When was the last time you heard a rumor?
Sorry, here’s a better question: How many rumors have you heard in the last week?
If you’re like me, it’s probably several. Most of them are off the cuff: “Did you hear…” or “I think that..” They’re everywhere, and many of them are (relatively) innocent.
The rumors described in Deuteronomy 17:2-7 are not innocent, however. In fact, if they’re confirmed, they will lead to someone’s death.
Moses has dealt with idol worship before. Back in Deuteronomy 13, he talks about three different groups of people and/or events to track. The first is if a prophet claims that God wants you to follow idols; the second is if your family member tries to convince you to follow idols; and the third is if an entire town is led astray.
In all three of those situations, death or destruction is the only available recourse. It’s assumed that the person or place is so far gone that the only recourse is to annihilate them so that their idolatry doesn’t infect anyone else.
Moses addresses roughly the same thing in Deuteronomy 17, but with an emphasis on someone worshipping the sun, moon, stars, or other heavenly bodies.
This type of worship could be public, demonstrated through altars or festival-keeping, or it could be personal and private. Someone may simply pass by and see their neighbor bowing to the full moon every time it arrives.
If that’s the case, then it should be reported, lest that person lead other people into idolatrous worship.
But how do you prove such a charge?
Deuteronomy 17 doesn’t give much to work with here aside from the command to “investigate thoroughly” to see if the charge is true. They’re brought before the city gates (one of the most public places in the city) where two or three witnesses can testify of the act.
It’s important to note that the “two or three witnesses” are not optional—they must testify in order for the execution to take place.
Deuteronomy 13:13-14 gives more context to these types of judgments. Three different phrases are used in a single verse: the matter should be “inquired thoroughly,” and “if it is true” and the “matter is established,” then the person is executed.
According to tradition, the matter was investigated by asking the witness seven questions pertaining to the time and the matter of the offense. If all the witnesses agree on the details, then the person is declared guilty.
As you can imagine, getting people to agree on anything is nearly impossible, and that’s kind of the point. In order for a local judge to take the life of an individual, this charge needs to be proven beyond doubt. The case needed to be ironclad; someone’s life was at stake.
Think about this the next time you hear a rumor. Nobody may physically die as a result of you believing a lie, but their reputation, their job, or their family may even suffer if it’s spread.
Instead, we should investigate thoroughly. And if there is no evidence, kill the rumor where it stands.