CHAPTER XIII _Of false prophets and their lying signs_, 1-6. _Of those who endeavour to entice and seduce people to idolatry_, 7-8. _The punishment of such_, 9-11. _Of cities perverted from the pure worship of God_, 12-14. _How that city is to be treated_, 15. _All the spoil of it to be destr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 13:3. _THE LORD YOUR GOD PROVETH YOU_] God permits such impostors to arise to try the faith of his followers, and to put their religious experience to the test; for he who experimentally knows God cannot be drawn away after _idols_. He who has no _experimental_ knowledge of God, ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 13:6. _IF THY BROTHER - OR THY SON_] The teacher of idolatry was to be put to death; and so strict was this order that a man must neither spare nor conceal his _brother, son, daughter, wife_, nor _friend_, because this was the highest offence that could be committed against God, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 13:13. _CHILDREN OF BELIAL_] בליעל, from בל _bal, not_, and יעל _yaal, profit_; - _Sept_. ανδρες παρανομοι, _lawless_ _men_; - persons _good for nothing_ to themselves or others, and capable of nothing but mischief.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 13:15. _THOU SHALT SURELY SMITE THE INHABITANTS_] If one city were permitted to practise idolatry, the evil would soon spread, therefore the contagion must be destroyed in its birth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 13:17. _AND THERE SHALL CLEAVE NAUGHT OF THE CURSED THING_] As God did not permit them to take the spoils of these idolatrous cities, they could be under no temptation to make war upon them. It could only be done through a merely religious motive, in obedience to the command of God... [ Continue Reading ]