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:

  1. (Dt. 6:14)  "You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you,
  2. (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?'
  3. (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.
  4. (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.'
  5. (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.
  6. (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.