Devarim 13 (Deuteronomy 13)
Devarim 13 is a critical chapter for authenticating a prophet from those who are sons of belial. Moshe warned the people that there will arise prophets, some will be true and some will be false. They were not to authenticate a prophet based on the miracles they performed. They were to authenticate a prophet based on whether they led the people to serve and follow Yehovah. A false prophet would draw away people to follow false and imaginary redeemers. Yehovah would allow this to prove the people’s hearts. Yehovah wanted the people to follow Him, His commandments and His voice, and not the words of the prophet. This seriously questions the validity of Christianity, since most do not follow the commandment of Yehovah to this day. In many ways, Rabbinic Judaism is guilty of not following Yehovah’s commandments. However, the commandments are not the issue. Whether or not we follow Yehovah of Torah is the real issue we are faced with today. Keeping the commandments in the Newness of the Spirit is a result of a footstep follower who loves Yehovah with all their heart, soul and might.
Yehovah is used 11 times in Devarim 13.
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Prophet Arise
Prophet Arise
Devarim 13:1
1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder,
Since the beginning of time, there have been many who claimed to be a prophet sent by God. Often they would make predictions or perform some sign or wonder. The question will always be, how do we authenticate the individual as a prophet of Yehovah?
Are we to trust their predictions or wonders?
Today there has been a proliferation of people that have made predictions. Again how do we know if they are authentic?
This is the focus of Devarim 13. It provides a definitive approach for determining a prophet’s authenticity. It should be applied to all who claim to be sent of God or in the ministry. This includes all Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. If one does not stringently meet the requirements of Devarim 13, they should never be allowed a position of authority or even a voice in the Body of Messiah. Devarim 13 provides the definitive test for determining a person’s authenticity. This includes the authenticity of Messiah.
The Proof
The Proof
Devarim 13:2-3
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other redeemers, which you have not known, and let us serve them; 3 you shall not hearken to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams. For Yehovah your Redeemer proves you, to know whether you love Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart and with all your soul.
We do not authenticate an individual based on the sign, wonder or prophecy. Whether or not their word or signs and wonders come to pass is not the determining factor. The real test is where they draw you to. If they lead to a path of a redeemer other than Yehovah, they are a false prophet.
Here is the catch, Moshe states, “which you have not known.” One will not know that it is a redeemer other than Yehovah, unless they know who Yehovah is. This is the problem with most people. They cannot authenticate if the redeemer is Yehovah or not, because they do not know Yehovah. One must first know it is Yehovah or have a way that leads to Yehovah. Once they know Yehovah then they can authenticate the prophet. One can only know it is Yehovah through Torah and other authenticated writings. The only other authenticated writings prior to the First Century were the Neviim and Kesuvim (Prophets and Writings). The authenticity of the New Testament will be discussed later.
Yehovah allows false prophets to exist to prove what is in our hearts. It is the determining factor if one actually loves God. If one loves Yehovah, they will authenticate a prophet prior to being taken by a sign or wonder. They will authenticate the purpose and intent of the prophet.
All true prophets will draw people to follow Yehovah with all their heart and soul. We need to be attentive to this. We need to love Yehovah above all things, including ourselves.
The Criteria
The Criteria
Devarim 13:4
4 You shall walk after Yehovah your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cleave to Him.
If Yehovah sends someone, they will always lead us to Yehovah. They will do things that will cause us to fear Yehovah and keep His commandments in Torah. They will draw us to Yehovah so that we will obey His voice and cleave to Him.
Others may be able to prophesy or perform signs and wonders; however, these are not the determining factor. The determining factor is whether or not their words affirm walking after Yehovah our Redeemer. It is whether or not their words lead to observing Yehovah’s commandments. It is whether or not we obey Yehovah’s voice. It is whether or not the prophet’s words teach us to serve and cleave to Yehovah.
This makes it pretty simple. If one teaches that Torah is not for today, they were not sent by Yehovah. Do not listen to these people, they are not authentic. The are false in their message.
Cleave is the Hebrew word דָּבַק davaq (H1692). It is in the Bible 54 times. דָּבַק davaq (H1692) is translated cleave 32 times, follow hard 5 times, overtake 3 times, stick 3 times, keep fast 2 times, …together 2 times, abide 1 time, close 1 time, joined 1 time, pursued 1 time and take 1 time. It means to cling, cleave or keep close. In modern Hebrew, דָּבַק davaq (H1692) means to stick to or adhere to. It yields the noun form for glue and more abstract ideas of loyalty and devotion. It is first used in Bereishis 2:24.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave (davaq) to his wife. And they shall be one flesh (basar).
