Deuteronomy 13: Deep, Protective Love.

“Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭13‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Have you ever screamed at your child — not out of anger, but out of desperation? A gut-wrenching, heart-pounding moment when danger is so close you’d do anything to stop it? That’s what I see when I read this chapter.

I didn't feel that way at first glance, I felt a bit flustered actually. "Why is He being so harsh? This feels a bit too much?" Immediately, I found myself dropping into prayer and asking the Lord to help me see today's reading through an accurate lens. The Lord gave me instant clarity of the big emotions behind today's reading.

This is love — the kind that yells before one runs into traffic. The language feels severe. It does. AND It should. If we truly understood what those other religions involved — child sacrifice, exploitation, and all sorts of injustice — it starts to look less harsh and more like protection.

The Lord often uses analogies with me to help me gain a deeper understanding of the text and its' practical application. If my child were about to run into oncoming traffic, I wouldn’t quietly suggest they reconsider. I’d shout. I’d grab them. I’d do whatever it took to keep them safe. I think it's exactly what God is doing here.

There’s also a heavy emphasis on leadership in this chapter — the weight of responsibility carried by those who carry the responsibility of leading others. When a leader leads the flock astray, the damage is devastating. The stoning for example shows just how seriously He takes that responsibility. There is wisdom here — a reminder that influence is powerful, and those who carry it must steward it well.

I can't help but think often about how prone the Israelites were to wander.

Im not so different from the Israelites, easily distracted and drawn away by what looks good in the moment. God loves me too much to let me destroy myself. He's not withholding anything from me. He is pulling me back to life and life abundantly.

Is it harsh or is it love — fierce, urgent, and unwilling to let us go?