Deuteronomy 14-16

What I Noticed Today (Deuteronomy 14-16)

Deuteronomy 14

Deuteronomy 14 discusses forbidden practices and setting aside a tithe for the Lord.

The opening section of Chapter 14:1-21 is a great encouragement! Moses refers to the people as “sons of the Lord your God.” Despite all their rebellion, Moses refers to them as part of God’s family, a people holy to the Lord, chosen to be His treasured possession! This section opens and closes with the reminder that they should do this because “you are a people holy to the Lord your God.”

In verses 3-21, Moses describes three ways the Israelites are to be set apart:

• They were not to mutilate their bodies which was a common practice within pagan religions.
• They were not to eat unclean animals, fish, or birds.
• They must prepare their food in accordance with God’s laws to remain holy.

In verses 22-29, Moses deals with their tithes:

• They were to bring a tithe of their crop every year to a place God chooses, and they were to eat it and rejoice in God’s presence.
• Every third year their tithe was set aside for the Levites, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widows.
• It was God’s intention that the people would share their blessings with the less fortunate so they also could celebrate and rejoice in the Lord.
• Then the Lord will bless you in all the work that you do.

Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15 proclaims the requirements of the Sabbatical year (the seventh year).

In verses 1-11, debts were to be released:

• You must cancel debts at the end of every seventh year. You may continue to collect a debt from a foreigner, but not from other Israelites.
• When the Lord blesses you, you may lend to other nations, but you are not to borrow from them.
• You must not be stingy or hard-hearted against a neighbor who is poor. Instead, you must loan to him freely, and not worry about whether you are repaid. Then the Lord will bless you in all you do.

In verses 12-18, servants/slaves were to be released:

• A fellow Hebrew who sells himself to you to pay a debt must be released in the seventh year.
• When you release him, give generously to him from your flocks, winepress, and grains.
• But, if the slave desires to stay with you, pierce his ear with an awl, and he will become your slave for life.

In verses 19-23, the firstborn male animals are to be consecrated (Exodus 13:11-15):

• Every first-born male animal is to be set aside and consecrated to the Lord.
• Each ear you are to eat it before the Lord in the place the Lord chooses.
• If it has a defect, it cannot be sacrificed to the Lord but must be eaten at home.
• Both clean and unclean persons may eat it.
• The blood must not be eaten. It must be poured out on the ground.

Deuteronomy 16

In Deuteronomy 16 Moses highlights three of the seven feasts ordered by God (Leviticus 23):

• Verses 1-8. Feast of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles (or Booths). The Feast Unleavened Bread looks back as a reminder of how God saved and redeemed the people from the land of Egypt.
• Verses 9-12. The Feast of Weeks is a celebration of thanksgiving to God for the harvest and His provision.
• Verses 13-17. The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) is a reminder of the 40 years of desert wanderings

In verses 18-20, Moses commands the people to appoint judges and officials over the people:

• They are to judge righteously, not denying justice to anyone.
• They are not to accept bribes.
• The judges are to ensure that Asherah poles are not erected and that people do not worship them. The Lord hates them.

Some thoughts for further consideration:

• What a blessing it is to be part of God’s family! To be considered His sons and daughters, to be set apart, holy! But along with this blessing comes the responsibility to remain set apart to God. We are to be a witness to the world of what it means to follow God, and we are to do it in such a way that others are drawn to the Father.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Deuteronomy 17-20