You shall gather all its plunder into the middle of the street, and completely burn with fire the city and all its plunder, for the Lord your God. It shall be a heap forever; it shall not be built again. So none of the accursed things shall remain in your hand. (Deuteronomy 13:16-17)
In regard to the cities mentioned previously — those that were corrupted by sons of Belial — they were to be destroyed lest they become a continual threat to the rest of the nation. Nothing pertaining to the city was to be salvaged and kept because it was considered to be חרם cherem or “devoted” to destruction. The purpose for this was to demonstrate that God’s people were not to profit from idolatry or anything associated with it, including property. To retain any of the “accursed things” was to risk bringing God’s wrath down upon your own head.
This is exactly what transpired, years later, when at the battle of Ai (literally – the eye), Achan followed his eye rather than listening with his ears. He knew he was not to take these things into his tent but he did it anyway, thus disregarding the commandment of God. His error caused the entire nation to suffer defeat and was not remedied until the “accursed things” were removed along with Achan and his family. Though he was not technically a false prophet, his misdeeds had the same result as if the people had listened to a false prophet — the people faltered.
As for us, we would do well to filter what comes into our homes, whether it’s through the front door, over the internet or through the television screen. It is especially important in this day and time to remain vigilant because offensive things can sneak in through countless ways, including those cell phones we give our kids. If you wouldn’t give them a pornographic magazine or expose them to other vile things, you might want to consider thinking it through before giving them a smart phone. By the way, that goes for adults too.
The point is, that we must not let our eyes be carried away because we have closed our ears to God’s Word. As Paul admonished: Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments