Deuteronômio 15
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - This chapter divides nicely into three distinct sections: Dt 15:1–11 deal with the expansion of the Sabbath year’s rest of Exod. 23:10–13 and Lev. 25:1–7 to the debtors and local poor. 2 Chronicles 36:21 says that the exile was a result of the Jews’ failure to keep this Law. Dt 15:12–18 deal with the kinsman slave, the Hebrew (man or woman) who had to work for someone to pay off debts. Dt 15:19–23 deal with the first born of the flocks, or the offering of the first born animals. John Currid - The foundational unit of the Hebrew calendar is the observance of the weekly Sabbath (5:12–15). One application of that principle from the Decalogue is the institution of the sabbatical year. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate that Israel is fully dependent on God for her existence. A secondary purpose is to care for the disadvantaged in Israel. It is what Kaufman calls ‘a welfare system for the poor’. (EPSC-Dt) HCSB - The principle of the Sabbath—that all creation should rest and be rejuvenated on the seventh day—was extended to the seventh year as well
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - This care for the non-Israelite clearly showed: (1) the character of YHWH, (2) the inclusion possible and (3) the past experience of Israel in Egypt Release (08058)(shamat) means "to release," "to let rest," "to drop." Cognates are attested in Middle Hebrew, Jewish Aramaic, Akkadian and Arabic. As the Israelites brought back the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem, they placed it upon a cart drawn by oxen. This procedure was not appropriate according to the Law, since it was supposed to be carried on poles by Levites (Num. 4). As the entire entourage processed in celebration, Uzzah, one of Abinadab's sons, put his hand on the Ark because the oxen stumbled (2 Sam. 6:6). The proper translation for "stumbled" is the oxen "kicked," which means they "were restive." Hence, the oxen became agitated or restive and moved recklessly or irregularly. Shāmat also means "to cast," "to throw down," such as in the case of Jezebel, wicked wife of Ahab, who was thrown down from an upper story of her palace by command of Jehu (2 Ki. 9:33). The inhabitants of Judah, just before they were exiled to Babylon, clung tightly to their wealth for security and identity, rather than clinging to the Lord. Jeremiah's prophecy informed them that God, in punishment for their sins, was going to make all their wealth a spoil for their enemies: "You shall loosen your hand from your heritage which I gave you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land which you do not know" (Jer. 17:4). The loosening of the hands pictures an object falling from a tight grip which has been released. Using a similar figure of speech, the Lord commanded Moses and the Israelites to work their land for six years and then "drop" or "let rest" the land on the seventh year (Exo. 23:11). The Israelites were to leave it unattended, untilled, fallow. Likewise, the figures "open your hand to" and "shut your hand against" use the verb shāmat. Closing the hand indicates keeping the debt of someone. Opening the hand is remission of debt or alms for someone in need or giving a loan to someone. In Deuteronomy, the Lord commands that people must "open the hand" to help the poorer segment of the population, though the year of debt release (every seven years) is soon to occur. The person making the loan would not receive much from the person who received the loan since there would be only a few months left until release, but God commanded the people to extend loans anyway and He would bless them (cf. Deut. 15:1-11). The Niphal form means "to be cast down," "to be precipitated," "to be thrown down," as a rock cast down and shattered on the ground, which is the fate of the wicked (Ps. 141:6). The Hiphil form means "to release," "to remit," used again to describe the actions required of Israelites at the time of the seven years' rest, when debts were to be remitted of fellow Israelites: "Of a foreigner you may exact [the loan] again: but that which is yours with your brother your hand shall release" (Deut. 15:3). (Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource) Shamat - let it rest(1), let go(1), release(2), threw her down(1), throw her down(1), thrown down(1), upset(2). Exod. 23:11; Deut. 15:2; Deut. 15:3; 2 Sam. 6:6; 2 Ki. 9:33; 1 Chr. 13:9; Ps. 141:6; Jer. 17: Deuteronomy 15:4 "However, there will be no poor among you, since the LORD will surely bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, bless: De 14:29 28:1-8,11 Pr 11:24,25 14:21 28:27 Isa 58:10,11 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE IDEAL NO POOR However, there will be no poor among you, since the LORD will surely bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess - The ideal was that there would be no poor, but Jesus later sais "you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.(Matt. 26:11)
