Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 26 addresses the rituals the Israelites were to observe when offering the firstfruits and tithes in the Promised Land. This chapter emphasizes gratitude for God's deliverance and provision, the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and the blessings associated with obedience. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the response of thanksgiving and obedience expected from His people.

Deuteronomy 26:1-3 (NKJV)
1 “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it,
2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.
3 And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’

These verses instruct the Israelites on how to offer the firstfruits of their land once they have entered the Promised Land. The ritual involved taking a portion of the first harvest and presenting it before the priest as an acknowledgment of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to give them the land. This act of bringing the firstfruits demonstrates their gratitude and recognition that the land and its produce are blessings from God.

Deuteronomy 26:4-5 (NKJV)
4 “Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.
5 And you shall answer and say before the Lord your God: ‘My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.

After presenting the firstfruits, the priest would place them before the altar, symbolizing the offering to God. The worshiper would then recite a declaration that recounts Israel’s humble beginnings, tracing back to their ancestor Jacob, described here as a wandering Aramean (Syrian), and their growth into a great nation during their time in Egypt. This recitation emphasizes God’s faithfulness in transforming a small family into a powerful nation.

Deuteronomy 26:6-8 (NKJV)
6 But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us.
7 Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction, and our labor, and our oppression.
8 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.

The worshiper continues by recounting the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt, where they were oppressed and enslaved. They cried out to God, and He responded with deliverance. God’s intervention is described as powerful, involving His mighty hand and outstretched arm, and was accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders. This portion of the declaration reinforces God's power to save and His commitment to His people.

Deuteronomy 26:9-10 (NKJV)
9 He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”;
10 and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.’ Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God.

The declaration concludes by acknowledging God’s faithfulness in bringing the Israelites to the Promised Land, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" — a symbol of abundance and blessing. The worshiper then offers the firstfruits as a tangible expression of gratitude for this blessing. The act of offering and worship demonstrates a heart of thanksgiving and recognition of God’s provision.

Deuteronomy 26:11 (NKJV)
11 So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.

This verse emphasizes that the offering of the firstfruits is not just a ritual but a joyful celebration of God’s goodness. The people were to rejoice in all the blessings God had given them, and this joy was to be shared with the Levites and foreigners living among them. The inclusion of the Levites and strangers reflects God's concern for community and social responsibility.

Deuteronomy 26:12-13 (NKJV)
12 “When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled,
13 then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.

In the third year, known as the year of tithing, the Israelites were to set aside a portion of their increase to provide for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. After distributing the tithe, they would make a declaration to God, affirming their obedience to His commandments. This reflects the importance of caring for the vulnerable in society, demonstrating that obedience to God includes social justice and compassion.

Deuteronomy 26:14 (NKJV)
14 I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me.

The worshiper assures God that the tithe has been handled with reverence, not used inappropriately or during times of mourning. This shows the holiness of the offering and the seriousness with which the Israelites were to approach God’s commandments. The statement reflects a commitment to obey God in all matters, especially in how sacred offerings are treated.

Deuteronomy 26:15 (NKJV)
15 Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

After fulfilling their tithing obligations, the Israelites would ask God to look upon them with favor and bless the land He had given them. The appeal to God’s covenant promises, particularly His promise of a fruitful land, reflects the expectation that obedience to God will lead to His continued blessing and provision for His people.

Deuteronomy 26:16 (NKJV)
16 “This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

Moses reminds the Israelites that God has commanded them to follow His laws wholeheartedly. Their obedience is not to be casual but is to come from the heart and soul, emphasizing a deep, sincere commitment. This highlights the importance of internal devotion alongside outward acts of compliance with God's laws.

Deuteronomy 26:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.
18 Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments,
19 and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.”

These final verses affirm the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The people have declared their loyalty to God, promising to walk in His ways and obey His commandments. In return, God acknowledges Israel as His special people, chosen to be set apart and exalted among the nations. This mutual commitment serves as the foundation for the blessings and responsibilities that come with being God’s holy people.