. Teaching Points Unyielding Faithfulness to GodThe verse underscores the importance of unwavering loyalty to God, even when faced with close relationships that may lead us astray. The Seriousness of IdolatryIdolatry is not just a personal sin but a communal threat that must be addressed decisively to maintain the purity of worship. The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing God may require difficult decisions, including distancing oneself from those who would lead us away from Him. Community ResponsibilityThe community of believers has a responsibility to uphold God's standards and protect one another from spiritual harm. The Role of DisciplineDiscipline, though difficult, is necessary to preserve the integrity and holiness of the faith community. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Deuteronomy 13:8 challenge us to prioritize our relationship with God over personal relationships? 2. In what ways can we identify and resist modern forms of idolatry in our lives today? 3. How can the principles in this verse be applied to maintaining doctrinal purity within the church? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to support one another in staying faithful to God’s commands? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the principles found in Deuteronomy 13:8? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments emphasize the exclusive worship of Yahweh, prohibiting idolatry. Matthew 10:37Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship, prioritizing allegiance to Him over familial ties. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13Paul instructs the church on dealing with sin within the community, emphasizing purity and discipline. Galatians 1:8-9Paul warns against accepting any gospel contrary to the one preached, highlighting the importance of doctrinal purity. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Attention, Conceal, Consent, Cover, Eye, Guided, Hearken, Listen, Mercy, Pity, Screen, Shield, Spare, YieldDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:1-9 8771 idolatry, objections Deuteronomy 13:1-11 8706 apostasy, warnings Deuteronomy 13:6-8 5165 listening
5692 friends, bad
8138 monotheism
8315 orthodoxy, in OT Deuteronomy 13:6-9 6691 mercy, human Deuteronomy 13:6-10 5557 stoning
8160 seeking God Deuteronomy 13:6-11 4366 stones
5623 witnesses, legal 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 13:8 NIVDeuteronomy 13:8 NLTDeuteronomy 13:8 ESVDeuteronomy 13:8 NASBDeuteronomy 13:8 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:8 Commentaries
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