Deutéronome - Caput 13

Deutéronome 13.1 Quod praecipio tibi hoc tantum facito Domino nec addas quidquam, nec minuas Deutéronome 13.2 si surrexerit in medio tui prophetes aut qui somnium vidisse se dicat et praedixerit signum atque portentum Deutéronome 13.3 et evenerit quod locutus est et dixerit tibi eamus et sequamur deos alienos quos ignoras et serviamus eis Deutéronome 13.4 non audies verba prophetae illius aut somniatoris quia temptat vos Dominus Deus vester ut palam fiat utrum diligatis eum an non in toto corde et in tota anima vestra Deutéronome 13.5 Dominum Deum vestrum sequimini et ipsum timete mandata illius custodite et audite vocem eius ipsi servietis et ipsi adherebitis Deutéronome 13.6 propheta autem ille aut fictor somniorum interficietur quia locutus est ut vos averteret a Domino Deo vestro qui eduxit vos de terra Aegypti et redemit de domo servitutis ut errare te faceret de via quam tibi praecepit Dominus Deus tuus et auferes malum de medio tui Deutéronome 13.7 si tibi voluerit persuadere frater tuus filius matris tuae aut filius tuus vel filia sive uxor quae est in sinu tuo aut amicus quem diligis ut animam tuam clam dicens eamus et serviamus diis alienis quos ignoras tu et patres tui Deutéronome 13.8 cunctarum in circuitu gentium quae iuxta vel procul sunt ab initio usque ad finem terrae Deutéronome 13.9 non adquiescas ei nec audias neque parcat ei oculus tuus ut miserearis et occultes eum Deutéronome 13.10 sed statim interficies sit primum manus tua super eum et post te omnis populus mittat manum Deutéronome 13.11 lapidibus obrutus necabitur quia voluit te abstrahere a Domino Deo tuo qui eduxit te de terra Aegypti de domo servitutis Deutéronome 13.12 ut omnis Israhel audiens timeat et nequaquam ultra faciat quippiam huius rei simile Deutéronome 13.13 si audieris in una urbium tuarum quas Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi ad habitandum dicentes aliquos Deutéronome 13.14 egressi sunt filii Belial de medio tui et averterunt habitatores urbis tuae atque dixerunt eamus et serviamus diis alienis quos ignoratis Deutéronome 13.15 quaere sollicite et diligenter rei veritate perspecta si inveneris certum esse quod dicitur et abominationem hanc opere perpetratam Deutéronome 13.16 statim percuties habitatores urbis illius in ore gladii et delebis eam omniaque quae in illa sunt usque ad pecora Deutéronome 13.17 quicquid etiam supellectilis fuerit congregabis in medium platearum eius et cum ipsa civitate succendes ita ut universa consumas Domino Deo tuo et sit tumulus sempiternus non aedificabitur amplius Deutéronome 13.18 et non adherebit de illo anathemate quicquam in manu tua ut avertatur Dominus ab ira furoris sui et misereatur tui multiplicetque te sicut iuravit patribus tuis Deutéronome 13.19 quando audieris vocem Domini Dei tui custodiens omnia praecepta eius quae ego praecipio tibi hodie ut facias quod placitum est in conspectu Domini Dei tui

Deutéronome : Caput 13

Reflection on Deuteronomy Chapter 13 Deuteronomy chapter 13 is a solemn call to vigilance against apostasy. It questions how Israel should respond to the idolatrous seductions that threaten it. This incisive passage addresses three scenarios of temptation: false prophets, seductive family members, and apostate cities. The essence of this chapter is based on exclusive loyalty to Yahweh, the severity of divine judgment on idolatry, and the communal responsibility to maintain spiritual purity.

Meditating on Biblical Passages

To deepen our understanding of the crucial principles of this warning chapter, let's meditate on five significant biblical passages:

Matthew 24:24

“For false Christs and false prophets will appear, performing great signs and wonders, so as, if possible, to deceive even the elect.” - Jesus warns us here about false prophets, a direct echo of the teachings of Deuteronomy 13:1-5.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, pretending to be apostles of Christ. No wonder, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” - The apostle Paul warns against false leaders, reinforcing the warnings in Deuteronomy 13.

1 John 4:1

“Beloved, do not believe in any spirit, but examine the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” - The apostle John urges us to be discerning, just as Deuteronomy 13 calls us to be wary of false prophets.

Galatians 1:8-9

“But even if we or an angel from heaven preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be accursed!” - Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine faith, reaffirming Deuteronomy 13's warnings against apostasy.

Revelation 2:2

“I know your works, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate evil men, and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found them impostors.” - This passage commends the church at Ephesus for its commitment to testing false prophets, a fundamental principle found in Deuteronomy 13.

As we reflect on these passages, may our commitment to God and our community be renewed, so that we may stand firm in the faith in the face of the challenges of our time.