In this usage, cleave does not express the whole meaning intended here. A husband is to more than cleave to his wife, they are to be as one flesh. This means they are to become one unit indivisible. To be blended together such that they cannot be separated into their piece parts. Therefore, they cannot exist without each other. There are several uses of דָּבַק davaq (H1692) in Scriptures that express this concept. Probably the most significant example is Devarim 30:20.
20 That you may love Yehovah your Redeemer, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cleave (davaq) to Him. For He your life, and the length of your days. That you may dwell in the land which Yehovah swore to your fathers, to Avraham, to Yitzchaq and to Yaaqov, to give them.
This is probably one of the most significant Scriptures in the Bible. Salvation may sound great and it is, but if we are unwilling to fulfill Devarim 30:20; then we have missed the best part of life in God. We are to become one with Him. For the believer, our greatest desire should be to exist with Him. Therefore without Him, one in the Spirit, we would rather perish. Because the truth of the matter is, we will not know fulness of life until we learn how to completely fulfill Devarim 30:20.
Yehovah tells us in Devarim 30 that we should pursue life if we are to cleave to Him. This is because He is the greatest blessing we can receive in life. This comes through Devarim 30:15-18.
15 See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 in that I command you this day to love Yehovah your Redeemer, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply. And Yehovah your Redeemer shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. 17 But if your heart turn away, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other redeemers, and serve them; 18 I denounce to you this day, that you shall surely perish, you shall not prolong days upon the land, whither you pass over Yarden to go to possess it.
Could it be any clearer? If we love Yehovah, we are to walk in His ways. That means we are to keep His commandments, His statutes and His judgments. If a Prophet causes us to do anything different, they are a false prophet. Even Rut recognized this. Rut will use דָּבַק davaq (H1692) in Rut 1:14.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again. And Orpa kissed her mother in law; but Rut clave to her.
When Rut clave to Naomi, they became one. Rut could not separate herself from Naomi. No matter how hard she tried, Rut could no longer exist without Naomi. Rut had the mind that she would literally die if she did not stay with Naomi. At this point in Rut’s life, there was no decision to be made. It already had been made long ago. In the subsequent years since Rut made her decision, it only solidified Naomi and Rut as one entity.
Rut told Naomi in Rut 1:16-17.
16 And Rut said, Intreat me not to leave you, to return from following after you. For whither you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people my people, and Your Redeemer my Redeemer. 17 Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. Yehovah do so to me, and more also, but death part you and me.
She had to follow Naomi’s God. This meant she should observe the commandments, statutes and judgments. There is no exception to this. Even Yeshua had to fulfill this requirement. Every authentic prophet before and after Yeshua had to fulfill this same requirement.
If you listen to one that does not teach to observe Torah and cleave to Yehovah, then you may be following a false prophet. Either that or they are ignorant. If they are ignorant and you follow them, you may be just as ignorant. One cannot claim otherwise and be a prophet of Yehovah. We must always draw people to Yehovah to observe His commandments, to obey His voice and cleave to Him. We must always teach people to walk in His ways. Torah is the prime starter, the foundation we are to observe throughout our live time.
To Love Yehovah
To Love Yehovah
Today many claim to love the God of the Bible, yet refuse to follow His commandments. These people have a false love. They do not love Yehovah the God of Scriptures. They love the god they have created. They are guilty of Romans 1:21-25.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
These people serve and worship the god they created. This happens more often than not. Yeshua stated in Yochanan 10:27.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
This brings up several important questions for all followers of Yeshua. Do we know His voice? Do we hear His voice? Do we follow that voice?
Most important, is His voice leading us to Yehovah or away? Yeshua tells us in Yochanan 17:22-23.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one. 23 I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.
Yeshua claims to be one with the Father. The world will know that Yehovah sent Yeshua based on His followers. This is an important issue that must be definitively understood. We do not know Yeshua except by His followers. He did not leave us anything behind except what the Apostles and Prophets of the First Century wrote about Him. It is stated that Yehovah and Yeshua are one. Is this one in the same or one in thought? Earlier Yeshua stated in Yochanan 14:10.
10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words (rhema) that I speak to you I speak not of Myself, but the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works.
