1. Be careful not to be ensnared (12:29-32)

The Lord was about to displace the nations of Canaan and give the land to his people. He reminded them not to be enticed to worship as the Canaanites did, for their practices were detestable to the Lord.

2. Purge evil from your midst (13:1-18)

The temptation to follow other gods might come to the people from prophets, family members or other people in Israel. No matter the source, the response that the Lord commanded was the same. They should purge the evil from among them. Following other gods is turning away from the Lord. It is rejecting his way of worship. At the same time, all these things are not outside of God's sovereignty. They are God given, to test his people's love for him (3) and to refine the nation as the people of God's word, mercy and compassion. When we are tempted, we can be reminded that God is purging sin and refining us as his people, who love him with all of our heart and soul.