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The Deuteronomy 13 Test for a False Prophet This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on sales. Have you ever pondered why the Jewish people fail to grasp the profound truth that Jesus, also known as Yeshua in Hebrew, is the long-awaited Messiah prophesied by the ancient Prophets? It appears incredibly straightforward to us. We often believe that if we simply introduce them to the New Testament, they will instantly comprehend its meaning. If they refuse it, the fault lies within them. However, should we not question our own role in this? What responsibility do we bear in the matter? If you are truly committed to your mission of evangelization, then prepare yourself for the ultimate challenge: Can you effectively demonstrate to someone of Jewish faith that Yeshua is the long-awaited Messiah?  Paul's daily routine in the synagogues, as portrayed in the Book of Acts, was dedicated to spreading the truth. Countless Jews were enlightened, recognizing Yeshua as the long-awaited Messiah who selflessly atoned for our sins.
But, that is not happening so much today.
Why? It's confusing to us that Jews today have no greater understanding of the Scriptures than their ancestors did in the first century. How would you approach a conversation with someone who is Jewish? Can you effectively persuade them that Yeshua is indeed the long-awaited Messiah? Is there any reason why they might have reservations about Yeshua? During the initial fourteen years following the crucifixion, an immense number of Jews, consisting of thousands upon thousands, eagerly sought knowledge about the first arrival of their Messiah and His true identity. At that time, the focus was primarily on the Jews, with the Gentiles not yet playing a significant role. The Book of Acts provides detailed accounts of this historical reality, which is widely acknowledged and accepted. Why haven't thousands, if not tens of thousands of Jews embraced their Jewish Messiah Yeshua as they did in the first century? What altered the course of events? What caused this to cease? Are many teaching something different from what our Messiah truly taught? Are many teaching something different from what the Apostles taught? Are many teaching something different from what Paul taught? These men managed to introduce the Messiah to a multitude of Jews. What could possibly be the obstacle today? What exactly is our dilemma? There are various issues that need to be addressed, but they are not insurmountable. It is possible that these problems stem from a misinterpretation of prophecy or an excessive attachment to traditions that contradict the teachings of God's Word. This can lead to a state of blindness, as highlighted in Mark 7:13. When one's own doctrine is contrary to the Word of God, it can be challenging to perceive Yeshua as the embodiment of God's message (John 1:14; Rev. 19:13). These difficulties are particularly relevant for certain individuals within the Jewish community. While overcoming these challenges may require a considerable amount of time and patience, they are by no means insurmountable. Paul experienced both success and failure throughout his journeys. Although it is true that some of the Jews were separated from the Tree, as mentioned in Romans 11, it is important to acknowledge that many of them truly embraced the message of Yeshua. This transformation was made possible through the teachings of the Apostles, especially Paul. Let's explore the primary obstacle that often prevents Jews from embracing Yeshua (Jesus) as the long-awaited Messiah. During the first century, Paul frequently engaged in teaching the Word of God and spreading the teachings of Messiah in various synagogues.  “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). “Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17). “And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews” (Acts 17:17). “And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). To have impactful discussions with Jews, a deep understanding of prophecy and Yeshua's Gospel accounts is essential. Although challenging, Paul's efforts with the Jews proved fruitful on certain occasions. Additionally, as previously stated, Jewish leadership frequently opposed Paul, just as they did with Yeshua. Paul, similarly to Yeshua, posed a grave threat to the established religious system based on traditions and doctrines, which Yeshua condemned as a manifestation of lawlessness. Paul, like Yeshua in Mark 7, John 7:19, and Matthew 23, fervently denounced the traditions and doctrines that contradicted the teachings of Moses. Yeshua's message can be summarized as recognizing the goodness of what Moses wrote, while criticizing the Jewish leadership for their misguided traditions and doctrines that contradicted Moses. A significant number of Jews turned away from the misleading religious practices and traditions that arose from this theological evolution. Instead, they chose to devote themselves exclusively to the Word of God and Yeshua. As a result, the Jewish leadership grew increasingly anxious. Their nerves were rattled by the emerging threat to their power and influence.  To clarify, Yeshua and His followers did not oppose the teachings of Moses. Instead, they opposed the Oral Law or the "commandments of men", as they were known among the Jews of that day. Today, the ancient compilation of Jewish oral law is widely known and recognized as the Talmud. This sacred text encompasses the expansive wisdom that was meticulously transcribed and enriched with additional insights, thus augmenting the divine Law revealed to the Jewish people. They constructed barriers surrounding the Word of God, imposing their own intricate commandments dictating how God's people should follow His Commandments. They excessively restricted the guidelines and even created new ones. It's ironic that the same thing has happened within traditional Christianity. The construction of formidable barriers around God's Word had the unfortunate consequence of obscuring the essence of the Word itself within their teachings and behavior. Consequently, God's Word became veiled and, as Yeshua declared, rendered ineffective. A false religion was constructed, distorting the true essence of God's Word. Man-made commandments transformed God's Law into a heavy burden, to the point where it ceased to be divine and instead became a complex framework built upon God's Law.
