Deut. 12:32-13:18
Q.1. Can false prophets be identified by signs? How passionately was Israel to maintain their relationship with God? – (Dt.12:32-13:5)
In Deuteronomy 18:20-22, Moses addresses the treatment of a presumptuous prophet whose predictions do not come to pass. Here he went further, recording that a prophet may in fact accurately predict some sign or wonder that misleads people, yet must not be followed. Signs and wonders are not proof of truthfulness. Neither should a prophet be followed, when – … he has counselled rebellion against the Lord your God … to seduce you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk (Dt.13:5). False prophets and teachers will inevitably arise and can be used to achieve God’s purpose – 3 …for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him (Dt.13:3-4). False prophets were to be put to death.
Q.2. Why was it crucial to guard against those leading the nation into idolatry? Why was such drastic action demanded against idolaters? – (Dt.13:6-11)
Jesus predicted that trouble would spring up from within the family (Mt.10:21 & 36). Similarly, Israel was to guard against close family members who might entice them to serve other gods. Such people were to be resisted and no pity shown in executing God’s judgment against them. Consequently, this would act as a deterrent in the land.
Q.3. What safeguards were built into accusations of those advocating other gods? What would be the impact of the destruction of idolaters from the land? – (Dt.13:12-18)
However, such drastic action required safeguards – then you shall investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established that this abomination has been done among you (Dt.13:14). If a city turned to ‘other gods that Israel had not known’ the whole city was to be placed under the ban and marked for destruction. Later this judgment would be carried out in Israel over the rape and murder of a Levite’s concubine. The ensuing battle almost wiped out all the fighting men in the tribe of Benjamin but not without massive losses from all the tribes of some sixty five thousand soldiers. (Jdgs.19 and 20). Such capital punishment was to avert a greater punishment – divine judgment.