Yeshua claims that it is not His words, they are the words of the Father. Again in Yochanan 3:34.
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words (rhema) of God. For God gives not the Spirit by measure.
Again, Yeshua claims that His words are the words of God, Yochanan 7:16.
16 Yeshua answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.
Yeshua claims that His doctrine is not His personal doctrine. His doctrine is from the One who sent Him. If Yeshua’s doctrine is from the One that sent Him, then it would be the doctrine He taught His disciples. It would be the doctrine we should practice today.
These will be looked at to determine if Yehovah sent Him. It seems based on Yeshua’s words so far, He is in agreement with the Father Yehovah. There should be no difference, no changes. This is what we are told in Hebrews 13:8.
8 Yeshua Messiah the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
This states that Yeshua is consistent, not changing. Therefore, He must be consistent with Yehovah of the Hebrew Scriptures. If not, the claim that He was sent by the Father would not be true.
Is Yeshua Authentic?
Is Yeshua Authentic?
Is Yeshua an authentic prophet? He told us that we would know that Yehovah sent Him based on His followers. Yochanan 17:22-23.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one. 23 I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.
We can only know Yeshua through the words and actions of the Apostles. The followers of Messiah.
What about Christians? They claim we are free from the Law, Torah. If that is true then Yeshua is a false prophet. It is true that most Christians claim Torah is not for today. However, it is not true that Yeshua stated we did have to observe Torah. Yeshua told us in Yochanan 5:46-47.
46 For had you believed Moshe, you would have believed Me. For he wrote of Me. 47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?
If Yeshua made this statement, why do many not observe it? The Apostles claim that Yeshua made this statement. Did the Apostle believe this? When a question came up in Acts 15, Yaaqov’s answer through the Spirit was Acts 15:20-21.
20 But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and fornication, and things strangled, and blood. 21 For Moshe of old time has in every city them that preach Him, being read in the synagogues every Shabbas Day.
This was the ruling in Yerushalayim. This in no way denies Torah. It provides a starting point. Each Shabbas day the believers would hear Torah and the Spirit would lead them into further understanding. In time as a believer matures in the Spirit, they would do more and more of Torah in the newness of the Spirit.
If one goes to the synagogues today, one will hear Moshe. If one goes to the churches of today one will not hear Moshe. Why is that?
Paul agreed with Yaaqov and the ruling in Yerushalayim in Acts 15. Paul even wrote in Romans 7:12.
12 Wherefore the law holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
If it is holy, just and good, we should be observing the law, Torah. Yochanan tells us in 1 Yochanan 5:2-3.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not grievous.
When we love God, we keep His commandments. Therefore, if we do not keep His commandments, we do not love God. If we say we love God and do not keep His commandments, we love a god other than Yehovah. If we do not observe Torah, we may eventually discover we follow a demon or an imaginary god.
If we conclude that Yeshua freed us from the law, Torah, then Yeshua is not one with the Father. Therefore, Yeshua would be a false prophet. However, neither Yeshua nor the Apostles did or say anything that would indicate we are free from Torah. They all observed Torah in the Newness of the Spirit.
Yeshua told us in Yochanan 13:34.
34 A new (kainos) commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
So how do we love one another? Again 1 Yochanan 5:2.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.
We show our love for each other when we keep the commandments.
This is the odd thing overall. It seems that the Apostles and Yeshua support keeping the commandments. Yeshua even tells us in Matityahu 5:17-18.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For amen I say to you, until heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, until all be fulfilled.
All has not been fulfilled, as such Torah is in effect. Yeshua even tells us that there is a benefit to following and teaching Torah, Matityahu 5:19.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
If one teaches to break, they are least in the Kingdom. If you listen to someone who teaches against Torah, best case they will be a nobody in the Kingdom. That is, if they are even in the Kingdom. If one teaches against Torah, there is a good chance they do not even have salvation. Considering Yirmeyahu tells us in Yirmeyahu 31:33.
33 But this the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisrael; after those days, says Yehovah, I will put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.
It is odd that if God puts Torah in us, we would be averse to Torah. After a while, one must understand that Torah is a part of the New Covenant life. We are left to conclude that something is amiss if one claims to have salvation, yet is averse to Torah.
The fact is, Yeshua is not a false prophet. It is that many who claim to follow after Him have false beliefs. They follow a false doctrine that will lead to despair and least in the Kingdom. That is, if they are in the Kingdom at all.
