Deu 13:1 | MHM | STEP | Deuteronomy 13:1-5: Cautions Against Idolatry In this section, Moses warns the Israelites to be very careful about anyone who tries to lead them into idolatry, even if that person claims to be a prophet or performs signs or wonders. The main lesson is that God’s people must never let anyone, no matter how convincing, turn them away from worshipping the one true God. God sometimes allows these tests to see if His people truly love and obey Him. vv. 1-2 : Moses presents a surprising scenario: someone among the Israelites might pretend to be a prophet and try to persuade the people to follow other gods ( v. 1, 2 ). It seems hard to believe that someone with knowledge of God could act this way, but it can happen—even today, when people encourage others to worship God in the wrong way or honor saints and angels as if they were gods. It is also strange that this false prophet’s sign or wonder might actually happen, but Moses says the people must not believe him if he tells them to serve other gods. The truth about God must never be changed, no matter what miracles are claimed (Gal. 1:8; 2 Thess. 2:9 ).

‏ Deuteronomy 13:1

Deuteronomy 13:1-5: Cautions Against Idolatry

In this section, Moses warns the Israelites to be very careful about anyone who tries to lead them into idolatry, even if that person claims to be a prophet or performs signs or wonders. The main lesson is that God’s people must never let anyone, no matter how convincing, turn them away from worshipping the one true God. God sometimes allows these tests to see if His people truly love and obey Him.

vv. 1-2: Moses presents a surprising scenario: someone among the Israelites might pretend to be a prophet and try to persuade the people to follow other gods (v. 1, 2 ^a). It seems hard to believe that someone with knowledge of God could act this way, but it can happen—even today, when people encourage others to worship God in the wrong way or honor saints and angels as if they were gods. It is also strange that this false prophet’s sign or wonder might actually happen, but Moses says the people must not believe him if he tells them to serve other gods. The truth about God must never be changed, no matter what miracles are claimed (Gal. 1:8; 2 Thess. 2:9 ^b).