Deuteronômio 26
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 26
Utley - “you shall take some of the first of all the produce” The exact amount for the offering of the first fruits is not specified (but it could fit in one basket, cf. vv. 3, 4). This account seems to be a one time event on the plains of Moab but it reflects a later regular harvest ritual (cf. Ex 22:29; 23:16, 19). This practice was a metaphorical way of showing God’s ownership of the entire crop. The same ownership symbolism is exemplified in (1) the firstborn; (2) tithing; (3) the Sabbath; (4) the sabbath year; and (5) the Year of Jubilee. (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name - NLT = "bring it to the designated place of worship-- the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored." They are to go to the central sanctuary with their basket of firstfruits. NET NOTE - The place where he chooses to locate his name. This is a circumlocution for the central sanctuary, first the tabernacle and later the Jerusalem temple. See Deut 12:1–14 and especially the note on the word “you” in v. 14. (Deuteronomy 26) Utley - the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name” This refers to God’s choice of the location of the central sanctuary, which is a distinctly Deuteronomic emphasis (cf. Dt 12:5, 11, 14, 18, 21, 26; 14:23, 24, 25; 15:20; 16:2, 6, 7, 11, 15, 16; 17:8, 10; 18:6; 26:2; 31:11). It was originally at Gilgal, then Shechem, then Shiloh, then Mizpah, and later, after David’s conquest of Jebus, Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sa 5:6–7; 1 Chr. 11:5, 7). The purpose of a central sanctuary was tribal and religious unity. It was also to keep the Israelites away from local Ba’al shrines. (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) IVP Bible Background Commentary - first-fruit offering in ancient Near East. The religious principle involved in offering the “first fruits” (animal, vegetable or human) to the gods is based on the promotion of fertility. From earliest times the assumption was made that the gods created life in its various forms and that they expected to receive as their due offering the first of the harvest or the first fruit of the womb. Israelite religion tempered this by allowing for the redemption of some animals and all human firstborn males (Ex 13:11–13; Num 18:14–15). The giving of the first fruits could also take on a political character. The Assyrian annals of Sennacherib (705–681 B.C.) contain his command that conquered peoples pay their first-fruit offerings of sheep, wine and dates to the gods of Assyria. Deuteronomy 26:3 "You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, 'I declare this day to the LORD my God that I have entered the land which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.' the priest: De 19:17 Heb 7:26 10:21 13:15 1Pe 2:5 which the: Ge 17:8 26:3 Ps 105:9,10 Lu 1:72,73 Heb 6:16-18 Deuteronomy 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CONFESSION OF FIRSTFRUITS PART 1 - AFFIRMATION OF ABRAHAMIC COVENANT You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him - Not necessarily the high priest. This begins the rather lengthy confession (see entire confession in one paragraph). 'I declare this day to the LORD my God that I have entered the land which the LORD swore (Heb “swore on oath.”) to our fathers to give us - The first part of their confession was an acknowledgement of God's Faithfulness to fulfill the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant to give them the promised land. NET NOTE on "my God" - For the MT reading “your God,” certain LXX MSS have “my God,” a contextually superior rendition followed by some English versions (e.g., NAB, NASB, TEV). Perhaps the text reflects dittography of the kaf (ך) at the end of the word with the following preposition כִּי (ki). (Deuteronomy 26) Deuteronomy 26:4 "Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. before the: Mt 5:23,24 23:19 Heb 13:10-12 Deuteronomy 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FIRSTFRUITS PLACED IN FRONT OF YAHWEH Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God - The basket of firstfruits is presented to the priest at the Tabernacle and the priest places it before the altar of Jehovah. This altar would be outside the Tent of Meeting because only priests were allowed into the tabernacle. Kalland points out that "Though v.10 says that the man was to place the basket before the Lord and bow down before him (in worship), this is not contradictory (or in addition) to v.4, which says that the priest was to set it down in front of the altar. Not infrequently one statement speaks as though a certain person does a thing while another statement clarifies the action by stating more precisely that another