In this chapter, Moses explains to the people of Israel that they must worship the Lord in a special place that He will choose when they arrive in the Promised Land. He begins the chapter reminding them that they must obey all of the laws and regulations as long as they live in the land God is giving them.
“When you drive out the nations that live there, you must destroy all the places where they worship their gods--high on the mountains, up on the hills, and under every green tree. Break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Burn their Asherah poles and cut down their carved idols. Erase the names of their gods from those places!” (Deuteronomy 12:2-3)
Moses continues, “Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place he himself will choose from among all the tribes for his name to be honored. There you will bring to the Lord your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your special gifts, your offerings to fulfill a vow, your freewill offerings, and your offerings of the firstborn animals of your flocks and herds. There you and your families will feast in the presence of the Lord your God, and you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 12:4-7)
Moses then tells the people that they are doing as they please currently, but that will change when they enter the land God is giving them. He informs them that when God gives them rest and security from all of their enemies, they will be required to bring burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, and special gifts to the place the Lord will choose for his name to be honored. At this particular location, they will all celebrate in the presence of the Lord. Moses then says, “Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere. You may do so only at the place the Lord will choose within one of your tribal territories. There you must offer your burnt offerings and do everything I command you.” (Deuteronomy 12:13-14)
Moses continues, “But you may butcher animals for meat in any town, wherever you want, just as you do now with gazelle and deer. You may eat as many animals as the Lord your God gives you. All of you, whether ceremonially clean or unclean, may eat that meat. The only restriction is that you are not to eat the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water.” (Deuteronomy 12:15-16)
Moses then reiterates that no offerings, tithe of grain, wine, oil, or special gifts can be eaten at home. They must be eaten in the presence of the Lord at the place He will choose.
Moses finishes the chapter placing emphasis on the blood restriction, indicating that the blood is life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. He said, “Do not eat the blood; then all will go well with you and your children, because you will be doing what pleases the Lord. Take your sacred gifts and your offerings given to fulfill a vow to the place the Lord chooses to dwell. You must offer the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. The blood of your other sacrifices must be poured out beside the altar of the Lord your God, but you may eat the meat.” (Deuteronomy 12:25-27)
As I read this part about the blood, it stimulates questions...What’s so important about the blood? Why is it pleasing to the Lord when we are not consuming the blood? Is there a connection between this blood reference and God indicating in Numbers, chapter 28, that burnt offerings was His food?
Again, just thinking out loud in my own journey to understand God’s Word. As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us discern and understand your Word as we strive to be closer to you. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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