Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 13
Overview:
Enticers to
Idolatry to be
Put to
Death.
(1-5) Relations who
entice to
Idolatry not to be spared.
(6-11) Idolatrous cities
not to be spared.
(12-18)
1-5 Moses had cautioned against the peril that might arise from
the
Canaanites. Here he cautions against the rise of
Idolatry
among themselves. It is needful for us to be
Well acquainted
with the truths and precepts of the
Bible; for we may expect to
be proved
By temptations of evil under the appearance of good,
of error in the guise of
Truth; nor can any thing rightly oppose
such temptations, but the
Plain, express
Testimony of
God's
Word
to the contrary. And it would be a proof of sincere
Affection
for
God, that, notwithstanding specious pretences, they should
not be wrought upon to forsake
God, and follow other gods to
serve them.
6-11 It is the policy of
Satan to try to lead us to evil
By
those whom we
Love, whom we least suspect of any ill design, and
whom we are desirous to please, and apt to conform to. The
enticement here is supposed to come from a
Brother or
Child, who
are near
By nature; from a
Wife or friend, who are near
By
choice, and are to us as our souls. But it is our duty to prefer
God and religion, before the nearest and dearest friends we have
in the world. We must not, to please our friends, break
God's
Law. Thou shalt not consent to him, nor go with him, not for
company, or curiosity, not to gain his affections. It is a
general rule, If sinners entice thee, consent thou not, Pr
1:10. And we must not hinder the course of
God's
Justice.
12-18 Here is the case of a
City revolting from the
God of
Israel, and serving other gods. The crime is supposed to be
committed
By one of the cities of
Israel. Even when they were
ordered to preserve their religion
By force, yet they were not
allowed to bring others to it
By Fire and
Sword. Spiritual
judgments under the
Christian Dispensation are more terrible
than the execution of criminals; we have not less cause than the
Israelites had, to fear the Divine wrath. Let us then fear the
spiritual
Idolatry of
Covetousness, and the
Love of worldly
pleasure; and be careful not to countenance them in our
families,
By our
Example or
By the education of our children.
May the
Lord write his
Law and
Truth in our hearts, there set up
his
Throne, and shed abroad his
Love!