Deuteronomy
chapter 13 is directed toward the nation of Israel as they are
heading into enemy territory. These soldiers and warriors must
understand they are heading into a spiritual battle every bit as
important as the physical struggle they must win. Moses warns of any
false prophet that “foretells
by dreams”
or announces a miraculous sign which takes place as he predicted. If
the prophet says, “let
us follow other gods and let us worship them“;
“You
must not listen to the words of that prophet… God is testing you to
see if whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your
soul“.
Moses reminds them they must follow the True God, “Revere
Him. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to
Him“.
Notice, the people intimately know the true God “that
brought you out of slavery and redeemed you“.
The only way for believers today to recognize “false gods” is to
know the truth of God’s Word. All of the cults mix some scripture
with lies to preach “false gods”. It is not enough to be sincere
in your desire to worship God. Spiritual maturity requires “rightly
dividing the word of truth”
(2 Tim 2:15).
Hear
the absolute decisiveness that is required in the spiritual battle
Israel must win: “That
prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached
rebellion against the Lord… purge evil from among you”.
“Even if it is your own brother… or the wife you love… saying,
“Let us follow other gods”… show him no pity. Do not spare him
or shield him.”
Moses continues, “Your
hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of
the people… then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one
among you will do such an evil thing again“.
For Israel the consequences were life and death, but more
importantly in order for the promise of God to be fulfilled, Israel
must remain undefiled. Remember the three-part promise to Abraham
was: a great Nation, the Land, and the Savior. From the beginning
Satan’s plan was to prevent the birth of Christ. Now, having
failed at that, he tries to prevent the salvation of each of us
through deception. Please understand, nowhere are followers of
Christ told to put to death those that teach false doctrine. On the
contrary we are commanded to “love
our enemies”
(Matthew 5:44).
The
chapter ends with another radical command. Moses tells the nation,
“If
you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord has given you…
that wicked men have led the people astray… inquire, probe and
investigate thoroughly. And if it is true and has been proved… put
the sword to all who live in the town… gather all the plunder and
completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt
offering to the Lord… it shall remain in ruin forever“.
And the result of this, “The
Lord will turn from His fierce anger; He will show you mercy, have
compassion on you… as He promised your forefathers.”
In order to thoroughly investigate, we must know God’s standard.
This is why we study God’s Word. “Then
we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and
blown here and there by every wind and teaching and by the cunning
and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming”
(Ephesians 4:14). Only then will we know how to “Do
what is right in His eyes“.