Deuteronomy 13:1-5: a reflection

1If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, “Let’s go after other gods” (which you have not known) “and let’s serve them,” 3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4You shall walk after the LORD your God, fear him, keep his commandments, and obey his voice. You shall serve him, and cling to him. 5That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

God warns Israel that even a prophet who performs a sign or wonder that comes true is not to be followed, if he uses it to lead them after other gods. You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, God says; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart. An impressive sign, even one that comes true, does not validate a message that leads away from God; and such a temptation is a test of whether we truly love and will cling to God.

Notice the principle: an impressive sign does not validate a message that leads away from God. The prophet might perform a real wonder, something striking and convincing; but if his message led away from God, to other gods, it was to be rejected regardless of the sign. The sign did not make the message true; leading away from God, it was false, however impressive the wonder. And the temptation to follow such a persuasive voice was a test of loyalty: whether they would cling to God even against a compelling voice that would draw them away.

That principle is worth taking to heart, for we too can be tempted by persuasive, impressive voices that would draw us away from God. There can be compelling voices, striking and convincing, that would lead us away from God, and their very persuasiveness can tempt us; but no matter how impressive, a message that leads away from God is to be rejected, and the temptation is a test of our loyalty. Do not be swayed by impressive or persuasive voices that would lead you away from God, however compelling; the message that leads away from him is false, however striking its appeal. Cling to God even against persuasive voices that would draw you away, as Israel was warned not to follow even a sign-working prophet who led toward other gods; hold to the LORD, walk after him, and cling to him, rather than being drawn away by any voice, however impressive, that would lead you from him.

Lord, you warn Israel that even a prophet who performs a sign or wonder that comes true is not to be followed, if he uses it to lead them after other gods. You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, you say; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart. An impressive sign does not validate a message that leads away from you; and such a temptation is a test of whether we truly love and will cling to you. Show me the principle: an impressive sign does not validate a message that leads away from you. The prophet might perform a real wonder; but if his message led away from you, it was to be rejected regardless. The sign did not make the message true; leading away from you, it was false, however impressive. And the temptation to follow such a persuasive voice was a test of loyalty. Take that to my heart, for I too can be tempted by persuasive, impressive voices that would draw me away from you. There can be compelling voices that would lead me away from you, and their very persuasiveness can tempt me; but no matter how impressive, a message that leads away from you is to be rejected. Keep me from being swayed by impressive or persuasive voices that would lead me away from you, however compelling. Help me cling to you even against persuasive voices that would draw me away, Lord; help me hold to you, walk after you, and cling to you.