Apostasy is having a knowledge of the truth and
yet turning away from that truth. In chapter 13 we see
the doom of the false prophets. The penalty to any false
prophet was death. God hated idolatry and apostasy so
much that the nearest of kin to the one who was found
guilty was not spared. If an entire city turned to
idolatry, the city was to be wholly destroyed and burned
by fire.

Apostasy is raging in the world today. People
who know the truth are living a lie. True, they have a
form of godliness, but they are denying the power
thereof. They may, very likely, be fooling man, but they
cannot fool God, for God looks on the heart. I’ve met
with people who are living a lie. They have fooled their
family and friends for years, but they cannot fool a God
who looks on the heart and who knows their true standing
before Him. As I talk with these people, I can see that
sin and guilt have destroyed them from within. Many of
them have had the chastisement and judgment of God upon
them because they are not honest with Him. My friend,
don’t invite God’s judgment and chastisement upon your
life; don’t gamble on His mercy. Even though He is a
merciful and loving God, He must chastise sin.

Chapter 14 gives instructions concerning the
separation of God’s people. The basis of separation was
that the children of the Lord were holy people, chosen
to be a peculiar people above all the nations that are
upon the earth. God wanted them to be completely
separated from the sinful customs of the heathen. He
gave separation and distinctions in food (verses 3-21)
and separation concerning pure religion (verses 22-29).

In chapter 15 the Sabbatic Year is again
covered. This was every seventh year, which brought rest
to the land and release from debts and obligations.
Notice also an enlargement of the previous Law given in
Exodus 23:10,11 and Leviticus 25:2-7.