1 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;
2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.
3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.
4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.
5 And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labor, and our oppression:
8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.
10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:
11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
16 This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.
Chapter 26 of the Book of Deuteronomy in the KJV Holy Bible is a continuation of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the promised land. In this chapter, Moses instructs the Israelites on how to offer their firstfruits to the Lord and reminds them of their covenant with God. The main themes of this chapter include obedience to God, gratitude, and the importance of remembering God's faithfulness. This chapter serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their identity as God's chosen people and their responsibility to honor and obey Him.
The chapter begins with Moses instructing the Israelites on how to offer their firstfruits to the Lord. Firstfruits were a portion of the first harvest of the land that was to be dedicated to God as an offering of thanksgiving. This was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge that their blessings and abundance came from God and to show their gratitude for His provision.
Moses reminds the Israelites that when they bring their firstfruits to the priest, they must declare that they have entered the land that God promised to their ancestors. This declaration serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and fulfillment of His promise to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and into a land flowing with milk and honey.
The Israelites were also instructed to set aside a portion of their firstfruits for the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows. This act of generosity and kindness was a way for the Israelites to show their obedience to God and to care for the vulnerable members of their community.
Meaning: The offering of firstfruits serves as a symbol of gratitude and obedience to God. It is a reminder that all blessings come from Him and that we should never forget His faithfulness and provision in our lives. This act of offering also reflects the importance of generosity and caring for others, especially the vulnerable members of our community.
In this section, Moses reminds the Israelites of their covenant with God. He instructs them to take an oath to follow God's commandments and to obey His laws and statutes. The Israelites were to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, and their obedience to His laws was crucial in maintaining this covenant relationship.
Moses also warns the Israelites of the consequences of breaking the covenant. He reminds them of the plagues and miracles that God performed in Egypt and the wilderness, and how He had brought them to the promised land. He emphasizes that obedience to God's laws would result in blessings, while disobedience would lead to curses and destruction.
Meaning: The covenant with God is a sacred agreement between God and His people. It requires obedience and faithfulness, and in return, God promises to bless and protect His people. This covenant relationship is a reminder of God's love and faithfulness towards His people, and the consequences of breaking it serve as a warning to stay faithful and obedient to God's commandments.
In these verses, Moses reminds the Israelites that they are a special people, chosen by God to be His treasured possession. He reminds them that God has set them high above all nations and made them a people holy to Himself. This was not because of their righteousness or their own merits, but because of God's love and faithfulness towards them.
Moses also warns the Israelites not to forget their identity as God's chosen people. He cautions them against pride and disobedience, which could lead to their downfall. He reminds them that their identity as God's people is a privilege and a responsibility that they must not take lightly.
Meaning: The Israelites' identity as God's chosen people is a reminder that they have a special relationship with God. This identity is not based on their own merits, but on God's love and faithfulness towards them. Similarly, as Christians, we are also God's chosen people, and we have a responsibility to honor and obey Him and to never forget our identity as His treasured possession.
In the final section of the chapter, Moses reiterates the importance of obedience to God's commandments. He reminds the Israelites that they have declared that they will follow God's laws and that they are His people. Therefore, they must follow through with their promises and obey God's commandments with all their heart and soul.
Moses ends his address by exhorting the Israelites to be obedient to God's laws so that they may live and prosper in the land that He has given them. He reminds them that their obedience will not only bring blessings to themselves, but it will also be a testimony to the nations around them of God's power and faithfulness.
Meaning: Obedience to God's commandments is not a burden, but a way of life for His people. It is a way to show our love and gratitude towards Him and to be a testimony of His goodness and faithfulness to those around us. Obedience also leads to blessings and a prosperous life in God's kingdom.
Chapter 26 of the Book of Deuteronomy serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their identity as God's chosen people and their responsibility to honor and obey Him. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude, obedience, and remembering God's faithfulness. This chapter also serves as a reminder to us as Christians of our identity as God's chosen people and the importance of living a life of obedience and gratitude towards Him. It is a call to remember God's faithfulness and to never forget our covenant relationship with Him.
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