Deuteronomy 12:1-32
Q.1. What were the terms of conquest of the Promised Land? Where were the offerings and sacrifices of Israel to be brought and eaten? How was provision made for the Levites? – (Dt.12:1-14)
Israel was to dispossess the nations in the Promised Land, and to utterly destroy their evil gods. Though Moses did not know about God’s choice of Jerusalem for the bringing of sacrifices and offerings, he clearly warned the tribes to bring them to God’s appointed place – 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 (Dt.12:5 c.f. Dt.12:5-7; 11). God had set the Levites aside to represent the tribes before Him. This would require their undivided and full-time attention. Consequently, they were not given an inheritance in the land. They were to be provided for from the tithes and offerings from the other tribes of Israel – Be careful that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land (Dt.12:19 c.f. Dt.12:12).
Q.2. What restrictions were placed on the eating of animals? Why? Where were animals to be killed and eaten? What offerings could Israel eat? – (Dt.12:15-27)
To protect Israel from the spread of disease, God stipulated which animals were clean for eating, and which were not. Israel could eat the meat from these designated animals anywhere, including all who were clean or ceremonially unclean. However, they were commanded – 17 You are not allowed to eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock, or any of your votive offerings which you vow, or your freewill offerings, or the contribution of your hand. 18 But you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all your undertakings (Dt.12:17-18). Consistent with God’s instruction to Noah (Gen.9:4-6), the lifeblood of the creatures is to be kept precious and poured out to Him, since it would be by the blood of Christ that sinners would be atoned. – 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. 25 You shall not eat it, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you, for you will be doing what is right in the sight of the Lord (Dt.12:23-25 c.f. 16).
Q.3. Why were the nations in the Promised Land eliminated? How was Israel to protect itself against their evil practices? How important was obedience to God’s commands? – (Dt.12:28-32)
Whether we can always explain the reason, God gave His laws for us to obey, in order to preserve the ones whom He made in His own image – “Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God (Dt.12:28). Consistent with the final warning given to the church through John – Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it (Dt.12:32 c.f. Rev.22:18-19). God hates sin, and the effects of sin on the people whom He has made in His own likeness. The nations to be eliminated from the Promised Land had stooped to – … every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods (Dt.12:31).