Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

13:1 Much of OT law is "case law," supposing a particular situation and its right response. Here, each situation is introduced with if (vv. 6, 12). prophet or a dreamer of dreams. Both would lay claim to divine revelatory authority.

13:2 Two things must occur in this scenario. First, the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass. A miracle or sign in itself is not, however, proof of God's direction since these can be performed other than under God's power (see the Egyptian magicians [e.g., Ex. 7:22] and Simon the Sorcerer [Acts 8:9]). But a word that did not come to pass was a clear indication that the Lord did not give it and that its speaker was not the Lord's spokesman (Deut. 18:21-22). The second condition is that the oracle-monger says, Let us go after other gods. This theological test is essential.

13:3 For the Lord your God is testing you. The Lord is testing faithfulness to himself by allowing false prophets to appear among his people. The warning is that fulfilled signs and wonders can be deceptive, and when accompanied by false teaching, they are not from the Lord. love. See 4:37-39 and note.

13:4 walk . . . fear. See 10:12-13, 20 and notes there. hold fast. See note on 4:3-4.

13:5 Israel must not only refuse to listen to the prophet or dreamer, they must put that person to death. He has broken the first commandment, a breach made clearer by the phrase who brought you out of the land of Egypt (see 5:6-7). 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, 12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7 (the death penalty is implied in these cases). Just as Israel is to destroy all pagans from the land, so are they to purge any apostate Israelites, like they would a contagious infection (cf. excommunication in 1 Cor. 5:13). Capital punishment therefore is not only retributive but also protective of the community.

13:6 In this second scenario, the stakes are higher in that the rebellious person may be a relative, spouse, or your friend who is as your own soul. Allegiance to the Lord is to take priority even over such close and beloved personal relations (cf. Luke 14:26-33).

13:8 The command you shall not yield to him suggests strong pressure being exerted by the person inviting to apostasy. nor shall your eye pity him. Cf. 7:2, where Israel is to show no mercy to Canaanite pagans; this treacherous Israelite is to be treated the same way. nor shall you conceal him. Loving the Lord with all one's heart and soul precludes protecting such a loved one.

13:11 Capital punishment is also a deterrent so that other Israelites do not act likewise (see note on v. 5).

13:12-13 The first two scenarios above assume a lack of success in the attempts to lead Israelites astray. The third scenario is when certain worthless fellows have succeeded in drawing inhabitants of their city away from the Lord.

13:14 you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. The hearsay of v. 12 must be checked carefully to ensure it is true and certain, not mere rumor.

13:15-17 Not only the instigator but the whole city must be treated as if it were a Canaanite city within the land, for the city allowed the "worthless fellows" (v. 13) to continue leading people astray. devoting it to destruction. See 2:34-35; 7:2, and note on 20:16-18. The city is also to be burned, which in the land-conquest happened only to Hazor (Josh. 11:13). This law was carried out in the case of Gibeah's rebellion (Judg. 20:37-40). An open square or piazza was a common feature in Israelite cities. A good example is at Beersheba (Iron Age II), where the square measured 258 sq. yards (216 sq. m) and could have held hundreds of people and tons of material. devoted things. Israel was not to keep any of the spoil for themselves. Cf. Achan's sin (Josh. 7:10-15).