Deu 13:9-11 | KingComments | STEP | Here, family relationships and friendships are involved ( ). A ‘friend, who is as your own soul’ (cf. ), is a friend who is so closely connected that it is as if one soul expresses itself by means of two bodies. Of a seduction by someone with whom we have the most intimate relationship, we have an example in the seduction by Eve of Adam. If intimate ties in any relationship bring us on a path that deviates from the Lord and the Word, we must radically break with them. It takes a lot of spiritual strength. We may well know how to act in certain situations in matters of disciplinary actions, but when it comes to one’s own husband or wife, son or daughter, brother or sister, or dear friends, sometimes quite different actions can be taken. The gods who are near are those of the neighboring peoples such as Edom, Moab and Ammon. The gods far away are such of Babel and Persia. Moses includes all the nations of the earth in his warning, for all the nations of the earth have their gods. This shows the generality of idolatry. The most common idol is seen in the celestial bodies that can be seen everywhere above the whole earth. This warning applies just as much to the church today. The oriental religions are increasingly exerting their influence. A mass mingling takes place. In the sermon at the funeral of Queen Juliana (Queen of the Netherlands) on March 30, 2004, the remonstrant female pastor referred to John 14 ( ). She said: ‘She [Queen Juliana] was convinced that many roads lead to the one God. Or, as Jesus poetically said, In My Father’s house are many dwelling places.’ In this way the Word of God is cunningly falsified. The female preacher quoted a word from the Lord Jesus to prove that there is a place for all religions in the Father’s house. This concealed call to idolatry, in which an apostasy to God is presented, is an evil that should have no place in the church of God. Someone who is tempted should not give in to the temptation. He must turn away from it with disgust and indignation. The words “you shall not … listen to him” may also refer to the question of the tempter not to report it if the tempted person does not give in to his temptation. Then the secret can be kept secret and he can continue his pernicious work with others. In this way he, and thereby evil, is protected. But God’s commandments must always govern over human feelings ( ). When stoning, the first witness of evil must be the first to take the stone and throw it. With this the witness shows that he has no part in the seduction and also confirms his testimony about the seducer. He cannot accuse someone and leave the execution of the judgment to others. This involvement will keep someone from lightly accusing someone else. Then it becomes a matter for the whole people. The exercise of discipline is not a private matter. The stoning does not happen with a few stones, but continues until the guilty person is dead. This action can only be understood if we can empathize to some extent with what sin means to a holy God. If we love the truth above all else, we can come to disregard these bonds when God’s holiness is at stake. As to the choice between the Lord Jesus and the family, the Lord Jesus says: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” ( ; ; ). Judgment of evil is a fulfillment of God’s holiness. Judgment of evil also has a warning and frightening effect ( ). Those involved in the exercise of judgment will be aware that the same will happen to them if they commit such an evil.

‏ Deuteronomy 13:9-11

Hidden Temptation to Apostacy

Here, family relationships and friendships are involved (Mic 7:5). A ‘friend, who is as your own soul’ (cf. 1Sam 18:3), is a friend who is so closely connected that it is as if one soul expresses itself by means of two bodies. Of a seduction by someone with whom we have the most intimate relationship, we have an example in the seduction by Eve of Adam.

If intimate ties in any relationship bring us on a path that deviates from the Lord and the Word, we must radically break with them. It takes a lot of spiritual strength. We may well know how to act in certain situations in matters of disciplinary actions, but when it comes to one’s own husband or wife, son or daughter, brother or sister, or dear friends, sometimes quite different actions can be taken.

The gods who are near are those of the neighboring peoples such as Edom, Moab and Ammon. The gods far away are such of Babel and Persia. Moses includes all the nations of the earth in his warning, for all the nations of the earth have their gods. This shows the generality of idolatry. The most common idol is seen in the celestial bodies that can be seen everywhere above the whole earth.

This warning applies just as much to the church today. The oriental religions are increasingly exerting their influence. A mass mingling takes place. In the sermon at the funeral of Queen Juliana (Queen of the Netherlands) on March 30, 2004, the remonstrant female pastor referred to John 14 (Jn 14:2). She said: ‘She [Queen Juliana] was convinced that many roads lead to the one God. Or, as Jesus poetically said, In My Father’s house are many dwelling places.’

In this way the Word of God is cunningly falsified. The female preacher quoted a word from the Lord Jesus to prove that there is a place for all religions in the Father’s house. This concealed call to idolatry, in which an apostasy to God is presented, is an evil that should have no place in the church of God.

Someone who is tempted should not give in to the temptation. He must turn away from it with disgust and indignation. The words “you shall not … listen to him” may also refer to the question of the tempter not to report it if the tempted person does not give in to his temptation. Then the secret can be kept secret and he can continue his pernicious work with others. In this way he, and thereby evil, is protected. But God’s commandments must always govern over human feelings (Zec 13:3).

When stoning, the first witness of evil must be the first to take the stone and throw it. With this the witness shows that he has no part in the seduction and also confirms his testimony about the seducer. He cannot accuse someone and leave the execution of the judgment to others. This involvement will keep someone from lightly accusing someone else. Then it becomes a matter for the whole people. The exercise of discipline is not a private matter. The stoning does not happen with a few stones, but continues until the guilty person is dead.

This action can only be understood if we can empathize to some extent with what sin means to a holy God. If we love the truth above all else, we can come to disregard these bonds when God’s holiness is at stake. As to the choice between the Lord Jesus and the family, the Lord Jesus says: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10:37; Exo 32:25-29; Deu 33:9).

Judgment of evil is a fulfillment of God’s holiness. Judgment of evil also has a warning and frightening effect (Acts 5:10-11). Those involved in the exercise of judgment will be aware that the same will happen to them if they commit such an evil.