person actually performs the deed for him. (Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 3: Deuteronomy) Deuteronomy 26:5 "You shall answer and say before the LORD your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty and populous nation. wandering Aramean. Ge 24:4 25:20 28:5 31:20,24 Ho 12:12 ready: Ge 27:41 31:40 43:1,2,12 45:7,11 Isa 51:1,2 he went down: Ge 46:1-7 Ps 105:23,24 Ac 7:15 few: De 7:7 Ge 46:27 Ex 1:5 became: De 10:22 Ge 47:27 Ex 1:7,12 Deuteronomy 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CONFESSION OF FIRSTFRUITS PART 2 - FEW BECOME A GREAT NATION After the basket of firstfruits is placed before the altar, the person bringing the token offering repeats the rest of the confession (below) You shall answer and say before the LORD your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there (dwelt as a newcomer or resident alien - Ge 47:4), few in number; but there he became a great, mighty and populous nation - My father is Jacob, later called "Israel," who was considered the "father" of all the Israelite people. He is called a wandering Aramean (Lxx translation = "My father abandoned Syria") because (1) his early life had been nomadic and (2) he had initially fled from his home in Beersheba and passed through Paddan-aram, some 400 miles northeast of Jerusalem (cf Ge 24:4, 10, Ge 25:20), on his trek to Mesopotamia where he lived with his uncle Laban. The fact that they became a a great, mighty and populous nation is testimony to God's faithfulness to His covenant promise to Abram in Genesis 12:2+ "I will make you a great nation" and Genesis 15:5+ "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Utley on “few in number” In Gen. 46:27 and Ex. 1:5 it says that they were originally only 70 persons. When they left Egypt their number was as high (cf. 1:10; 10:22; Exod. 1:9) as 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 persons. The number depends on the proper interpretation of the Hebrew term “thousand.” It can mean (1) a literal 1,000; (2) a clan; or (3) a military unit (cf. Ex 12:37). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary)
Deuteronômio 26
Utley - “by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm” These are anthropomorphic idioms (Anthropomorphic Language to describe God) used to describe YHWH’s power of deliverance on behalf of Israel (cf. Dt 5:15; 6:21; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; 26:8). In some texts the phrase is shortened to “mighty hand” (cf. Dt 3:24; 6:21; 7:8; 9:26; Josh. 4:24) or “outstretched arm” (cf. Dt 9:29; Exod. 6:6). This idiomatic terminology has a specific parallel in Egyptian texts related to the “king”. (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) In a number of places there is a reference to God’s outstretched hand. The phrase in Ex 6:6, בִּזְרֹועַ נְטוּיָה וּבִשְׁפָטִים גְּדֹלִים (“with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment”) should be distinguished from the phrase בְּיָ֤ד חֲזָקָה֙ וּבִזְרֹועַ נְטוּיָה (“by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm”) in Deut 4:34. This latter phrase also occurs in Dt 5:15; 7:19; 11:2; 26:8, and in the literature influenced by Deuteronomy (1 Ki 8:42; Ps 136:12; Jer 32:21; Ezek 20:33, 34; cf. also 2 Chron 6:32). Mighty hand may appear alone (Deut 3:24; 6:21; 7:8; 9:26; Josh 4:24), as may “outstretched arm” (Ex 6:6; Deut 9:29). Both expressions have their counterpart in Egyptian royal typology. Thus, in the Amarna texts there is reference to the Egyptian king’s “strong arm” (zuruḥ dannu; in EA 286:12; 287:27; 288:14, 34) by Abdi-hepa, king of Jerusalem. For the phrase “outstretched arm” (cf. Egyptian pḏ ḏrt, or pḏʿ, or pḏ ʿimnt) and the representations of the outstretched arm of kings and gods in Egyptian iconography, see Keel, 158–60. (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 92) MIGHTY HAND AND AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM Both the arm and the hand are biblical images of power. Typically such images suggest power toward a purpose, although the agent may be either divine or human. For example, the psalmist praises the Lord, whose “arm is endued with power” (Ps 89:13NIV); but elsewhere he pleads with God to “break the arm of the wicked and evil man” (Ps 10:15) who preys upon the weak. Depending on context the images of the arm or hand can represent power in action, either good or evil. Dominating all else is the epithet “outstretched arm” (nearly twenty references, e.g., Ex 6:6 and 15:16; Deut 4:34). Whenever this formulaic phrase appears, it is always in reference to the power of God. This image can apply to God’s power in creation, in the deliverance of his people or in his judgment. In Jeremiah such imagery carries the theme of God as Creator. It is “by great