Mon, Apr 27, 2009
Bible Knowledge Commentary: Deuteronomy 13:8-10a
The person who was being tempted should respond first by not yielding to the temptation (do not yield). The command not to listen to him may have meant not to give in to his plea that his ways be kept secret. Since the temptation came through a loved one the tempted person would naturally feel compassion or pity and would probably be inclined to cover up the sin of his loved one (shield him). But here again God's commands were to rule over human feelings and experiences. The tempted person was to expose his loved one and in fact to be the first in stoning him to death (cf. Zech. 13:3). By casting the first stone the accuser was testifying to the truth of his testimony. The participation of the rest of the community then showed their allegiance to the Lord and their resolute hostility toward anything that might endanger that allegiance and turn them away from the Lord.