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - This chapter is characterized by the use of double VERBS: 1. Some are INFINITIVE ABSOLUTES and IMPERFECT VERBS of the same root (which is a grammatical form for intensifying the meaning): a. “surely bless,” v. 4, Piel b. “listen obediently,” v. 5, Qal c. “freely open,” v. 8, Qal d. “generously lend,” v. 8, e. “generously give,” v. 10, f. “freely open,” v. 11, g. “furnish liberally,” v. 14, 2. Some are the same VERB, used twice: a. “lend … not borrow,” v. 6, a Hiphil PERFECT and a Qal IMPERFECT b. “rule … not rule,” v. 6, a Qal PERFECT and a Qal IMPERFECT c. “set free … free … not send,” vv. 12, 13, all three Piel IMPERFECTS d. “eat … not eat,”, vv. 22, 23, both Qal IMPERFECTS Deuteronomy 15:5 if only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. De 4:9 11:13-15 28:1-15 Lev 26:3-14 Jos 1:7 Ps 19:11 Isa 1:19,20 Php 1:27 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WARNING ABOUT OBEYING COMMANDS if only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today - Listen obediently is a double verb shama for emphasis (“if listening you listen to the voice of.” where "listen to the voice" is an idiom for obey). This is the condition and the blessing mentioned in the next verse is based on their obedience. Deuteronomy 15:6 "For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. you will lend to many nations: De 28:12,44 Ps 37:21,26 112:5 Pr 22:7 Lu 6:35 you will rule over many nations: De 28:13 1Ki 4:21,24 2Ch 9:26 Ezr 4:20 Ne 9:27 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 28:12 “The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:43-44 (CURSES FOR DISOBEDIENCE) “The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower. 44 “He shall lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you will be the tail. Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, OBEDIENT ISRAEL'S BLESSING: LENDER AND RULER For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you - Obedience brings blessing to the nation of Israel who would be lenders and rulers over other nations. Israel would be richly blessed if she obeyed, but the converse would occur if they did not The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower. 44“He shall lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you will be the tail. Dt 28:43–44 Bless (01288) barak is a verb which literally can mean to kneel (to go to one's knees - Camel in Ge 24:11, Solomon in 2Chr 6:13) as contrasted with standing position or even a bowing at the waist). And so barak can refer to an act of adoration sometimes on bended knee. To give divine blessings (Ge 1:22, 9:1-7) To esteem greatly or adore God for His blessings (Ge 24:48, Ps 103:1) To invoke blessings upon another (Ge 24:60, 27:4, 27) Inherent in the idea of blessing is the invocation of special favor on a person or object that is held in high esteem. The object of blessing in the Old Testament may be either divine or human, or that which belongs to either God or human beings. Barak in Deut - Deut. 1:11; Deut. 2:7; Deut. 7:13; Deut. 7:14; Deut. 8:10; Deut. 10:8; Deut. 12:7; Deut. 14:24; Deut. 14:29; Deut. 15:4; Deut. 15:6; Deut. 15:10; Deut. 15:14; Deut. 15:18; Deut. 16:10; Deut. 16:15; Deut. 21:5; Deut. 23:20; Deut. 24:13; Deut. 24:19; Deut. 26:15; Deut. 27:12; Deut. 28:3; Deut. 28:4; Deut. 28:5; Deut. 28:6; Deut. 28:8; Deut. 28:12; Deut. 29:19; Deut. 30:16; Deut. 33:1; Deut. 33:11; Deut. 33:13; Deut. 33:20; Deut. 33:24; Did Israel obey? No, they did not keep the Sabbatical Year. So God punished Israel and they had to pay back 70 years which means they did not keep the Sabbatical Year for 490 years, not keeping one Sabbath Year every 7 years. Furthermore, all the officials of the priests and the people were very unfaithful following all the abominations of the nations; and they defiled the house of the LORD which He had sanctified in Jerusalem. 15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; 16 but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy. 17 Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand. 18 All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon. 19 Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. 20 Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete. (2 Chr 36:14-21) Deuteronomy 15:7 "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; there be: Lest the preceding law might render the Israelites cautious in lending to the poor, Moses here warns them against being led by so mean a principle; but to lend liberally, and God would reward them. thou shalt: De 15:9 Pr 21:13 Mt 18:30 Jas 2:15,16 1Jn 3:16,17 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A HARD HEART CLOSES ONE'S HAND! Deere points out that now "Moses left the realm of law for a moment to appeal to his fellow Israelites’ hearts. The law of debt cancellation (vv. 1–6) was intended to instill a spirit of generosity within the Israelites and thus a freedom from the love of money and things." (Ibid) If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother - NIV “hardhearted or tightfisted” Brothers refers to Hebrew kin. The failure to help the poor, the "have not's" around us is a reflection of heart failure of the "have's." In short it reflects a hard heart. How is your heart to the less privileged around you - soft or hard? Deere - Being hardened or tightfisted meant he was not trusting the LORD to bless … all his work. Solomon may have been meditating on these words of Moses when he wrote, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” (Prov. 11:24). (Ibid) Utley on one of your brothers - The Mosaic Law shows YHWH’s special concern about and mercy to: other poor covenant brothers/sisters, widows, orphans, alien residents and aliens. It is this compassion across socioeconomic lines that makes the Israeli legal code unique. The other ancient law codes favored the elite, the wealthy, and the royal. Israel favored the weak, socially and economically deprived, legally vulnerable, and disenfranchised!