power and outstretched arm” (Jer 32:17) that the Lord creates the heavens and the earth; when God speaks to the nations surrounding Israel, he uses the same image to describe his creation of the earth and its creatures (Jer 27:5). In Deuteronomy the outstretched arm of God appears repeatedly as an image of God’s power to redeem Israel from slavery in Egypt. Here the image is especially vivid: God stretches forth his arm, reaching his people where they are and saving them from their distress. Such an event is a unique attestation of God’s power; nothing like it has ever been seen before (Deut 4:34). In reference to God’s deliverance of Israel, Moses describes God’s “mighty hand and outstretched arm” in a synonymous parallel “with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders” (Deut 26:8). Israel’s deliverance and all the miraculous events accompanying it are contained in the image of God’s outstretched arm. But God’s outstretched arm also functions as a picture of divine judgment. In response to Israel’s idolatry, God allows the Babylonians to take Jerusalem, proclaiming, “I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in anger and fury and great wrath” (Jer 21:5). The image is powerfully ironic: the very power of God that brought Israel into being is now allied with Babylon toward her defeat. (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery) Related Resource: What does it mean that God is a God of wonders? | GotQuestions.org Deuteronomy 26:9 and He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He has: Jos 23:14 1Sa 7:12 Ps 105:44 107:7,8 Ac 26:22 a land: Ex 3:8 Eze 20:6,15 Related Passages: Joshua 23:14 “Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. Exodus 3:8 “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Exodus 3:17 “So I said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ Exodus 13:5 “It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. Exodus 33:3 “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.” CONFESSION OF FIRSTFRUITS PART 6 - LAND OF MILK AND HONEY and He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey - So God brought they out and now was preparing to bring them into the Promised Land. Notice there is not mention of the "Wilderness Wanderings!" Utley - a land flowing with milk and honey” This was both a physical description and the legal designation for Palestine in the Assyrian documents. God gave them a wonderfully productive and beautiful inheritance (i.e., Canaan or Palestine, cf. Dt 6:3; 11:9; 26:9; 27:3; 31:20). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) Milk and honey - Exod. 3:8; Exod. 3:17; Exod. 13:5; Exod. 33:3; Lev. 20:24; Num. 13:27; Num. 14:8; Num. 16:13; Num. 16:14; Deut. 6:3; Deut. 11:9; Deut. 26:9; Deut. 26:15; Deut. 27:3; Deut. 31:20; Jos. 5:6; Jer. 11:5; Jer. 32:22; Ezek. 20:6; Ezek. 20:15 LAND FLOWING WITH MILK & HONEY “A land flowing with milk and honey,” a phrase that encapsulates the abundant goodness of the Promised Land, first appears in God’s conversation with Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3:8. It subsequently occurs fourteen times in the Pentateuch, once in Joshua and several times in Jeremiah and Ezekiel within contexts alluding to Israel’s history. A few passages, such as Deuteronomy 8:7–9 and 11:10–12, give detailed descriptions of the land’s suitability for agriculture. According to these descriptions, the land destined for settlement boasts abundant water, wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey. The phrase “land of milk and honey” uses two important agricultural products as a summary statement about the lush conditions of the land. The twelve men who spied out the land exclaimed, “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!” (Num 13:27NIV). Why did milk and honey become the favored pair of items for the evocative epithet, when other options existed? Since the Bible does not itself explicate the epithet, we are left to surmise. Next to bread, milk was the most important staple in the diet of the Hebrews. A land that produced an abundance of milk had to be rich in pasturage, so by extension a picture of successful farming enters one’s imagination. Honey, valued for its sweetness rather than as a necessity of life, was rare enough to rank as a luxury. As images of desirability and abundance, therefore, these two images combine to form a picture of total satisfaction. The image of “flowing” suggests a rich fullness that surpasses all need and sets up a contrast with the arid wilderness. Perhaps they are even an example of Hebrew merism (naming opposites to cover everything between as well), suggesting the whole spectrum of food, from the necessary to the luxurious. (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery) Deuteronomy 