But make no mistake, Yeshua would have you keep the commandment in the newness of the Spirit. If you do not, it explains why you have inconsistent answers in your prayers. If any prayers are answered at all by Yeshua.
Yeshua, the Apostles and disciples of the First Century kept the commandments of Yehovah. In time, all believers will keep Torah in the Newness of the Spirit if they are authentic or they will cease to exist.
If one claims the Torah is not for today, then they do not know Yehovah. As such, do not listen to these people. They will not strengthen your relationship with the true God of Scriptures.
Penalty for a False Prophet
Penalty for a False Prophet
Devarim 13:5
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he has spoken to turn away from Yehovah your Redeemer, which brought you out of the land of Mitzrayim, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust you out of the way which Yehovah your Redeemer commanded you to walk in. So shall you put the evil away from the midst of you.
If a prophet takes one away from Yehovah, they are to be put to death. This is what happened to all that participated in the Qorach Rebellion.
This was a major issue in the First Century. The Scribes and Pharisees viewed Yeshua as a false prophet. As such, they believed He should be put to death.
Unfortunately because of various things going on, the truth was not communicated very well. Many were not going to listen until the resurrection. However, there were many that did. This is recorded in Acts 15:5.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command to keep the law of Moshe.
There were many Pharisees that believed in Yeshua. They did not rise in defiance, they rose up to resolve an issue. Nowhere in Acts 15 did anyone deny that believers were to keep Torah. The issue was implementation of Torah. The fact is many Pharisees became believers. As for the Pharisees in Acts 15:5, when Yaaqov rendered his decision, Acts 15:22.
22 Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Yehuda surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
They, as with all, were pleased. Torah was to be implemented through the Spirit.
Devarim 13 was why Paul would eventually search out for believers.
It is important that we clearly understand the end of Devarim 13:5.
So shall you put the evil away from the midst of you.
It is evil to lead people not to follow Torah, because Torah always leads to Yehovah, Galatians 3:23-25.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, enclosed (sugkleio) to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to Messiah, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Torah leads us to Messiah. The unfortunate things is that many have used this as a justification for not following Torah. It that was true, Paul would be a false prophet. However, Paul was in favor of Torah observance as well as all true Apostles and Prophets. Torah keeps us safe until we are in the arms of Messiah. Once we are in the arms of Messiah, we follow Torah in the newness of the Spirit to stay in the arms of Messiah. If not we will lose our way.
One can always find a reason not to follow Torah. If they do, they will not find Yehovah at the end of their path.
The vast majority of pastors are teaching against Torah. The Bible states that this is evil. These will be taken to task in the future. Romans 14:10-12.
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you set at nought your brother? For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat (bema) of Messiah. 11 For it is written, I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
We will all give account of what we did in this lifetime.
There are many reasons why so many fall victim to false teachings. Regardless, there is no excuse that is adequate. If we love our families, we would keep His commandments.
If we sincerely would give ourselves over to God, He would open our understanding. If He gives us the understanding, we must do something with it. If not, we will have a limited understanding, Luke 12:48.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Few today are willing to give themselves completely over to the Word. As such, few will understand. This has led to many with little. Those they teach have little.
Word Separates Us
Word Separates Us
Devarim 13:6-8
6 If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other redeemers, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers; 7 of the redeemers of the people which round about you, nigh to you, or far off from you, from the end of the land even to the end of the land; 8 You shall not consent to him, nor hearken to him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him.
It should be noted that the above does not include father or mother. We are not accountable to our parents in this issue. We are accountable to Yehovah personally. We must ensure that we follow Him. No one can exercise spiritual authority over another in this issue. No one can claim their parents taught them wrong. This is an issue we will all be held accountable to as an individual.
This creates a great difficulty for many. We are to follow Yehovah and His ways even if it causes difficulties in family relationships. This even includes our spouse. Yeshua warns us of the same thing in Matityahu 10:34-36.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes they of his own household.
The sword that Yeshua is referring to is the Word. The Word will divide us if we pursue it with all our heart and soul. Both Devarim 13:6-8 and Matityahu 10:34-36 have some basis in Shemos 23:2.
2 You shall not follow a multitude to evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to pervert justice.
From the beginning, we are to do what is right and not what is popular. Never be surprised that others are unwilling to do what is right. Many are too weak to stand up to social and peer pressure. Yeshua warned us in Matityahu 7:13-14.
