◄ Deuteronomy 13:4 ►
You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him.
Study Bible
You shall follow
The Hebrew root for "follow" is "הלך" (halak), which means to walk or go. In the context of Deuteronomy, this word implies a continuous, active pursuit of God's ways. It is not a passive acknowledgment but a deliberate choice to align one's life with God's commandments. Historically, this call to follow God was a reminder to the Israelites to remain distinct from the surrounding nations and their practices. For the modern believer, it is a call to live a life that reflects God's character and teachings.

the LORD your God
The phrase "the LORD your God" is a translation of "יהוה אלהיכם" (YHWH Eloheikhem). "YHWH" is the personal name of God, often rendered as "LORD" in English translations, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. "Eloheikhem" means "your God," emphasizing a personal relationship between God and His people. This relationship is covenantal, rooted in God's promises to the patriarchs and His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. For Christians, this relationship is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who invites believers into a personal relationship with God.

and fear Him
The Hebrew word for "fear" is "ירא" (yare), which encompasses reverence, awe, and respect. This fear is not about being afraid but about recognizing God's holiness and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fear of a deity was common, but the fear of the LORD is unique in that it is based on love and respect rather than terror. For believers, fearing God means acknowledging His power and majesty while trusting in His goodness and love.

Keep His commandments
The word "keep" comes from the Hebrew "שמר" (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, or give heed. It implies diligence and careful attention to God's laws. The commandments refer to the laws given by God to Israel, which were meant to guide them in righteous living. In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes these commandments as loving God and loving others. Keeping God's commandments is an expression of love and devotion to Him.

and listen to His voice
"Listen" is translated from the Hebrew "שמע" (shama), which means to hear, listen, or obey. Listening to God's voice involves more than just hearing; it requires a response of obedience. In the biblical narrative, God often spoke through prophets, and today, believers are encouraged to listen to God through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Listening to God is essential for discerning His will and living according to His purposes.

serve Him
The Hebrew word for "serve" is "עבד" (avad), which means to work, serve, or worship. Serving God involves dedicating one's life to His service, which includes worship, obedience, and acts of love and justice. In the ancient context, serving a deity was a common practice, but serving the LORD was distinct because it was based on a covenant relationship. For Christians, serving God is a response to His grace and a reflection of Christ's example of servanthood.

and hold fast to Him
"Hold fast" is derived from the Hebrew "דבק" (dabaq), meaning to cling, cleave, or adhere. This phrase conveys a sense of loyalty and commitment. In the context of Deuteronomy, it is a call to remain faithful to God amidst the temptations to follow other gods. For believers, holding fast to God means maintaining a steadfast faith and trust in Him, especially during trials and challenges. It is a call to remain anchored in God's love and truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live faithfully in the Promised Land.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The one true God whom the Israelites are commanded to follow, fear, and serve.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, where the Israelites are to live according to God's laws.

5. False Prophets
Individuals who may lead the Israelites astray, prompting the need for this commandment.
Teaching Points
Walking with God
To "walk after the LORD" means to live a life that reflects His character and teachings. This involves daily decisions to align our actions with His will.

Fear of the LORD
This is a reverential awe and respect for God's authority and holiness. It is foundational for wisdom and obedience.

Obedience to Commandments
Keeping God's commandments is a demonstration of our love and commitment to Him. It requires knowing His Word and applying it to our lives.

Listening to God's Voice
We must be attentive to God's guidance through Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, ensuring we are not led astray by false teachings.

Serving and Holding Fast
Our service to God should be wholehearted and unwavering, reflecting a deep commitment to His purposes and promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we practically "walk after the LORD" in our daily lives, and what challenges might we face in doing so?

2. In what ways can we cultivate a healthy fear of the LORD, and how does this impact our relationship with Him?

3. What are some specific commandments of God that we find challenging to keep, and how can we seek His help in obeying them?

4. How can we discern God's voice amidst the many voices and influences in our world today?

5. What does it mean to "hold fast" to God, and how can we encourage one another to remain steadfast in our faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-6
The first and second commandments emphasize the exclusive worship of God, aligning with the call to "walk after the LORD your God."

Joshua 22:5
Joshua reiterates the importance of loving and serving God wholeheartedly, similar to the instructions in Deuteronomy 13:4.

John 14:15
Jesus speaks about the connection between love and obedience to His commandments, echoing the call to keep God's commandments.

1 Samuel 12:24
Samuel advises the Israelites to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully, reinforcing the themes of reverence and service.

Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus summarizes the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, which aligns with holding fast to God.
Sermons
The Ladder of AttainmentJ. C. Blumhardt.Deuteronomy 13:4
With, Before, AfterA. Maclaren, D. D.Deuteronomy 13:4
False ProphetsJ. Orr Deuteronomy 13:1-6
God's Executioners Upon IdolatersD. Davies Deuteronomy 13:1-18
Idolatry to be Treated as a Capital CrimeR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 13:1-18
People
Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Cleave, Cling, Commandments, Commands, Fast, Fear, Fearing, Follow, Hearing, Hearken, Hold, Keeping, Listen, Obey, Orders, Revere, Serve, Voice, Walk, Worshipping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 13:4

     7021   church, OT anticipations
     8138   monotheism
     8208   commitment, to God
     8336   reverence, and obedience
     8632   adoration

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

     7774   prophets, false

Deuteronomy 13:1-9

     8771   idolatry, objections

Deuteronomy 13:1-11

     8706   apostasy, warnings

Deuteronomy 13:3-4

     8832   testing

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
Knox was about this time summoned to be one of the preachers to the English at Geneva. He sent in advance Mrs. Bowes and his wife, visited Argyll and Glenorchy (now Breadalbane), wrote (July 7) an epistle bidding the brethren be diligent in reading and discussing the Bible, and went abroad. His effigy was presently burned by the clergy, as he had not appeared in answer to a second summons, and he was outlawed in absence. It is not apparent that Knox took any part in the English translation of the …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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