Deuteronomy 13

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Deuteronomy 13:6-8  If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other),  do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them.

This chapter presents several scenarios about what to do if strangers, loved ones, or whole communities tried to tempt them to worship other gods.  No matter who does the tempting, the answer is always the same.  Don't do it and get rid of the culprit, even if it is a loved one.  No one is allowed to tempt them to worship false gods.  The consequences for doing so should be swift and severe.

God clearly knows his people.  He knows they will be tempted to worship false idols.  If we look at the course of Biblical history, idolatry was eventually the undoing of the Israelites.  Most of us have a hard time imagining bowing down to a medal statue representing a god or a golden altar to some false deity.  And yet, we have to be very careful here.  Our false gods are less obvious but still present.  Far be it from us to think we are somehow better than the Israelites.  After all, we worship money, power, technology, sports, our children's activities, our own hobbies, and our own families, among many other things.  Anything at all that we put before God is an idol and if we are honest, we put a lot before God.

What kinds of things are you tempted to put before God?  How can you reprioritize your life to right this wrong?

Let's pray...Holy God, We are sorry.  We have been disobedient.  We have put earthly things before you over and over again.  Guide and direct us, Lord.  Help us right our wrongs and be more fully devoted to you.  Lord, we are so grateful for your love, compassion, and forgiveness.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.