13 Enter in at the strait (stenos) gate. For wide the gate, and broad the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. 14 Because strait (stenos) the gate, and narrow (thlibo) the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.
Strait is the Greek word στενός stenos (G4728). It is in the Bible 3 times and is always translated strait. It means narrow or close together. στενός stenos (G4728) should be rendered narrow.
Narrow is the Greek word θλίβω thlibo (G2346). It is in the Bible 10 times. θλίβω thlibo (G2346) is translated trouble 4 times, afflict 3 times, narrow 1 time, throng 1 time and suffer tribulation 1 time. It means to suffer affliction, to be troubled, distress. It has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the antagonism of persons. When used to express the experience of believers, it refers almost invariably to the conflict or persecution that comes from an external source. θλίβω thlibo (G2346) should be rendered afflicted. This describes what is occurring from an outside source. Matityahu 7:13-14 should be translated.
13 Enter in at the narrow (stenos) gate. For wide the gate, and broad the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. 14 Because narrow (stenos) the gate, and afflicted (thlibo) the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.
Yeshua told us few will follow the narrow path to Yehovah. It was true then, as much as, it is true now. One should never wonder why so few keep Torah today and yet claim to be followers of Yeshua. These are the ones that choose the broad way, the path of least resistance. It is the path that leads to death in this lifetime.
Initially, it is an uncomfortable feeling to realize if you follow Yehovah, you are at odds with others. As you become more righteous, your social circle will start to decrease in size. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The true Prophets and Apostles experienced this.
That is why it is important to seek out others that are likeminded. They are out there, but they are few in numbers. Do not let distance be a factor. One cannot do this alone. Few will grow much beyond themselves outside of an assembly of believers that continuously seek His righteousness.
Devarim 13:8
8 You shall not consent to him, nor hearken to him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him.
We are not to consent to them nor should we even listen to them. Evil will seduce us if we are not careful. Righteousness is a choice. It is a constant choice we must choose. If we do not consistently and continuously erect walls of sanctification, we will become a victim of the influencing force of this evil.
This evil must be dealt with. When it is dealt with properly, we are not to pity the ones that would have us follow a false path. We are not to spare them. We are to turn them over to the authorities. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized. If we allow this to worsen it will spread, 1 Corinthians 5:6.
6 Your glorying not good. Know not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
When it spreads throughout a community, the entire community will pay the price for the evil.
Until Paul’s eyes were opened, he was trying to resolve this in Acts 9:1-2.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest, 2 and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Yerushalayim.
Penalty for Following Deceit
Penalty for Following Deceit
Devarim 13:9
9 But you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
When our own family follows the false prophet, we are to be first to put them to death. After that, all people should put them to death. This occurred several times in Scriptures.
Devarim 13:10
10 And you shall stone him with stones, that he die; because he has sought to thrust you away from Yehovah your God, which brought you out of the land of Mitzrayim, from the house of bondage.
Those who follow after a false prophet are to be stoned. They were trying to take you from the God that freed you from bondage. This is why it is important to remember how we were delivered from Mitzrayim. We did nothing to make this happen nor did any other entity other than Yehovah free us. This is a basis of our faith. We are to teach this to our children. Every year we are to observe Yehovah’s Passover in remembrance, Vayyiqra 23:5.
5 In the fourteenth of the first month at even Yehovah’s Passover.
We are to observe this every year, Shemos 12:24-27.
24 And you shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when you be come to the land which Yehovah will give you, according as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say to you, What mean you by this service? 27 That you shall say, It the sacrifice of Yehovah’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the Children of Yisrael in Mitzrayim, when He smote Mitzrayim, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
There is no excuse for not keeping this observance every year. This is the remembrance, that it was by His power and no one else. We should not listen to the false prophets of today. We are to observe this remembrance as Beriyt Chadasha Believers. The observance of Passover is even required in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened of sincerity and truth.
We are to observe this to this day. It for us and for our children that it will go well for us.
All Yisrael Shall Hear
All Yisrael Shall Hear
Devarim 13:11
11 And all Yisrael shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
All Yisrael shall hear of the false prophet. We should make it known that he and his followers were destroyed. We should know that evil is being put out. We should all know that the threat is very real and we must take a stand against evil.
Paul warns of the danger of these in Romans 16:17-18.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Yeshua Messiah, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
People love to hear those that teach against Torah. Because it allows them to do as they please. Be ware there is a severe price to be paid.
Those of Yisrael today through the Spirit know of these false prophets.
Entire Community
Entire Community
Devarim 13:12-13
12 If you shall hear in one of your cities, which Yehovah your Redeemer has given you to dwell there, saying, 13 Men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other redeemers, which you have not known;
There is always the possibility of an entire city going after a false god. This evil would be a blemish over the entire land.
Devarim 13:14-15
14 Then shall you inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, truth, the thing certain, such abomination is wrought among you; 15 You shall surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that therein, and the beast (behemah) thereof, with the edge of the sword.
When a report comes that a community is involved in belial, false worship, it should be investigated thoroughly. If this proves to be true, all the inhabitants of the city would be slain by the edge of the sword. Everything would be destroyed. This includes all the animals.
Devarim 13:16
16 And you shall gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof completely (kaliyl), for Yehovah your Redeemer. And it shall be a mound (tel) for ever; it shall not be built again.
Mounds (formerly heap) is from the Hebrew word תֵּל tel (H8510). It is in the Bible 5 times. תֵּל tel (H8510) is translated heap 4 times and strength 1 time. It refers to a mound or heap of ruins. It is possibly a mound of city ruins or an elevation on which the city stood.
Everything is to be burned in the city. Nothing is to be kept by those destroying the city. All items are abominable, nothing is to be kept of value. Nothing is of value.
This may be what the Children of Yisrael were thinking when they gathered at Mitzpah in Shofetim 20. They had evaluated the incident that occurred in Shofetim 20:5-6.
5 And the men of Givah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, thought to have slain me and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. 6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Yisrael. For they have committed lewdness and folly in Yisrael.
This resulted in considerable destruction before it was all over.
Some of this action may seem severe; however, this is exactly what will happen in the Millennium in Revelation 20:7-9.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle. The number of whom as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
In the end, all those that go the way other than Yehovah will be destroyed. They will not exist. We will not enter into eternity with any adverse opinions.
In a world of political correctness, some may find this extreme. However, political correctness is not the issue. For 6000 years, mankind has failed to maintain Yehovah’s standard. They have allowed compromise to enter into each age. This is the parable in Matityahu 13:33.
33 Another parable spoke He to them; The Kingdom of Heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.
In each of the ages, Harlotry appeared and leavened the entire lump. This is why as we come to the end of the third age, there is a complete breakdown of the people. Many have gone the way of the Harlot and followed ways counter to Yehovah’s commandments and voice. This will only continue for so long. When we enter the Millennium there will be a cleansing of the earth, Yoel 2:1-3.
1 Blow the shofar in Tziyyon, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble. For the day of Yehovah comes, for nigh at hand; 2 a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains. A great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, to the years of many generations. 3 A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns. The land as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.
This time will be different than others as the Restitution of All Things is beginning, Acts 3:19-22.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and He shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached to you. 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of Restitution of All Things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moshe truly said to the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like to me; Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever He shall say to you.
This will be the final testing time for many. This time Yehovah will not allow leaven to have place. The devil will be in the pit, Revelation 20:1-3.
1 And I saw a Messenger (aggelos) come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be fulfilled. And after that he must be loosed a little season.
For 1000 years, the devil will not deceive anyone. Leaven will have been eradicated. When Satan is loosed for a short season, the hearts of many will be tested. Those who are found wanting, God will completely destroy any remnant of these that follow the ways of belial. Then we will be able to enter Eternity in purity without the threat of leaven and the evils it brings. Then all will serve Yehovah and keep His commandments.
Devarim 13:17-18
17 And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to your hand that Yehovah may turn from the fierceness of His anger (af), and show you mercy, and have compassion upon you, and multiply you, as He has sworn to your fathers; 18 when you shall hearken to the voice of Yehovah your Redeemer, to keep all His commandments which I command you this day, to do right in the eyes of Yehovah your Redeemer.
Then we will see the total fulfillment of Yehovah’s love on the land and His people forever.
Today, we do not live in a theocracy, as such, much of Devarim 13 cannot be implemented. This does not excuse us from following Devarim 13 in the Newness of the Spirit. Today we must separate ourselves from those that would have us follow a false redeemer. We should not listen to them nor should we allow them to have a voice in our midst. This is the difficulty we are faced with today. We must follow His Spirit and His voice if we are to survive in a world that has corrupted itself.
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