Deuteronomy: At Journey's EndSample

Truth Matters

Jesus said, ‘Consider carefully what you hear’ and ‘how you listen’ (Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18). His words are a perfect heading for Deuteronomy 13. There are always false prophets and false teachers around (Matt. 24:23–25; 2 Thes. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1). Deuteronomy 13 raises up a salutary banner of warning and offers three typical situations. 

In the first (vv. 1–5), the false teaching is backed by the evidence of a ‘sign or wonder’, which is offered as supernatural ‘proof’ of the teaching. That is not the proper test, says Moses. All teaching must be tested by fundamental truth. Is what is taught consistent with the Lord’s self-revelation at the exodus (v. 5)? The six verbs in verse 4 indicate the rigidity and firmness with which we are to hold and practise what the Lord has revealed and spoken. 

The second typical situation (vv. 6–11) imposes a different and very searching test on us – the pressure of people we love urging on us beliefs and practices which contradict what the Lord revealed at the exodus (v. 10). What a severe test if to hold to the truth means losing family and friends! But if we go with our dear ones, we lose the truth (cf. Luke 14:26). Again, the requirement is to test all teaching by fundamental truth. 

Moses has a third example to offer (vv. 12–17): the insidious attraction of popularity, going with the crowd and doing what ‘everyone is doing’. Here is a whole city going after false doctrine, enabling its advocates to apply the pressure by arguing, ‘But everyone believes it’. It is not always easy to stand out from the crowd, is it? Yet we must stand up and be counted. 

When we read of the penalty to be imposed on the false teachers (vv. 5, 9–10, 15–16), please let not our first reaction be horror. The penalties were for then, and as far as we are concerned they are intended to make us aware of the frightful seriousness of the error involved – departing from basic revelation. All these penalties are what this sin merits. How intent, then, we should be to steer clear of it, instead following through verse 4 and the concluding summary verse 18. Hold to the word of God.

Reflection

Consider how we too are urged, ‘Test everything. Hold on to the good’ (1 Thes. 5:21).