26:10 'Now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, O LORD have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God; I have: De 26:2 26:17 1Ch 29:14 Ro 2:1 1Pe 4:10,11 And you: De 26:4 18:4 Ex 22:29 Nu 18:11-13 worship: De 6:10-13 Ps 22:27,29 86:9 95:6 Pr 3:9 Isa 66:23 Rev 22:9 1Co 10:31 CONFESSION OF FIRSTFRUITS PART 7 - WORSHIP Now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, O LORD have given me - The confession associated with the presentation of the firstfruits of the land ends in this passage. The is the tangible evidence that God was faithful to keep His promises. Note the emphasis again is on the fact that the land (ground) was a gift from Yahweh, given by His grace and not because they had earned it or deserved it. The natural human tendency is to forget the grace of God and His gracious gifts to us and this ritual of firstfruits was to be a "memory jogger" so that Israel maintained a proper spiritual perspective on all of life. (cf the warning in Dt 8:11-20+). THOUGHT - Believers do well to have a frequent "firstfruits ritual" (e.g., an "attitude of gratitude ritual" not legalistically but as the Spirit leads under grace) reminding themselves and glorifying God, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Ro 11:36+) Also presentation of our bodies to God as a living sacrifice is an act of worship we would do well to practice frequently. In one sense we should do it definitively, once and for all, but in another sense it is good to repeat this presentation to the Holy One as it energizes our memory as to whose we are and who we are in Christ. (see Ro 12:1+) And you shall set it down before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God - In Dt 26:4 the priest takes the basket from their hand. This is not a discrepancy because in giving it to the priest they were in effect setting it down before the LORD, the priest simply functioning as the intermediary and Moses does not give us a detailed account of the actual ritual. The fact that they have firstfruits to set down before Yahweh implies that one growing season has past. An alternative thought is that the Israelites dedicated the produce they found growing. Either way what James says holds true "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17+) Worship (bow down, prostrate oneself - in the Hithpael stem = expresses "reflexive" action) (07812) shachah means to bow down, to prostrate oneself, to crouch, to fall down, to humbly beseech, to do reverence, to worship. The idea is to assume a prostrate position as would in paying homage to royalty (Ge 43:28) or to God (Ge 24:26, Ps 95:6). The idea inherent in shachah is to take a bowing stance, as a position of submission to a superior, in this context Yahweh. Observe some of the uses of shachah n the Psalms as they are very instructive/convicting - Ps. 5:7; Ps. 22:27; Ps. 22:29; Ps. 29:2; Ps. 45:11; Ps. 66:4; Ps. 72:11; Ps. 81:9; Ps. 86:9; Ps. 95:6; Ps. 96:9; Ps. 97:7; Ps. 99:5; Ps. 99:9; Ps. 106:19; Ps. 132:7; Ps. 138:2. The Septuagint translates shachah with proskuneo (pros = before + kuneo = kiss/adore) means to prostrate oneself in homage before another in the full sense of worship, not mere reverence or courtesy. When Jesus Christ was born into this world, He was attended and worshipped by angels. (Lu 2:13f+). Proskuneo represents the most common Near Eastern act of adoration and reverence and also carries the idea of profound awe and respect. The word proskuneo literally means to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore and so to worship and show respect. In the ancient Oriental (especially Persia) the mode of salutation between persons of equal rank was to kiss each other on the lips. When the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek. When one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, and as he was bowing down he would be throwing kisses toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that is intended by the Greek writers in the use of the verb proskuneo . THOUGHT - Indeed, let all believers "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array." (Ps 29:2) Is your "array" holy (cf Ro 12:1+)? If not it is time to obey Peter's command "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) holy (hagios) yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:14-16+) Play and ponder the words of the great hymn Take Time to Be Holy, and then live it out and BE HOLY empowered by His Holy Word and His Holy Spirit! That's the way to really worship Yahweh, not just singing on Sunday, but living holy lives Monday through Saturday! Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide; And run not before Him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, Each thought and each motive beneath His control. Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. Deuteronomy 26:11 and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given you and your household. rejoice: De 12:7,12,18 16:11 28:47 Ps 63:3-5 100:1,2 Isa 65:14 Zec 9:17 Ac 2:46,47 Php 4:4 1Ti 6:17,18 the Levite: 1Co 9:11 REJOICING BEFORE THE LORD and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given you and your household - Note the motive for rejoicing are the good gifts of the LORD (Isn't this a "worship service" each of us could have every single day, for every day He gives us good gifts!) The worship in v12 is to be a time of great rejoicing. The Levites and aliens are mentioned as they both in some way were dependent on the Israelites for their "fruits." Deuteronomy 16:11+ And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name. Utley - Worship should be joyful! Reverence cannot be defined as silence and somberness! The rabbis later used this verse to refer to rejoicing over the giving of the Law (cf.Dt 26:14). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary)
Deuteronômio 26
Utley - “in the third year” This refers to the “poor tithe,” administered locally by the tither, but attested to at the central sanctuary (cf. Dt 26:13). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) Eugene Merrill notes that "it is not entirely clear what was meant by the “third year” tithe. Most likely, what normally went to the Lord at the central sanctuary (Deut 14:22–27) was to go to the needy, including the levites, every third year (Deut 14:28–29). One would still be giving to God by giving to his people (cf. Matt 10:42; 25:40), so the significance of the tithe as tribute was in no wise diminished." This understanding is reinforced by the reference to the tithe here as “the sacred portion” (v. 13; Heb. haqqōdeš, “the holy thing”), a term that suggests its exclusive ownership by the Lord (cf. Lev 5:15–16; 19:24; 27:28). Furthermore, the offerer was to say, “I have removed from my house the sacred portion,” the verb (bāʿar) referring here in this cultic context to the presentation to the Lord of consecrated things that belong to him. The literal meaning is “to exterminate,” that is, to totally separate what is God’s from one’s house so that it might (as here) be given to others (NAC-Dt) In the third year - A major aspect of Israelite legal tradition involves making provision for groups classified as weak or poor: widows, orphans and the resident alien (see Ex 22:22; Dt 10:18–19; 24:17–21). Thus the tithe from the third year (not an additional tithe in that year) is to be set aside and used to support the vulnerable of society. Concern for the needy is evident in Mesopotamian legal collections as early as the mid-third millennium, but this generally addresses protection of rights and guarantee of justice in the courts rather than financial provision. (IVP Bible Background Commentary) To the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow. Because they lack either land or the protection of a household, it becomes the obligation of the nation to provide food and legal protection to these vulnerable people (see 1:16). In this case, the form of support which they are to receive is the tithe in the third year. However, it may be presumed that additional provision was made throughout the year, every year, for them (see Ruth 2:2–18). (IVP Bible Background Commentary) SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION A. Scripture References: For Priests and Central Sanctuary For Local Levites For Local Poor 1. Lev. 27:30–32+ 2. Deut. 12:6–7, 11, 17+ Deut. 12:12+ 3. Deut. 14:22–26+ Deut. 14:27+ Deut. 14:28–29+ 4. Deut. 26:12–15+ 5. Num. 18:21–24+ Nu 18:25–29+ (Levites must tithe of their tithe to central shrine) Num. 18:21–29+ 6. Neh. 10:37, 38 Neh. 12:44 7. Mal. 3:8, 9+ B. Examples of tithing predate Mosaic legislation 1. Genesis 14:20, Abraham to Melchizedek (Heb. 7:2–9) 2. Genesis 28:22, Jacob to YHWH C.Tithes of Israel were used to support the central sanctuary, but every third year the national tithes were directed exclusively to the local poor. Deuteronomy 26:13 "You shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments. Levite: De 26:12 14:29 24:19-21 Job 31:16-20 I have not: Ps 18:21-24 26:1-3,6 Ac 24:16 2Co 1:12 11:31 1Th 2:10 1Jn 3:17-22 forgotten: Ps 119:93,139,141,153,176 Pr 3:1 ANOTHER CONFESSION PART 1 - GIVEN TO THE NEEDY You shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow - Sacred portion or set apart portion because it is set apart to Yahweh (cf. Lev 27:30). First the Israelite is to make a "positive confession" (see "negative" in following passage). Sacred (holy) (06944) qodesh kodhesh) is a masculine noun which means set apart, distinct, unique. Qodesh describes that