Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands,This phrase refers to the command that Israelites must completely destroy anything associated with idolatry or pagan worship. In the context of Deuteronomy, this is part of the instructions for dealing with cities that have turned to idol worship. The term "devoted to destruction" (Hebrew: "herem") indicates something set apart for complete destruction as an offering to God. This reflects the seriousness of idolatry and the need for purity among God's people. The command to not let anything cling to their hands emphasizes the need for total separation from sin and idolatry, echoing the call for holiness found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 19:2). Jos 6:18 But keep away from the things devoted to destruction,… so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, This phrase highlights the conditional nature of God's relationship with Israel. God's anger is described as "fierce," indicating the severity of His response to sin, particularly idolatry, which is seen as spiritual adultery. The turning away of God's anger is contingent upon Israel's obedience to His commands. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings and curses are dependent on Israel's faithfulness (Deuteronomy 28). The concept of God's anger turning away is also seen in other scriptures, such as Jonah 3:9-10, where Nineveh's repentance leads to God relenting from disaster. Jon 3:9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn…… grant you mercy, Mercy is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character as compassionate and forgiving. The granting of mercy here is contingent upon Israel's obedience and repentance. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God's mercy is extended to those who turn back to Him (e.g., Psalm 103:8-13). The Hebrew word for mercy, "racham," conveys deep compassion and love, akin to a parent's love for a child. This promise of mercy underscores the hope of restoration and forgiveness. 2Sa 24:14 David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed.… show you compassion, Compassion, closely related to mercy, emphasizes God's tender care and concern for His people. The promise of compassion is a reassurance of God's willingness to restore and bless His people despite their failures. This reflects the nature of God as described in Exodus 34:6-7, where He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." The call to show compassion is also a model for how God's people are to treat others, as seen in the teachings of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 9:36). Psa 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children… and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, This phrase connects to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised to multiply Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:2, 15:5). The multiplication of Israel is both a literal promise of numerous descendants and a metaphor for blessing and prosperity. This promise is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God, reflecting the covenantal theme of blessings for obedience. The fulfillment of this promise is seen in the growth of Israel as a nation and is ultimately fulfilled in the spiritual descendants of Abraham through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:29). Gen 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. Devoted to Destruction Refers to items or people that are to be completely destroyed as an act of devotion to God, often related to idolatry or pagan practices. 5. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is delivering these commands through Moses. Teaching Points Complete ObedienceGod requires complete obedience to His commands, especially regarding idolatry and sin. Partial obedience is disobedience. Holiness and Separation Believers are called to be holy and separate from sin, just as the Israelites were to be separate from the pagan practices around them. God's Mercy and Compassion Obedience leads to experiencing God's mercy and compassion, as He desires to bless and multiply His people. Consequences of Disobedience Disobedience can lead to God's anger and the loss of His blessings, as seen in the history of Israel. Devotion to God Our lives should be wholly devoted to God, removing anything that hinders our relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean for something to be "devoted to destruction," and how does this concept apply to our lives today?2. How can we ensure that nothing "clings to our hand" that would hinder our relationship with God? 3. In what ways does complete obedience to God lead to experiencing His mercy and compassion? 4. How can the account of Achan in Joshua 6 serve as a warning for us in our spiritual walk? 5. How does the call to holiness in Deuteronomy 13:17 relate to the New Testament teachings on living a life devoted to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 6The account of Jericho, where items were devoted to destruction, and Achan's sin of taking some of these items led to Israel's defeat at Ai. 1 Samuel 15 King Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, leading to God's rejection of him as king. Leviticus 27 Discusses things devoted to the Lord, emphasizing the seriousness of vows and dedications. Romans 12 Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to being wholly devoted to God. Hebrews 12 Warns against allowing sin to cling to us, similar to the command to not let anything devoted to destruction cling to the Israelites.
People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Anger, Anything, Ban, Burning, Cleave, Cling, Compassion, Condemned, Cursed, Devoted, Fathers, Fierce, Fierceness, Forefathers, Hands, Heat, Increase, Loved, Mercies, Mercy, Multiplied, Multiply, Naught, None, Nothing, Nought, Numbers, Oath, Order, Promised, Shew, Swore, Sworn, Turn, Wrath, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:17 1030 God, compassion 6667 grace, in OT Library Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles … Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God Knox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution, 1556-1558 With, Before, After The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Jewish Homes Deuteronomy Links Deuteronomy 13:17 NIVDeuteronomy 13:17 NLT Deuteronomy 13:17 ESV Deuteronomy 13:17 NASB Deuteronomy 13:17 KJV Deuteronomy 13:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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