Following After a God
by Daniel J. Dyke
The phrase "follow _______," in which the blank refers either
to the true God or a false god, is problematical. Does it refer to
merely adhering to the deity in devotion or is it a reference to participating
in "pilgrimage rituals" The first would be an attitude and the second
an act of religion. Notice the following passages from Deuteronomy:
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(Dt. 6:14) "You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the
peoples who surround you,
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(Dt. 12:30) "beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after
they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their
gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do
likewise?'
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(Dt. 13:4) "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and
you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling
to Him.
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(Dt. 1:36) except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and
to him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set foot, because
he has followed the LORD fully.'
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(Dt. 4:3) "Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case
of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God
has destroyed them from among you.
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(Dt. 33:3) "Indeed, He loves the people; All Your holy ones are in
Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.
1 is ambiguous in that either interpretation could be made to fit.
2, 5, and 6 fit the concept of the "pilgrimage ritual" if you read the
overall context and background stories.
3 and 4 fit the concept of devotion.