On the Sabbath, our Creator commanded us to rest. However, the "oral law" developed numerous guidelines to determine the true essence of resting and abstaining from work. These instructions were provided by individuals who "claimed" to understand how to fulfill God's Commandments.

Instead of following God, they were actually following a mere man. In this system, men assumed the role of God. Those who held power in this oral law system started to feel their authority and practices being challenged by Yeshua and His followers. Yeshua and His Disciples were dedicated to guiding people to follow the Word of God, rather than the mere commandments of human beings. The profound impact of this approach led to the Pharisees and Sadducees making a decision to take action against those that threatened their false ways. It was necessary for them to create the impression that Yeshua was contradicting Moses' teachings, as opposing the Talmud's authority, since it did not directly originate from God's Law. They became infuriated when others refused to adhere to their doctrines and traditions outlined in the Talmud. This is where things start to get intriguing. Jewish leaders were unable to provide evidence that Yeshua and His followers went against the teachings of Moses. As a result, they resorted to fabricating false witnesses against them. Regrettably, Stephen's story is one of a Jew who strayed from his religious customs and instead chose to devote himself solely to Yeshua and the teachings of God's Word. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us” (Acts 6:13). It is evident that claiming that Yeshua altered the ways of God, as stated by Moses, is categorized as false testimony here. However, if this were true, it would actually constitute true testimony, rather than false testimony. Just like Yeshua, they attempted to do the exact thing. In Luke 6:1-2, they unjustly accused Him of Sabbath-breaking, when in truth, He was merely challenging Jewish traditions and doctrines. When it comes to the Law of God, there is no violation of any of His Commandments when one picks and consumes grain on the Sabbath. Nowhere in the Bible can such a commandment be found. Nonetheless, it does violate specific rabbinical commandments. The Talmud says: 'In case a woman rolls wheat to remove the husks, it is considered as sifting; if she rubs the heads of wheat, it is regarded as threshing; if she cleans off the side-adherencies, it is sifting out fruit; if she bruises the ears, it is grinding; if she throws them up in her hand, it is winnowing'" Yeshua could not have broken any of God's Commandments, as doing so would mean committing sin according to (1 John 3:4). Therefore, He remained our flawless sacrifice. If any doctrine presents Yeshua as teaching or practicing anything that contradicts the writings of Moses or any established truth in the Word, it inevitably undermines the perfection of His sacrifice. The Talmud provides specific instructions for hand washing before a meal, and interestingly, Yeshua once challenged the Pharisees' beliefs regarding this practice. “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:5). Observe how the Pharisees and scribes emphasize the importance of following the tradition of the elders rather than the Commandments of God. They audaciously attempt to correct and admonish Yeshua and His Disciples, solely relying on human tradition rather than divine Commandments. It is evident that washing hands is not inherently harmful; in fact, most individuals nowadays practice the habit of washing their hands before meals. The association of spiritual purity and impurity with their commandments indeed posed a significant challenge. They went as far as detailing the proper procedure for hand-washing rituals. For those interested, all the information can be found in the Jewish Talmud. It is only God who can determine the circumstances and actions that make a person clean or unclean. In their arrogance, people have exceeded their limits by assuming authority that belongs solely to God. Yeshua was motivated by this to instruct them to return solely to what Moses wrote, forsaking their futile traditions and doctrines. He urged them to re-establish their submission to God's authority, rather than placing themselves above it. “He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.  And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and,‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus, you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that ” (Mark 7:8-13). The Jews held their ways in high regard, oblivious to their own errors. Yeshua, in Matthew 23, pointed out that despite reciting the Law of God word-for-word from Moses' Seat, they failed to actually apply it in their teachings and actions. Instead, they established their own set of commandments and practices. For example, they emphasized the importance of washing hands before partaking of bread, and adhering to the rule of not rubbing two grains together on the Sabbath. They taught two distinct sets of laws—one derived from the writings of Moses on the Seat of Moses, while the other originated from the Talmud, the oral law, which countered and invalidated the teachings of Moses. According to Yeshua, those individuals are referred to as hypocrites. He advises us to prioritize the former rather than the latter.