Deu 17:8-11 | KingComments | STEP | This section concerns a penalty imposed by a competent authority. Where one revolts against it, a spirit of rebellion, of recalcitrance becomes visible. There is a spirit of contradiction and rebellion against God. It is the evil of disobedience to God or to those who are vested with authority under Him. The occurrence of such contempt and self-will, must be dealt in the same way as with sorcery and idolatry. The purpose of the punishment is that others will hear and fear and not fall into the same evil. Some will be wise enough to refrain from crime. Others, if they have committed a crime and are punished, will rather submit to the judgment than sin against themselves and forfeit their lives by going against it. From this law the writer of the letter to the Hebrews deduces how severe is the punishment he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God and therewith His authority ( ). If a local authority makes a decision, it is the highest authority on earth. “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven” ( ). The scope of the decision is the whole earth. This is because the Lord Jesus connects His presence to that local church: “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” ( ). In the priest comes to the fore. Priests know God’s thoughts best because they are used to being in His presence. This determines the spiritual mind. Any brother or sister can be that priest. It is not about the gift that someone has, but about the mind that someone has through his or her dealings with God.

‏ Deuteronomy 17:8-11

Jurisdiction in Difficult Cases

This section concerns a penalty imposed by a competent authority. Where one revolts against it, a spirit of rebellion, of recalcitrance becomes visible. There is a spirit of contradiction and rebellion against God. It is the evil of disobedience to God or to those who are vested with authority under Him. The occurrence of such contempt and self-will, must be dealt in the same way as with sorcery and idolatry.

The purpose of the punishment is that others will hear and fear and not fall into the same evil. Some will be wise enough to refrain from crime. Others, if they have committed a crime and are punished, will rather submit to the judgment than sin against themselves and forfeit their lives by going against it. From this law the writer of the letter to the Hebrews deduces how severe is the punishment he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God and therewith His authority (Heb 10:28-29).

If a local authority makes a decision, it is the highest authority on earth. “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven” (Mt 18:18). The scope of the decision is the whole earth. This is because the Lord Jesus connects His presence to that local church: “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Mt 18:20).

In Deu 17:9 the priest comes to the fore. Priests know God’s thoughts best because they are used to being in His presence. This determines the spiritual mind. Any brother or sister can be that priest. It is not about the gift that someone has, but about the mind that someone has through his or her dealings with God.