After reading chapter 13:
*This chapter is a stern repetition of the command not to follow other gods, no matter what. No one is to be trusted who would lure them into the worship of other gods. Not prophets or dreamers, even if they can work miracles and accurately forecast events. They must be put to death. Not brothers, sons or daughters, wives or close friends. They must be stoned to death without pity. In fact, the person they tried to entice away from Yahweh must cast the first stone. Then the rest of the Israelites will hear and be afraid. No kidding.
* If they hear about a town that has turned away from Yahweh to other gods, they must investigate. If it is true, they must slaughter the whole town and the livestock.They must gather all the plunder in the center of town and burn it as a sacrifice to the lord. Then it is to remain a ruin forever. This is to be done to turn away the fierce anger of the lord, so he doesn't take his wrath out on them. Then he will show them mercy and compassion. Though after reading this, what his mercy and compassion would look like is a mystery to me.
*Why doesn't Yahweh just tell them those other gods don't even exist? Why does an omnipotent, omniscient God even need to threaten and cajole? Doesn't he already know what will happen and the reasons for it? To what purpose is his anger? Not to mention that anger is an obviously human emotion.
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