Deuteronomy 13 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 13 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

OUTLINE:

• HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE PROMOTING IDOLATRY (13:1-18):

  • At the end of Deuteronomy 12, Moses began warning the people about the temptation to idolatry when they entered Canaan. In chapter 13, he continues those warnings and tells the people how to deal with individuals who tried to entice others to worship false gods.

  • If a prophet or “dreamer” arose amongst the people and enticed them to worship pagan gods, his words were to be disregarded and he was to be put to death.

  • If anyone in the camp of Israel was discovered encouraging others to worship idols, no matter how close the relation to that person (brother, best friend, etc), the person who discovered it was required to report it.

  • The person promoting the idolatry was to be stoned.

  • The public stoning of that person was to be a warning to others who might considering doing the same in the future.

  • If an entire town was discovered to be participating in idolatry, the inhabitants of the town were to be killed, everything in the town was to be burned, and the town was not to be rebuilt.

APPLICATION:

• As you read through the Bible, you’ll find God reserved some of His harshest condemnations for those who lead others into sin.

• In Matthew’s writings, Jesus said, “…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mat 18:6).

• As believers, we need to take this warning very seriously.

• God will not be kind to people who intentionally promoted and led others into sin.