Family first? Really? Deuteronomy 13-15

We have a lot of talk in our society about the big three: God, Family, Country.   Everyone seems to want to put those in some particular order.   Some may even add "Career" but I doubt it.   I don't feel comfortable attacking anyones particular order but we do here from a lot that family trumps a lot of things.   That is what makes this passage in Deut. 13 so remarkable.   The nation of Israel was told by God that if a family member steps away from God and attempts to lead you and others in the family away to serve other gods then the family, first and foremost, was to kill them (13:6-11). That is a remarkable instruction from God.   Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this is not the killing part but the reason.   In 13:10 we see that the reason for this "cleaning of house" is because the nation had been "redeemed from Egypt" and were to be "different" from the other nations.   That is the overall theme of this entire three chapters.  Our redemption and God's claim on our lives as a result trumps everything.   We see people not attend worship for "family" events.  We see God constantly taking second place behind "family."  We truly have a "family first" concept in our country and particularly in our Christian culture.   I don't think God wants us to "kill" family members physically today if those family members step away from God.  But, if family attempts to draw you away from God you and I are obligated to separate ourselves from that influence and we are not to attempt to put family first when it comes to our relationship with God.   Christ told those around Him that His "family" was those who were with Him in a personal relationship.   Put the big three in any oder you want.   But, God has already established Himself as First.