which has been consecrated or set apart for sacred use and was not to be used for common or profane tasks. If it were used for profane things, in simple terms, it became "not holy." NET NOTE - Heb “the sacred thing.” The term הַקֹּדֶשׁ (haqqodesh) likely refers to an offering normally set apart for the LORD but, as a third-year tithe, given on this occasion to people in need. Sometimes this is translated as “the sacred portion” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV), but that could sound to a modern reader as if a part of the house were being removed and given away. (Deuteronomy 26) According to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments -To forget is just one step away from transgression! The declaration of this affirmation would itself serve as a good memory jogger! Deuteronomy 26:14 'I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me. eaten: De 16:11 Lev 7:20 21:1,11 Ho 9:4 Mal 2:13 the dead: Ps 106:28 Eze 24:17 Related Passages: Psalm 106:28 They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead. ANOTHER CONFESSION PART 2 - OBEDIENCE AFFIRMED I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead - NLT = I have not eaten any of it while in mourning; I have not handled it while I was ceremonially unclean; and I have not offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God and have done everything you commanded me." Here each Israelite makes three statements of denial (a "negative confession" so to speak), all of which relate to maintenance of purity because even some of the mourning rites were pagan (and impure). Note this is not referring to the Israelite eating unclean food but speaks of the fact that he himself is not unclean, as he would be by partaking in any of these activities. Utley - “while mourning” Some mourning rites were pagan in origin. This Hebrew word is associated with idolatry (BDB 19, cf. Hos. 9:4 and Jer. 16:5–7), which includes some of these local pagan customs. Many scholars believe all of the procedures mentioned in v. 14 relate to local Canaanite annual worship practices. (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) Merrill on mourning - The noun translated “mourning” (ʾōneh) is derived not from the verb ʾāwan (“be strong, mighty”) but from ʾānâ (“mourn”). It occurs only one other time in Hos 9:4 in the context of pagan rituals in which grain and wine were consumed and offered as sacrifices (Hos 9:1–5). Israelite mourning, to the contrary, was to include fasting as Ezek 24:15–24 makes clear. Ordinary mourning occasioned by death was not in view here, however, for the offerer was to disclaim having made any offering to the dead. This no doubt is to be understood in terms of Canaanite ritual in which deities such as Baal who had been consigned to the Netherworld were sustained by food offerings until they could revive and return to their procreative function on the earth. (NAC-Dt) I have not eaten of it while mourning This threefold litany of ritual purity and obedience, similar in form to Job’s “oath of clearance” (Job 31:), maintains that the offerer has not contaminated the sacred meal by being in an impure state. For example, persons who had come in contact with the dead were considered unclean (Lev 5:2). Hittite ritual for the preparation of the king’s food and meal offerings for the gods included meticulous attention to physical cleanliness as well as the exclusion of ritually impure animals (dogs and pigs) and ritually unclean persons. The Deuteronomic statute may also be tied to ritual meals associated with the ancestor cult or with Canaanite or Mesopotamian fertility rituals (see women mourning for Dumuzi/ Tammuz in Ezek 8:14). (IVP Bible Background Commentary) Offered any of it to the dead - In this case the assurance is given that the sacrificial meal has not been contaminated by unclean persons or polluting actions, such as giving a portion as an offering to the dead (aka pagan ancestral worship practices). This might include food provided for the spirit of a dead person, to strengthen it for its journey to Sheol (as seen in Tobit 4:17) or to learn something of the future (Deut 18:11). In addition, an association between eating “sacrifices offered to the dead” and the worship of the Canaanite god Baal is made in Psalm 106:28. Either purpose would place reliance on powers other than Yahweh, and both were therefore condemned by the biblical writer as polluting and leading to destruction. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me - This would be an addendum to the Israelites "positive confession" in verse 14. With his lips the individual who makes the tithe offering is affirming that he has "heard and heeded" God's Word and God's commands as declared to them by Moses, God's intermediary.
