Deuteronomy 12

Deuteronomy 12:1-32

Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18; Deuteronomy 14:1-29; Deuteronomy 15:1-23; Deuteronomy 16:1-22; Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Deuteronomy 19:1-21; Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Deuteronomy 22:1-30; Deuteronomy 23:1-25; Deuteronomy 24:1-22; Deuteronomy 25:1-19; Deuteronomy 26:1-19; Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Deuteronomy 28:1-682. The Exposition of Special Laws (Deuteronomy 12-28; cf. Deuteronomy 1:5; Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1) This exposition sets forth the nature of the obedience required and the consequent punishment devolving upon disobedience. We have here not a mere promulgation of laws, but a promulgation always with a hortatory purpose, and with explanations which are an aid to obedience to these laws. It concerns itself with duties which God commanded and therefore are right, and which are right because commanded by God.

Deuteronomy 12:11-14

Deuteronomy 12:11-14(a) The Religious Duties of the People (Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18; Deuteronomy 14:1-29; Deuteronomy 15:1-23; Deuteronomy 16:1-17) Public Worship (Deuteronomy 12:11-14) First. Emphasis is laid upon the fact that public worship must be observed in one place. The fact that public worship must be observed in one place is no argument against private worship in any place (cf. Deuteronomy 12:15-19). For national, religious, and family reasons it was necessary to maintain a definite place for public worship. This fact is again and again insisted on throughout the Scriptures. No private worship is allowed to be substituted for national and public worship. What was true for Israel is true for mankind today. God commands us to assemble ourselves together for public worship: “ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The communion and fellowship of the saints is necessary to growth in holiness. We are justified alone; we are sanctified together. It is important to note that in the context of Heb 10:25 we are warned against the danger of apostasy which comes from the failure to assemble ourselves together (Hebrews 10:26-29). The fellowship of the church service is necessary for the believer’ s growth. It is true that we can worship God anywhere, whether in the fields, in the streets, or in our own homes; that, as the poet says: “ O, Jesus where’ er Thy people meet, There they find Thy mercy-seat; Where’ er they seek Thee, Thou art found, And every spot is hallowed ground.” All this is true; nevertheless we are disobedient to God and His revealed will when we forsake attendance at the assembly of God’ s people. Neglect of churchgoing is surely fraught with the danger of backsliding and apostasy.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32

Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18 Idolatry is Forbidden (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-18) Second. Idolatry is forbidden. In this section the question of false teaching and false teachers is dealt with quite fully as being, together with idolatry, a means of leading God’ s people away from Himself. Three agencies in leading people into idolatry and away from God are mentioned here: False prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5); a man’ s family (Deuteronomy 13:6-11); a man’ s neighbors (Deuteronomy 13:12-18). We are warned not to be deceived by any signs which these deceivers may be able to perform. Wonders and signs are not in themselves divine credentials. Even followers of Satan can perform such wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; cf. Matthew 7:21-29; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 13:14). The treatment to be meted out to those who lead God’ s people into idolatry is the same as that received by those who had been guilty of taking human life. Capital punishment is the penalty. This seems somewhat severe, but we must remember that the destruction of the soul is involved in false teaching, and this is a far more important matter than the destruction of the body (cf. Luke 12:4-5). This section reminds us of the New Testament teaching on the same subject (1 John 2:18-28; 1 John 4:1-6) by which we are exhorted not to listen to false teachers, even though they should be counted among our neighbors or the members of our own family (cf. Matthew 10:34-38). Nor are we to let signs, wonders, and miracles deceive us. These wondrous phenomena do not prove that those performing them are of God unless the true doctrine of God is taught in connection therewith. Signs may be allowed by God to prove His people. False teachers and teaching are to be strongly opposed and contended against.

We are not to be hospitable to either the teaching or the teachers. “ For many deceivers are entered into this world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:7-11).