Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 12:30
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
This caution is based upon the notion generally entertained in the ancient pagan world, that each country had its own tutelary deities whom it would be perilous to neglect; compare 1Ki 20:23; 2Ki 17:26. Israel was to shun such superstitions as unworthy of the elect people of God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Deu 12:30
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following after them.
Danger of a conquered foe
It is a remarkable fact, and is proved by Dr. Bell (in his History of British Insects), that the poison of the rattlesnake is even secreted after death. Dr. Bell, in his dissections of the rattlesnakes which have been dead many hours, has found that the poison continued to be secreted so fast as to require to be dried up occasionally with sponge or rag. The immoral author, like these rattlesnakes, not only poisons during his lifetime, but after death: because his books possess the subtle power of secreting the venom to a horrible degree. A moral sponge is constantly called into requisition to obliterate his poison for many years after he himself has been dead. (Scientific Illustrations.)
Revival of a conquered sin
As the bough of a tree bent from its usual course returns to its old position as soon as the force by which it had yielded is removed; so do men return to their old habits as soon as the motives, whether of interest or fear, which had influenced them, are done away. Nature, says Lord Bacon, is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished. Let not a man trust his victory over his nature too far, for nature will lie buried a great time, and yet revive upon the occasion or temptation; like as it was with AEsops damsel, turned from a cat to a woman, who sat very demurely at the boards end till a mouse ran before her. The same philosopher gives the following admirable caution:–A mans nature runs either to herbs or weeds; therefore let him seasonably water the one and destroy the other.
Need for watchfulness
None are so likely to maintain watchful guard over their hearts and lives as those who know the comfort of living in near communion with God. They feel their privilege and will fear losing it. They will dread failing from their high estate, and marring their own comfort by bringing clouds between themselves and Christ. He that goes on a journey with little money about him takes little thought of danger, and cares little how late he travels. He, on the contrary, that carries gold and jewels, will be a cautious traveller; he will look well to his roads, his horses, and his company, and run no risks. The fixed stars are those that tremble most. The man that most fully enjoys the light of Gods countenance, will be a man tremblingly afraid of losing its blessed consolations, and jealously fearful of doing anything to grieve the Holy Ghost. (Bp. Ryle.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Snared; drawn into their sin and ruin.
After that they be destroyed; i.e. by following the example they left, when their persons are destroyed.
That thou inquire not after their gods, through curiosity to know their gods, and the manner of the worship, lest thy vain and foolish mind be seduced by its speciousness or newness.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Take heed to thyself, that thou be not snared by following them,…. Their examples and customs, and so be drawn into the same idolatrous practices; see Ps 106:35, after that they be destroyed from before thee; for their idolatries and other sins:
and that thou inquire not after their gods; what they were, their names, forms, and figures:
saying, how did these nations serve their gods? what was the manner of worship they gave them? what rites, customs, and ceremonies did they use in their adoration of them?
even so will I do likewise; or however, if this was not determined on when the inquiries were made, there was danger that this would be the result of them, and therefore the caution is given.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(30) Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared.A necessary caution. The fear of heathen deities often attached itself to their seats of worship. It was found necessary to caution Israel against the fear of them and the dread of them in much later times. (See Jer. 10:2-5.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Ver. 30. Enquire not after their gods, &c. The pretentious of the heathen deities, as Bishop Warburton observes, being mutually acknowledged by their distinct and proper followers; and some, by the fortunate circumstances of these followers, being risen into superior same, the rites used in their worship were eagerly sought for and imitated. It was likewise a general principle, that the local god was to have a necessary share in the worship of all who settled in the country; and those who were loth to leave their paternal gods when they sought new settlements, at least held themselves obliged to worship them with the rites, and according to the usages of the country which they came to inhabit. Against this more qualified principle of paganism, Moses thinks fit to caution the Israelites in this and the subsequent verses. Div. Leg. vol. 4: p. 40.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
How . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
that thou: Deu 7:16, Exo 23:31-33, Lev 18:3, Num 33:52, Jdg 2:2, Jdg 2:3, 2Ki 17:15, Psa 106:34-38, Eze 20:28
by following: Heb. after
How did: Jer 10:2, Eze 20:32, Rom 12:2, Eph 4:17, 1Pe 4:3, 1Pe 4:4
Reciprocal: Exo 8:26 – we shall Exo 23:24 – do after Exo 23:33 – it will surely Lev 20:23 – in the manners Deu 12:4 – General Deu 20:18 – General 2Ki 16:10 – saw an altar 2Ki 17:8 – walked Ezr 9:1 – doing according Psa 106:37 – they sacrificed Eze 11:12 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 12:30. By following them By following the example they left, when their persons are destroyed.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not {p} snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
(p) By following their superstitions and idolatries, and thinking to serve me by it.