Deuteronomy 12

CHAPTER 12

The One Place of Worship (12:1–32)

1 The decrees and laws that Moses is going to proclaim in the next fifteen chapters are not simply repetitions of the laws given in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Moses’ purpose in reviewing the earlier laws was to apply them to the new situation the Israelites were about to experience—that is, a settled existence in their own land. Up to that point, they had been wandering in the desert with no fixed settlement. Now that was about to change, and Moses needed to emphasize and amplify certain aspects of the law to take into account their new circumstances.

2–3 See Exodus 23:23–24,31–33; 34:10–16; Deuteronomy 7:1–5 and comments.

4–7 In these verses we see the central concern of this whole chapter: the Israelites were not to worship their God in a variety of places, which was how the Canaanites worshiped their gods (verse 4); rather, the Israelites were to set up the tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) in one place which God would choose, and in that place only the various offerings and sacrifices were to be presented. That place would be where God chose to put his Name³⁷ (verse 5)—that is, the place where He Himself would dwell, where His presence would be manifested in a special way. In that place—in God’s presence—the Israelites and their families were to celebrate the festivals, eat the meat of the sacrificed animals, and rejoice in the blessings God had showered upon them³⁸ (verse 7).

8–14 Here Moses says again that when the Israelites settle in the land, their worship must become established in one place (verses 11,13–14), and not carried out as everyone . . . sees fit (verse 8). During Israel’s early history, that “place” would change several times, but eventually it would be established in Jerusalem in the new temple built by Solomon (1 Kings 8:1–21).

In verses 9 and 10, Moses describes Canaan as a resting place where God will give the Israelites rest from all their enemies. Although the “rest” mentioned here means primarily physical rest, it has a deeper spiritual meaning as well. In Psalm 95:11, the Lord says concerning the rebellious Israelites who died in the desert: “They shall never enter my rest.” But, in fact, even those of the next generation who did enter the land never obtained complete rest from war and conflict. Their continuing sin and disobedience kept them from enjoying God’s true “rest.” But God finally did provide rest for His people—a spiritual rest available through faith in Jesus Christ. Now we who have believed enter that rest (Hebrews 4:3).

It is important to note here the Old Testament’s emphasis on “place.” Place was extremely important to the Israelites: it signified their inheritance in the land, their identity as a nation and, above all, their experience of God’s presence. But in the New Testament, “place” is no longer important; instead, a Person is important. In the Old Testament, the focus was on tabernacles and altars; in the New Testament, the focus is on spiritual fellowship with God, the Father. Jesus said: “Believe me . . . a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem . . . God is spirit,and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21,24).

In the Old Testament, the emphasis was on one place, one tabernacle, one high priest, one way to worship God. In the New Testament, the emphasis is on one Person, one Priest, and one Way to the Father. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

15 Once the Israelites had settled throughout Canaan, many of them would end up being located far away from the tabernacle. During the forty years in the desert, the Israelites had slaughtered all animals suitable for sacrifice right at the tabernacle. But after they entered the land, if they wanted to eat meat they would be allowed to slaughter animals from their flocks and herds right near their own homes—much as they might kill a wild animal for food. But still the Israelites would have to come to the tabernacle three times a year to celebrate the three main festivals and to offer the sacrifices required for each festival (Exodus 23:14–17).

16 Though the Israelites would be allowed to slaughter animals at home, they were never to eat any animal’s blood (see Leviticus 17:1–16 and comment).

17–18 See verses 4–7 and comment.

19 Moses here reminds the Israelites that they would be responsible for providing for the needs of the Levites, since the Levites would have no allotment of land of their own (see Numbers 18:21–24).

20–22 See verse 15 and comment.

23–25 See Leviticus 17:1–16 and comment.

26 All things that were consecrated³⁹ belonged to the Lord; they were holy—set apart—for Him. Things that one vowed to give to the Lord were also consecrated or devoted to Him (see Leviticus 27:1 and comment). All such things were to be brought to the place chosen by the Lord, where the tabernacle (and later the temple) would be located.

27–28 See Leviticus 1:1–17 and comment.

29–31 Once again Moses warns the Israelites not to be ensnared by the gods of the Canaanites. Not only were the gods themselves false and unreal, but the worship of them included many acts that were detestable to the Lord—such as sacrificing children to the “god” Molech (see Leviticus 20:1–5; Numbers 25:1–3; Deuteronomy 4:25–27; 11:16–17 and comments).

32 See Deuteronomy 4:1–2 and comment.