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THE RESPONSE TO FALSE PROPHECY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Deuteronomy 13:9-11

Joshua 7:15-26

 

“…because he hath transgressed
the covenant of the LORD, and

because he hath wrought folly….”

 

THE RESPONSE TO FALSE PROPHECY
 
In the Mosaic Law, the response to false prophets was decisive as it is stated in Deuteronomy 13:8, “Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him.” Moses repeated that such should be put to death by stoning. The punishment stressed the magnitude of the offence. Naturally, people have strong feelings for their family members who are facing any calamity. When they die, the family will weep and mourn for them. This is an expression of the strong bond among family members. However, their rejection of God was a great offence, and they deserved no pity in the Law. Moses mentioned family members and how they should be treated. Nobody could get away with any transgression of God’s Law. This was also meant to deter others from committing the same offence. Sin had to be put away from among God’s people.
 
In the days of Joshua, shortly after Israel entered the land of Canaan, one offender faced such public execution. Achan had violated the commandment of the Lord when they captured the city of Jericho. He coveted a valuable Babylonian garment and he took it and hid it in his tent. This was a great sin and the whole nation was defiled. When they attempted to take the second city Ai, they were defeated. Joshua had to make an inquiry in this regard. The Lord led him and he traced the offence to that act of Achan. Thus, Achan, and all that he had, were stoned to death and burned (Josh 7:19-26). This was to be a lesson for all Israel and none was to repeat the same offence. The wages of sin is death. Obey God and live.
 
Moses also anticipated that when Israel settled in the Promised Land, whole cities could be misled to worship other gods. The children of Belial would tempt the inhabitants of their cities. They would ask them to serve other gods which they have not known. The children of God must reject such proposal to sin against God.
 
THOUGHT: False prophets are always there to pervert the truth of God. Growth in the faith helps the believer to overcome such temptation.

PRAYER: Father, may I always be able to discern truth from error.

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