Deuteronomy 13:18

_IF THOU SHALT HEAR SAY IN ONE OF THY CITIES, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD HATH GIVEN THEE TO DWELL THERE, SAYING,_ Certain men, the children of Belial, х_ BªNEEY_ (H1121) _ BªLIYA`AL_ (H1100)]. "Belial," always moral worthlessness: "sons of Belial," they are wicked men-lawless, designing demagogues (Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 1:16; 1 Samuel 25:25), who abused their influence to withdraw the inhabitants of the city to idol-worship. [The Septuagint has: andres paranomoi, perverse men, transgressors of the law.] Verse 14. THEN SHALT THOU INQUIRE - i:e., the magistrate, to whom it officially belonged to m

18._When thou shalt hearken. _Although this sentence depends on something else, (as may be seen by referring to it,) yet is it general, and extends to the commendation of the whole Law. Moses teaches first, that the rule of a holy life must be sought from the mouth of God; and then adds that He must be obeyed not partially, but universally. He confirms also what I have said respecting obedience, for men only please God when they listen to His voice. Moreover, the expression is worth our notice, wherein Moses only assumes for himself the character of a minister, and claims power for God alone; for he says that he commands, but expressly explains that the commandments which he sets before them are God’s....

12-18 Here is the case of a city revolting from the God of Israel, and serving other gods. The crime is supposed to be committed by one of the cities of Israel. Even when they were ordered to preserve their religion by force, yet they were not allowed to bring others to it by fire and sword. Spiritual judgments under the Christian dispensation are more terrible than the execution of criminals; we have not less cause than the Israelites had, to fear the Divine wrath. Let us then fear the spiritual idolatry of covetousness, and the love of worldly pleasure; and be careful not to countenance them in our families, by our example or by the education of our children. May the Lord write his law and truth in our hearts, there set up his throne, and shed abroad his love!...

EXPOSITION IDOLATERS AND ENTICERS TO IDOLATRY TO BE PUT TO DEATH. DEUTERONOMY 13:1 The case supposed here is that of one professing to have supernatural intelligence, who should, by giving a sign or a wonder, endeavor to draw away the people to idolatry. Such a one was to be put to death. DEUTERONOMY 13:1 A PROPHET (_nabhi_,_ _נבָיִא); one who speaks from God, an interpreter to men of what God reveals or suggests to him (of. for the meaning of the word,...

WHEN THOU SHALT HEARKEN TO THE VOICE OF THE LORD THY GOD,.... Not only in this case, but in all others: TO KEEP ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND THEE THIS DAY: the repetition of which he made unto them, and enjoined the observance of them in the name of the Lord: TO DO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD THY GOD; which they would do, if they kept the commandments of the Lord, which are holy, just, and good, and must be right in his sight because commanded by him....

9. WARNINGS AGAINST FALSE PROPHETS AND THEIR PUNISHMENT CHAPTER 13 _ 1. The first case: The false prophet and dreamer (Deuteronomy 13:1)_ 2. The second case: Temptation to idolatry from blood-relations (Deuteronomy 13:6) 3. The third case: The apostasy of a city (Deuteronomy 13:12) Three cases are mentioned. The false prophet or a dreamer of dreams, who confirms his claims by a sign or a miracle, yet whose aim is to seduce to idolatry, is to be put to death. False teaching, which leads from God, is an abomination. It results finally in the most awful moral corruption. A false prophet may do signs and wonders to prove thereby that what he teaches is truth. Si

DEUTERONOMY 12:29 TO DEUTERONOMY 13:1. Yahwism must be kept free from all taint of Canaanite heathenism when Israel has entered Canaan. The danger would arise from the ancient belief that everyone should worship the god of the country in which he resides. D is an uncompromising Yahwist. DEUTERONOMY 12:32 TO DEUTERONOMY 13:18. Three classes of seducers to idolatry to be put to death. (_a)_ The false prophet (Deuteronomy 12:32 to...

THIS DAY. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26....

LESSON TEN DEUTERONOMY 12:29 TO DEUTERONOMY 13:18; DEUTERONOMY 17:2-13 2. ONE GOD: DEATH PENALTIES FOR APOSTASY (Deuteronomy 12:29 to Deuteronomy 13:18; Deuteronomy 17:2-13) 29 When Jehovah thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest in to dispossess them, and thou dispossessest them, and dwellest in their land; 30 take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared

WARNINGS AGAINST TEMPTATIONS TO IDOLATRY The people are warned against three possible sources of temptation to idolatry, viz. the false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:1), an erring member of the family (Deuteronomy 13:6), and an apostate city (Deuteronomy 13:12). In each case the tempter or tempters must he put to death without mercy....