Bible Knowledge Commentary: Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - The destruction of…
13:12-13.
The situation Moses envisioned here was perhaps the most potentially dangerous for the nation as a whole. Certain wicked men may lead a whole town astray. The men's wickedness is highlighted by the fact that they deceived one of the towns the Lord would give to Israel.
13:14-18.
The punishment of this sin was to be so drastic that before any action was taken the truth of the report must be confirmed by a thorough investigation. If the report was confirmed, the town was to be treated like a Canaanite city: set aside for complete destruction of people and livestock (on kharam, destroy it completely, see comment on 7:26; and comments on Josh. 6:21). The fact that all it's plunder was to be destroyed, and that it was never to be rebuilt, precluded any greedy or illegitimate motivations by those who were to carry out its destruction. Obedience to this command would bring about a moral cleansing of the land and a spiritual renewal. Then in mercy and compassion ... the Lord would prosper the people by increasing their numbers, as He promised on oath (cf. 4:31). For the most part Israel failed to apply the commands of this chapter. This failure resulted in both the Northern Kingdom and later the Southern Kingdom being exiled. The commands of this chapter are not directed to Christians, because they do not live in one nation ruled by God; that is, the New Testament church is not a theocracy. However, church discipline should be exercised (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5) and there is a sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16-17; cf. Heb. 10:26-31).
The situation Moses envisioned here was perhaps the most potentially dangerous for the nation as a whole. Certain wicked men may lead a whole town astray. The men's wickedness is highlighted by the fact that they deceived one of the towns the Lord would give to Israel.
13:14-18.
The punishment of this sin was to be so drastic that before any action was taken the truth of the report must be confirmed by a thorough investigation. If the report was confirmed, the town was to be treated like a Canaanite city: set aside for complete destruction of people and livestock (on kharam, destroy it completely, see comment on 7:26; and comments on Josh. 6:21). The fact that all it's plunder was to be destroyed, and that it was never to be rebuilt, precluded any greedy or illegitimate motivations by those who were to carry out its destruction. Obedience to this command would bring about a moral cleansing of the land and a spiritual renewal. Then in mercy and compassion ... the Lord would prosper the people by increasing their numbers, as He promised on oath (cf. 4:31). For the most part Israel failed to apply the commands of this chapter. This failure resulted in both the Northern Kingdom and later the Southern Kingdom being exiled. The commands of this chapter are not directed to Christians, because they do not live in one nation ruled by God; that is, the New Testament church is not a theocracy. However, church discipline should be exercised (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5) and there is a sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16-17; cf. Heb. 10:26-31).