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - The poor man’s prayer does not make it a sin (i.e., illegal), but it highlights to YHWH the sin in the heart of the selfish, conspiring man (cf. Dt 24:18; Ex. 22:23). YHWH’s blessings are conditional on appropriate covenant motives and actions. His people are to model His character! Deuteronomy 15:10 "You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. heart: Mt 25:40 Ac 20:35 Ro 12:8 2Co 9:5-7 1Ti 6:18-19 1Pe 4:11 because: De 15:4 Dt 14:19,29 Dt 24:19 Ps 41:1,2 Pr 11:24,25 Pr 22:9 Isa 32:8 58:10 2Co 9:8-11 Php 4:18,19 Heb 13:16 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 25:40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Acts 20:35+ “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness. 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Deuteronomy 14:19 “And all the teeming life with wings are unclean to you; they shall not be eaten. Deuteronomy 14:29 “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. Deuteronomy 24:19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. A GENEROUS HEART NOT A GRIEVING HEART! You shall generously give (Hebrew verb used twice for emphasis) to him (your Israelite brother), and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him - A generous heart gives with cheerfulness and not grudgingly nor under compulsion. It is the overflow of a heart filled with the recognition that Giver of all good things has given exceeding, abundantly beyond all we could ever ask or think. Generous giving is a beautiful reflection of the Father's heart and gives others a proper opinion of Him (cf Mt 5:16+). This recalls Paul's exhortation to believers to begin charitable giving with our brethren in Christ and then to extend outward from them... So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10+) because - An encouraging, motivating term of explanation. For this thing the LORD your God will bless (barak) you in all your work and in all your undertakings - Watch your motive here! Don't give with the goal to get. Give with the goal to do good and God in turn will do good to you. It is all about the heart and the motives of the heart. This reminds me of the words of Paul Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes Who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. (1 Cor 4:5+). Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.' the poor: Pr 22:2 Mt 26:11 Mk 14:7 Joh 12:8 You shall De 15:8 Mt 5:42 Lu 12:33 Ac 2:45 4:32-35 11:28-30 2Co 8:2-9 1Jn 3:16-18 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 26:11 “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. Mark 14:7 “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. POVERTY IS A CONTINUING REALITY For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open (Hebrew verb patah = to loosen - used twice for emphasis) your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.' - This was a foreshadowing of Israel's failure to fully obey this command. Had Israel been faithful to follow this law of debt remission there were in fact poor in Israel. As indicated by the words of Jesus (see Related Passages above) this did not prove to be the case. TSK - Although Moses, by the statutes relative to the division of the land, and inheritance, and the inalienable nature of it, had studied to prevent any Israelite from being born poor, yet he exhorts them to the exercise of the tenderest compassion and most benevolent actions; and not to refuse assistance to the decayed Israelite, though the sabbatical year drew nigh. Deuteronomy 15:12 "If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. De 15:1 Ex 21:2-6 Lev 25:39-41 Jer 34:14 Joh 8:35-36 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 21:2-6+ “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. 3 “If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 “If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. 5 “But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl (ANALOGOUS TO BLOOD SPILLED WHEN CUTTING A COVENANT!); and he shall serve him permanently. Jeremiah 34:14 “At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me. (THEY BROKE THE COVENANT THEY HAD CUT WITH YAHWEH! - FOR CONTEXT READ Jer 34:8-20, esp Jer 34:18 = the ceremony ratifying the covenant) FREEDOM ON THE SABBATICAL YEAR If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman (shows legal equality), is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free - Sold to you refers to indentured servitude (Lev. 25:39, 47, 48, 50). This command is simply a practical extension of Deuteronomy 15:1 which instructs Israelites “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts." The seventh year here most probably did not correspond to the year of debt cancellation described in Dt 15:1–6, but simply the seventh year of that person’s employment as their servant. Utley on kinsman - This is literally “brother” (BDB 26), but used in the national sense of “covenant partner” or “kinsman” (cf. Lev. 19:17; 25:25, 35, 36, 39, 47; Deut. 15:12; 17:15). It emphasized a national unity vs. a tribal or family distinctiveness. This terminology and theology is similar to Gal. 6:10. MAN OF WOMAN - This shows legal equality (cf. v. 17, also note Gen. 1:26–27). Earlier law codes separated them (i.e., men—Exod. 21:2–6; women—Exod. 21:7–11). This was a radical departure from the Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian legal document that predates Moses, and the cultural systems of the nations of Canaan. God’s people were different!
