Deuteronomy 13: Zero Tolerance

Barry Goldwater once famously said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice."  Deuteronomy 13 might be summarized as saying, "Extremism in the rooting out of idolatry is no vice."

Moses is intent on warning the Israelites that they must be ruthless in their handling of those who would lead them astray.  Specifically mentioned as those who must be killed for their enticement to idolatry include:

• Successful fortunetellers and prophets (vs 1-5).  Their words and predictions may even come true, but they must not be followed if they try to lead Israel to worship other gods.  Instead they must be stoned.
• Friends and relatives (vs. 6-11).  If even your best friend, sibling, spouse, or child suggests that you worship something other than God, Moses says, you must be the first to turn them in and pick up a stone to stone them.
• Whole towns (vs. 12-16).  Moses paints a scenario where a whole town has been deceived and led astray into idolatry.  In such an instance, that town and everything in it is to be destroyed and never rebuilt.

There was to be ZERO TOLERANCE for any idolatry or even the hint of such a sin.  It was apparently hoped that the deterrent effect of this policy would keep Israel on the straight and narrow.