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Utley - This describes YHWH in transcendent terms (cf. 4:36; 1 Kgs. 8:27–30; Isa. 66:1). He remained in heaven. He sent an angel to lead His people (cf. Ex 23:20, 23; 32:34; 33:2). One must balance God’s holy otherness (transcendence) and His present intimate love (immanence). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) Merrill notes that God's "transcendence did not nullify his interest in and involvement with his covenant nation. He had made solemn promises to their fathers to give them the land of Canaan, one that flowed with milk and honey, not because of fructifying forces attributed to nature gods but because of his providential grace (cf. Deut 11:8–12)." (Ibid) As You swore to our fathers - Once again they base their prayer on the immutable promises Yahweh made to the patriarchs. This reminds me of John's instructions for "efficacious" prayer... This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will (THIS IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE HEAVEN'S GATES!), He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 Jn 5:14-15+). Deuteronomy 26:16 "This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. This day: De 4:1-6 6:1 11:1,8 12:1,32 Mt 28:20 be careful to do: De 6:5,17 8:2 13:3,4 Joh 14:15,21-24 1Jn 5:2,3 OBEDIENCE IS THE KEY TO GOD'S BLESSINGS Moses now interrupts the confession of the Israelites with his exhortation to the people. This day -The Hebrew expression hayyom, "today," or hayyom hazzeh, "this day," occurs over 70 times in Deuteronomy. It stresses the continual immediacy of God's revelation, of His presence, and of the resulting call to respond. His word is not just a word spoken in the past but is always "living and powerful" (Heb. 4:12), providing present assurance and demanding present obedience. This is always the case when God's revelation is heard. Utley explains that "This is a summary conclusion and commitment (i.e., ratification) to the specific laws of chapters 12–26. This covenant affirmation was to be repeated by each new generation, individually." (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) The LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances (see special topic Terms for God's Revelation) - This refers to all the commands Moses has given in the the preceding chapters (especially Dt 12-26). You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul - This instruction needed to be tattooed on their hearts (and our hearts)! It was necessary to be careful because the tendency of the fallen flesh is first to forget and then to forsake the commandments and do your own thing (we all understand this spiritual dynamic all too well!) The phrase speaks of the obedience not being an external, legalistic obedience but an obedience motivated and empowered by an internal desire to be pleasing to Yahweh. Such a heart has been advocated in Deut 10:16+ ("circumcise then your heart..") and promised in Deut 30:6+ ("The LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants...). Be careful is shamar which means to keep, watch, preserve, to guard, to be careful, to watch over, to watch carefully over, to be on one’s guard. It is one of the key words in the book of Deuteronomy - Deut. 2:4; Deut. 4:2; Deut. 4:6; Deut. 4:9; Deut. 4:15; Deut. 4:23; Deut. 4:40; Deut. 5:1; Deut. 5:10; Deut. 5:12; Deut. 5:29; Deut. 6:2; Deut. 6:3; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 6:17; Deut. 6:25; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 7:9; Deut. 7:11; Deut. 7:12; Deut. 8:1; Deut. 8:2; Deut. 8:6; Deut. 8:11; Deut. 10:13; Deut. 11:1; Deut. 11:8; Deut. 11:16; Deut. 11:22; Deut. 11:32; Deut. 12:1; Deut. 12:13; Deut. 12:19; Deut. 12:28; Deut. 12:30; Deut. 12:32; Deut. 13:4; Deut. 13:18; Deut. 15:9; Deut. 16:1; Deut. 16:12; Deut. 17:10; Deut. 19:9; Deut. 23:9; Deut. 23:23; Deut. 24:8; Deut. 26:16; Deut. 26:17; Deut. 26:18; Deut. 27:1; Deut. 28:1; Deut. 28:9; Deut. 28:45; Deut. 28:58; Deut. 29:9; Deut. 30:10; Deut. 30:16; Deut. 31:12; Deut. 33:9 Deuteronomy 26:17 "You have today declared the LORD to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. declared: De 5:2,3 Ex 15:2 20:19 24:7 2Ch 34:31 Isa 12:2 44:5 Zec 13:9 Ac 27:23 Ro 6:13 1Co 6:19,20 2Co 8:5 and: De 10:12,13 13:4,5 30:16 Jos 22:5 1Ki 2:3,4 keep: Ps 147:19,20 listen: De 13:18 15:5 ISRAEL'S AFFIRMATION OF COVENANT LOYALTY You have today declared the LORD to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice - In light of their declaration it follows that they would walk, keep and listen to the LORD their God. Utley on declared - This is a rare Hebrew term (Hiphil stem, used only here in v. 17 and in v. 18. The worshiper declared his obedience and allegiance to YHWH and YHWH declared back to the worshiper his election and call to be His unique people (i.e., covenant). (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) Deuteronomy 26:18 "The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; The LORD has today: De 7:6 Dt 14:2 Dt 28:9 Ex 6:7 Ex 19:5,6 Jer 31:32-34 Eze 36:25-27 Tit 2:14 