Deuteronômio 15
Utley- the LORD your God redeemed you” This is used several times in Deuteronomy, always referring to YHWH’s gracious act of delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery (cf. Dt 7:8; 9:26; 13:5; 15:15; 21:8; 24:18). See Special Topic at 7:8. The OT is as much a witness to the initiating love and mercy of God as is the NT! Humans did not seek God, He sought and redeemed them! His initial acts and unchanging character are our great hope! The actions of the Messiah for all are foreshadowed in the actions of YHWH for Israel! Redeemed (06299) padah means to redeem, ransom, buy and so to cause the freedom or release of a person from bondage or ownership, often implying a delivering or rescue of a person in distress. Padah is not used in Ruth. The basic meaning of the Hebrew root is to achieve the transfer of ownership from one to another through payment of a price or an equivalent substitute. Padah is used to depict God's act of redeeming; He redeemed His people with a mighty hand from Pharaoh and the slavery they were under in Egypt (Dt. 7:8; Mic. 6:4). Egypt was literally the house of slavery and became the symbol of slavery and oppression from which Israel was delivered (Dt. 9:26; 24:18). Uses in Deut - Deut. 7:8; Deut. 9:26; Deut. 13:5; Deut. 15:15; Deut. 21:8; Deut. 24:18 See Utley's topic Ransom/Redeem Therefore - Term of conclusion, based upon what Yahweh has accomplished for you in the past THOUGHT - Memory of past divine amazing grace should serve as an active motivator for ALL of us to show grace to others, however that grace needs to be manifest in our interpersonal relationships - financially, spiritually (e.g., forgiveness), our speech (Eph 4:29+), etc. I command you this today - God's commands always come with His enablements and in this case with memory motivation!
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - This verse is parallel to Exodus 21:5+. It illustrates a voluntary submissive relationship which reflects the faith/love/obedient covenant relationship between YHWH and Israel. The goal of the covenant is a loving, blessed life on earth followed by a continuation of an even more intimate relationship in the spiritual realm. The blessings are always a by-product of the relationship, never the goal! Keil - Keil and Delitzsch remark, ‘Manumission was only an act of love when the person to be set free had some hope of success and of getting a living for himself; and where there was no such prospect, compelling him to accept of freedom might be equivalent to thrusting him away.’ Currid - In our present text, the motivation is the slave’s love for his master’s family and the fact that he is well treated by them. An additional motivation is given in Exodus 21:5–6, in which the slave does not want to depart without his family. (Ibid)
Deuteronômio 15
Utley - This goes back to Exod. 13:2, which is the context of the plague of the death angel killing the firstborn of mankind and beast in Egypt and Goshen whose houses were not marked with blood. It was a symbolic way of showing God’s ownership of everything (cf. Exod. 13:2; Lev. 2:14–16). THOUGHT - The NT parallel is described by Paul in Ro 12:1+ "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Wholly devoted (like the first born animals) to the Holy God, for His Holy use. Consecrate (Sanctify) (06942) qadash means to set apart for a specific use. The root sense of this word group describes an act of setting something apart from profane or ordinary use. Removed from common use. To be holy. To show one's self to be holy. To consecrate or dedicate. To set apart a person or thing from all common or secular purposes to some religious use. Everything consecrated to God was separated from all profane use. Qadash signifies an act or a state in which people or things are set aside for use in the worship of God, i.e., they are consecrated or made sacred for that purpose. They must be withheld from ordinary (secular) use and treated with special care as something which belongs to God (Ex 29:21). Otherwise, defilement makes the sanctified object unusable (cf. Dt 22:9; Eze 44:19; 46:20). Uses in Deuteronomy - Deut 5:12; 15:19; 22:9; 32:51; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock (and goats in Nu 18:17) - Firstborn animals are to convey no benefit to their owners, but are to be solely for God. Don't try to use the firstborn livestock for any gain in any way, but give them wholly to the LORD. John Currid - Throughout the Old Testament the position of the firstborn in a family is special. The firstborn is pre-eminent and privileged. He has the right of the firstborn, which includes a double portion of the inheritance (Dt 21:17) and leadership of the family when the father dies. He is also set apart to Yahweh in a special way (Exod. 13:2; Num. 3:13); the firstborn belong to him. In the New Testament, believers are called the ‘firstborn’ of God. The writer to the Hebrews says, ‘But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven …’ (Heb. 12:22–23). Believers have been set apart to the position of firstborn because of the work of Jesus Christ, the firstborn Son of God. When God looks at Christians he sees Christ and the work of Christ on our behalf. He sees us as firstborn children who will receive the inheritance because of Jesus’ work for us. We are special, because Jesus is special! Deuteronomy 15:20 You and your household shall eat it every year before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses. De 12:5-7,17 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 12:5-7+ “But you shall seek the LORD at the place which the LORD your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come. 6 “There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the contribution of your hand, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. 7 “There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you. ANNUAL MEAL IN GOD'S PLACE AND PRESENCE You and your household shall eat it every year before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses - The text does not say when but presumably this would have been during one of the three annual feasts that took place at the Tabernacle or later at the Temple. Chooses reflects God's omniscient sovereignty to do as He pleases and knows best for their (our) good and His glory. Choose is a keyword in Deuteronomy. And further, the place the LORD choses is a key thought in Deuteronomy occurring 22 times! (Dt 12:5, Dt 12:11, Dt 12:14, Dt 12:18, Dt 12:21, Dt 12:26, Dt 14:23,Dt 14:24, Dt 14:25, Dt 15:20, Dt 16:2, Dt 16:6, Dt 16:7, Dt 16:11, Dt 16:15, Dt 16:16, Dt 17:8,Dt 17:10, Dt 18:6, Dt 23:16, Dt 26:2, Dt 31:11) Chooses (0977) bahar/bachar in most contexts means to choose or to select, to take a keen look at, to prove, to . It denotes a choice, which is based on a thorough examination of the situation and not an arbitrary whim. Lot choose Sodom (Ge 13:11). Moses chose able men (Ex 18:25). "Theologically, bāchar asserts the sovereignty of God in all of life. It affirms divine omnipotence and capacity for choice and in so doing declares that purpose and personality, expressing itself in agape love, lie at the heart of reality." (Gilbrant) TWOT adds that bahar/bachar is often "used to express that choosing which has ultimate and eternal significance." "Bāḥar is used 30 times in Deuteronomy, all but twice referring to God's "choice" of Israel or something in Israel's life." (Vine) Bahar in Deuteronomy - Deut. 4:37; Deut. 7:6; Deut. 7:7; Deut. 10:15; Deut. 12:5; Deut. 12:11; Deut. 12:14; Deut. 12:18; Deut. 12:21; Deut. 12:26; Deut. 14:2; Deut. 14:23; Deut. 14:24; Deut. 14:25; Deut. 15:20; Deut. 16:2; Deut. 16:6; Deut. 16:7; Deut. 16:11; Deut. 16:15; Deut. 16:16; Deut. 17:8; Deut. 17:10; Deut. 17:15; Deut. 18:5; Deut. 18:6; Deut. 21:5; Deut. 23:16; Deut. 26:2; Deut. 30:19; Deut. 31:11; Deuteronomy 15:21 "But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. De 17:1 Lev 22:20,24 Mal 1:7,8 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BLEMISH-FREE SACRIFICES TO JEHOVAH But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God - Only bring blemish-free sacrifices to Yahweh. Deuteronomy 15:22 "You shall eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as a gazelle or a deer. the unclean: De 12:15,21,22 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DON'T WASTE THE MEAT You shall eat it within your gates (in your villages); the (ritually) unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as a gazelle or a deer - In other words the blemished animal was to be treated like wild game. Not suitable for sacrifice to Yahweh, but suitable for consumption by human beings. NET NOTE - That is, the people, whether ritually purified or not, may eat such defective animals. Deuteronomy 15:23 "Only you shall not eat its blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water. De 12:16,23-24 Lev 7:26 1Sa 14:32 Eze 33:25 Deuteronomy 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 12:16; 23-24 “Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.... 23 “Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh. 24 “You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the ground like water. NO BLOOD WITH YOUR MEAT Only you shall not eat its blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water - The life is in the blood (Lev 17:11) and the Jews were never to eat it with the blood. Utley - “Only you shall not eat its blood” Blood was the symbol of life and life belongs to God (cf. Gen. 9:4–6; Lev. 1:17; 7:26–27; 17:10–16; 19:26; Deut. 12:16, 23–25; 1 Sam. 14:32–34). The symbols in the preceding verses show God’s ownership of all creation, especially that which is alive. Related Resources: What does it mean that the blood is the life (Deuteronomy 12:23)? | GotQuestions.org Why did God prohibit eating meat with blood in it (Genesis 9:4)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about eating/drinking blood? | GotQuestions.org