Moses gave three speeches right before the nation of Israel entered into the land of Canaan and these addresses to the people marked important principles they were to remember prior to inhabiting the Promised Land. Moses’ words reflected on God’s faithfulness in the past (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43), reminded Israel about the importance of God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68), and challenged them to recommit themselves to obeying God so they would be able to experience God’s goodness once they occupied the land (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20). In the first half of Moses’ second speech (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68), he had provided a general principle that obedience leads to blessing and disobedience leads to cursings (Deuteronomy 5-11), but the second half of his speech would focus on specific instructions regarding worshiping properly (Deuteronomy 12:1-16:17), leading responsibly (Deuteronomy 16:18-18:22), maintaining orderly behavior in society (19:1-23:14), obeying various laws (Deuteronomy 23:15-25:19), and practicing tithes and firstfruits once entering the land (26:1-15).
God expected Israel’s worship to be distinct from pagan worship so He had given them specific instructions concerning worshiping properly. Moses discussed several topics which included pagan customs of mourning (14:1-2), clean/unclean foods (14:3-21), tithes (14:22-29), debts (15:1-6), caring for the poor (15:7-11), release of slaves (15:12-18), sacrifice of firstborn animals (15:19-23), the Passover (16:1-8), the Feast of Weeks (16:9-12), and the Feast of Tabernacles (16:13-17). Pagan customs of mourning (14:1-2) often involved cutting the body and shaving the head, which were forbidden practices to Israel. God’s people were a holy people who were to distinguish themselves from pagan practices. Clean and unclean foods (14:3-21) were listed so that Israel would not be tempted to fellowship with other nations who may lead them into worshiping other gods. Prohibiting the consumption of certain animals would probably eliminate Israel socializing with pagan people. The animals mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:3-21 were edible, while the list of animals in Leviticus 11:2-23 were not edible. Moses also discussed the principle of tithes (14:22-29) with Israel. One-tenth (a tithe) of the crops harvested each year were to be given to the Lord and a portion of that tithe was to be eaten in the presence of the Lord (14:22-23). If the sanctuary was too far for the individual to travel to offer his tithe, he was to sell the harvest locally and then exchange it for goods when he came near the sanctuary (14:24-27). Every third year the tithe of the harvest was to be stored in the closest town in order to provide for the Levites, orphans, widows, and strangers (14:28-29). Every seven years, debts (15:1-6) were to be canceled. The law of debt cancellation was a part of the sabbatical year which was described in Leviticus 25:1-7. The Israelites were to care for the poor (15:7-11) by being generous and sharing what they possessed. The sabbatical year would also be a time for the release of slaves (15:12-18). If a Hebrew had been serving another Hebrew for six years, he was to be freed in the seventh year. Moses also commanded Israel to sacrifice firstborn animals (15:19-23), which would have been a reminder that the firstborn in Egypt were put to death so that Israel could go free. In Deuteronomy 16 Moses discusses the three feasts which were required for all Israelite males to observe. The Passover (16:1-8) was described in Exodus 12:1-28, 43-49. This feast celebrated Israel’s exodus from Egypt and once they inhabited the land, Israel would participate in this feast at the sanctuary. The Feast of Weeks (16:9-12) was also referred to as the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16), day of firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-22), and would eventually be called Pentecost (Acts 2:1). This feast celebrated God’s provision for His people. The Feast of Tabernacles (16:13-17) lasted seven days and the Israelites would dwell in tents as a remembrance of their wandering in the wilderness dwelling in tents. This feast was also called the Feast of Ingathering or the Feast of Booths (Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Leviticus 23:33-43; Numbers 29:12-39). Carefully following these worship guidelines would help Israel maintain a proper relationship with God as well as keep them distinct from the pagan cultures surrounding them.
Dear God, may my worship be acceptable in Your sight.