keep: Ps 119:6 Ro 16:26 Related Passage: BELIEVERS AS GOD'S "TREASURED POSSESSION" Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession (KJV = peculiar), zealous for good deeds. Exodus 19:5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. ISRAEL YAHWEH'S TREASURED POSSESSION The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments - Yes they are Yahweh's treasured possession but note the last phrase that you should keep all His commandments. The clear implication is that this great title would become tarnished (so to speak) if they failed to keep all His commandments! Treasured possession (05459) segullah is related to an Akkadian cognate, sikiltu, means "private possessions." Segullah refers to a treasured possession, that which is valued personal property, that which is owned by someone and in which the owner has special affection or holds special value (Ex 19:5; Dt 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps 135:4; Mal 3:17). Segullah most frequently occurs in reference to something God chooses, here referring to Israel, who God choose from all the nations of the world (Ex 19:5, Dt 7:6, 14:2). Segullah speaks of personal wealth in 1Chr 29:3, Eccl 2:8. NET Note - Segullah is a technical term referring to all the recipients of God's redemptive grace, especially Israel. The LORD says here that he will not forget even one individual in the day of judgment and reward. (Deuteronomy 26) NIDOTTE - סְגֻלָּה (segullâ), nom. personal possession, treasure; crown jewel (#6035). ANE Ugar. sglt, treasure (?) (UT, 1735); Akk. sug/kullu, herd; sikiltu, possession. OT 1. In a profane, secular sense the word refers to one’s personal possessions (1 Chron 29:3), in this case, David’s presentation of his own gold and silver to the temple of his God (cf. 27:25–31; cf. also Eccl 2:8). 2. In the theological usage of the term its most important referent is Israel, whom God makes into his סְגֻלָּה (Exod 19:5), his own unique possession. Although all nations are his, Israel will become the “crown jewel” among all the nations. Her unique quality lies in her position/function/character as his kingdom of priests and a holy nation (set aside unto him; see also Deut 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps 135:4). In Malachi the nom. refers to the community that has a heart to fear the Lord (Mal 3:17). They are the Lord’s and have a glorious future, unlike the complacent and rebellious (3:18–4:1). P-B The LXX translates it as λαὸς περιούσιος in Exod 19:5. NT In Titus 2:14 in the NT the same word is used to refer to God’s new people through Christ. 1 Pet 2:9 quotes Exod 19:5, using περιποίησις, which means the same thing—a special possession, “a people belonging to God.” Septuagint uses periousios which means of one's own possession, one's own and here qualifies people. Periousios describes the property one owned as a rich and distinctive possession, a possession which is of very special status. Titus 2:14 is the only NT use of periousios where Paul figuratively describes God's redeemed people as Christ's costly possession and His distinctive treasure. Believers are those that belong in a special sense to Christ. What an incredible word picture of blood bought, heaven bound sinners who are now the Savior's saints! Marvin
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Utley - “He will set you high above the nations” This is repeated in Dt 28:1, 13, but note the tragedy of Jer. 13:11 and Jer 7:23–26! The NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 1035, also sees this verse as Israel’s obligation to reflect YHWH’s praiseworthiness to the world! Therefore, this is a “Great Commission” verse! Israel had a “missionary” task (e.g., Jer. 3:17; Jer 4:2; Jer 12:14–17; Jer 16:19; Jer 33:9)! (Deuteronomy 26 Commentary) For praise, fame, and honor (Hebrew = “for praise and for a name and for glory.”) - NLT = "Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown." The purpose of Israel being lifted above all the nations of the world. Merrill - The net result of covenant obedience was to be Israel’s exaltation above all nations, an exaltation that would render them “praise, fame and honor” (v. 19). This collocation of words (tĕhillâ, šēm, tipʾeret) forms a cliché to express renown of the highest form (cf. Jer 13:11 and 33:9, where the first two words are reversed). It is true that Israel’s selection as a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation” carried with it a heavy responsibility. Their faithful discharge of that responsibility would, however, result in the greatest privilege and honor. (ibid) And that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken - This is the ultimate goal for Israel, to be a holy people, a people set apart from the profane godless world and unto the true God of this world. They would be His instrument with which He could bless the world and ultimately through whom would come the Messiah, the Savior of the world. So I agree with Utley's comment that this passage is Israel's "GREAT COMMISSION VERSE," the OT version of Mt 28:19-20+.