仇敵往往抄襲上帝所設計的一些美事來誘拐上帝的兒女誤入滅亡的歧途。許多人已經被這類的假象欺騙而掉入異端的陷阱中。摩西在這裡就是警告以色列人不要上這種當：悖逆的人，甚至來自上帝的選民中（也可能是關係最親密者），會企圖陷別人於罪。摩西特別是指可憎的、拜偶像的罪；這種罪對以色列人是一大威脅，尤其他們將要得為業的是一塊充滿異教之風的地。上帝痛恨那會引誘人背叛祂的事，就如拜偶像；而由於祂不能與偶像分享祂的榮耀，祂命令以色列人務必除滅這種可憎的習俗。

        假先知也可能會行神蹟奇事，甚至準確的預測未來，這可能是出於邪靈的工作，也可能是騙術。假先知不是上帝所差來的，也不會說實話，反而會曲解真理。他的目的是求自我的榮耀、貪財或抬高他的地位。摩西警戒以色列人要小心，不要被這種人引誘，偏離了對真神上帝的敬拜。耶穌也警告說會有假先知用神蹟來矇騙上帝的選民（太24：24）。在這些情況下能否保持對上帝的忠心，可以考驗出一個人是否愛上帝（13：3）。不論是以色列人或今天的信徒，有責任小心察驗任何一個自稱先知的人所說的話是否合乎上帝的啟示，不論他們能行多少神蹟（參約壹4：1）。

        如果經由仔細的查問，發現一個人企圖引誘他人拜偶像，或者有一座以色列人的城，全城人都陷入拜偶像之罪，那些還忠於上帝的人就要用死刑懲治他們（13：5、9、15）。雖然上帝在這件事上的審判看起來似乎太過嚴厲，但卻足以反映出祂對祂百姓的愛和關切。正如一點麵酵能使全團都發起來，苟存的罪也會很快蔓延，造成以色列國的墮落（後來的歷史證明此言不假）。「你們要把那惡從你們中間除掉」（13：5；參林前5：13），藉以滅絕罪和罪的影響力，使對上帝真實的敬拜屹立不搖。

        我們的上帝昨日、今日、到永遠都不改變。雖然在新約時代，我主並未將執行這種嚴厲審判的權力交在祂百姓手中，但有一天祂必親自嚴嚴審判虛假、說謊，和潛入祂百姓中為害上帝子民的假先知（帖後2：8；啟19：20）。願主加強我們的信心及對祂話語的認識，也願祂賜給我們辨別、察驗的恩賜，好叫我們不落入撒但的詭計。

        進入十四章，摩西繼續強調以色列人要順服上帝及遠離異教之風的重要性。不論是表現在為死人哀悼的方式（14：1）、每天的例行之事，如飲食（分別可吃和不可吃之物，14：20），或者煮食的方式上（14：21）。本章的一、二節是他們所以要遵守這些指示的主要理由：「你們是耶和華你們上帝的兒女……因為你歸耶和華你上帝為聖潔的民」。以色列人在每一方面都要有別於不信從上帝的人，反映出他們作上帝子民獨特的聖潔。

        以色列人是否自己分別為聖、順服、敬拜上帝，也可以從他們有否每年向神獻上十分之一，以及每三年獻出特定的十分之一測知。三年一次的什一奉獻不只是供給無分無業的利未人，也是為窮人著想。如果他們順服忠心的奉獻，供養寄居的和孤兒、寡婦，上帝就必祝福他們（14：29；參瑪3：8~10）。

        上帝啊，幫助我們對您忠誠。幫助我們用您的話察驗所有的聲明，並且知道「聖經沒有一處可按私意解的」，我們必須與敬虔的牧師和其他主裡的弟兄姐妹一起來察驗。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        Wherever there is something good from the Lord, the enemy will try to copy it in a way that will lead to destruction. Many people have been led into cults by this type of deception. Here, Moses warned Israel about this very thing: disobedient people, even those from among the chosen people (could be a next of kin), would try to entice others into sin. In this case, it was the detestable sin of idolatry that was a great threat to Israel, especially since they were about to enter a land full of heathen practices. God hates that which leads to disobedience ordered that all such abominations be abolished.

        A false prophet might even be able to imitate signs and wonders and predict future events that may come true; this would be done either by evil spiritual forces at work or by deception. He is not sent by God and does not speak the whole truth but, rather, twists it. His purpose is often for self-Glory, material gain, or position. Moses exhorted Israel to be careful that they not be led astray from the true worship of God by such people. Jesus also gave a warning against false prophets who would perform signs and try to deceive the elect of God (Matt.24:24). Remaining faithful to God under these circumstances serves as a test of love for God (13:3). The Israelites were responsible, just as believers are today, to carefully test and discern whether the words of anyone claiming to be a prophet were in agreement with what God had previously revealed, regardless of any miracles he may have performed (cf. 1 John 4:1).

        If, after careful inquiry (13:14), it was discovered that a person attempted to lead others into idolatry, or a whole Israelite city had fallen into idolatry, the punishment of death was to be carried out by those who remained true (13:5, 9, 15). God’s judgment in this matter, although seemingly severe, reflects His love and care for His people. Just as a little leaven can work its way through the whole mass, so unremoved sin could quickly spread and cause the downfall of Israel (history later proved this). “So you shall put away the evil from your midst” (13:5; cf. 1 Cor.5:13), and thereby do away with the detrimental influence of the sin and the sinner, that true worship of God will prevail.

        Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; He has not changed. Although, in this new covenant era, our Lord does not put such severe judgments into the hands of His people, He Himself will one day bring a great judgment upon false and lying prophets who have tried to infiltrate and bring harm to His people (2 Thess.2:8; Rev.19:20). May the Lord strengthen our faith and knowledge of His Word, and may He give us the spiritual gift of discernment that we may not fall prey to Satan’s tactics.

        In chapter 14, Moses continued to stress the importance of Israel’s obedience to God and their separation from heathen ways, be it in the manner of mourning for the dead (14:1), or issue of everyday life such as diet (acceptable and forbidden foods, 14:20; cf. Lev.11), and methods of cooking (14:21). Verses one and two of that chapter give the main reason for these injunctions: “You are the children of the Lord… For you are a holy people to the Lord”. In every way, Israel was to be distinct from the ungodly, reflecting their peculiar sanctity to the Lord their God.

        Their consecration, obedience, and worship to God was also tested by their yearly tithing to Him, as well as a designated tithe every third year, not only for the ministering Levites who had no inheritance, but for the poor as well. If they were faithful and obedient in giving and providing for the stranger, orphan, and widow, God’s blessing was promised (14:29; cf. Mal.3:8-10).

        Lord God, please give us the grace to be true to You. Help us to carefully check up all claims by Your Word, and knowing that “No scripture is of any private interpretation,” we must check those claims with a godly pastor and other brothers and sisters in Christ.