Deut. 13:1–18 Much of OT law is “case law,” which explains the correct legal response to specific situations. Here, each situation is introduced with if (vv. 1, 6, 12).
Deut. 13:2 sign or wonder. The Bible records miracles from sources other than the Lord, e.g., the Egyptian magicians (Ex. 7:22; etc.) and Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9).
Deut. 13:3 For the Lord your God is testing you. The Lord uses false prophets to test his people’s faithfulness. Signs and wonders, when accompanied by false teaching, are not from the Lord. love. See 4:37–39 and note.
Deut. 13:4 walk . . . fear. See 10:12–13, 20 and notes on Deuteronomy 10:12–13; and Deuteronomy 10:20. hold fast. See note on 4:3–4.
Deut. 13:5 Even though the prophet or dreamer of dreams is used by God to test Israel, that person is not innocent. purge the evil from your midst. See 17:7; 21:21 (the death penalty is implied in these cases). Israel is commanded not to allow any unbelieving Israelites to live among them (compare 1 Cor. 5:13).
Deut. 13:6 Faithfulness to the Lord takes priority even over close personal relations (compare Luke 14:26–33).
Deut. 13:8 Even if a beloved friend tries to lead a person astray, you shall not yield to him.
Deut. 13:11 Besides punishing the offender, capital punishment serves as a warning to others (see note on v. 5).
Deut. 13:12–17 Rumors of apostasy must be checked carefully (inquire and make search and ask diligently) to ensure that they are true and certain. If the rumors prove to be true, then not just the worthless fellows who led the apostasy but also all the inhabitants of that city must die, because they allowed the apostasy to go unchecked. devoting it to destruction. See 2:34–35 and note.
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