As Moses stands with Israel on the verge of entering the Promised Land, it is clear from his speeches in Deuteronomy that the prior Mosaic legislation has already been presented to them and they are expected to be familiar with it. For example, as we read through Deuteronomy 16, which should take you only about two minutes to read, we see that more in-depth descriptions of these festivals exist (in Exodus and Leviticus). Moses is here simply reviewing what they need to know before settling in a new land.
The Passover was to be celebrated (16:1-8). The Feast of Weeks was another festival (16:9-12). The Feast of Booths (16:13-15) was the third major celebration and all three were to draw Jewish men to Jerusalem (16:16), just as the Lord’s Day is to draw all local Christians together to celebrate Christ (1 Cor. 11:20). Also, as Christians are to give as they have prospered (1 Cor. 16:2), so Israelites were to give as he was able (Deut. 16:17).
To help maintain peace and unity in the nation, judges were appointed and that judgment was to be made impartially, based on the law of God (16:18-20). As Moses does so many times in Deuteronomy, in 16:21-22 he warns Israel about avoiding idolatry and all forms of it.
Chapter 17 continues the theme of justice but it begins by warning Israel not to offer to God as sacrifices animals that were already worthless (17:1). Trash offered to God is insulting and exhibits a complete lack of faith. In 17:2-7, the legislation prescribed that one who was guilty of idolatry, based on a thorough investigation, was to be put to death, with the eyewitnesses being the first to throw the stones. Eleven times in the book, the phrase is found: “so you shall purge the evil from your midst.” Here is the OT background to the church of Christ withdrawing from the disorderly.
Get medical treatment cheapest cialis to treat pelvic fracture. Every one of our supplements are made under viagra sales france the most stringent and rigorous production conditions, using the best ED drug. At the same time, canada in levitra the elderly should eat plant foods. These causes include Heart Disease, Vascular Disease, High online levitra Blood pressure, low testosterone, etc. If a misunderstanding cannot be resolved at the lower level, it could be appealed to a higher level of judges (17:8-13) and the Israelites were expected to obey and accept the verdict of the court. In 17:14-20, God foresees the day when Israel will have a king. This shows us that Israel’s request for a king in 1 Samuel 8 did not surprise God. But, He had a different character and a different timeframe in mind. Kings were not to trust their military, their economy, or their many wives. Rather, they were to read and meditate on the law of Moses throughout their reigns and their lives.
Finally, in chapter 18, God commanded Israel to take care of the Levites who were providing for the worship in the temple (18:1-8). Israel was not to seek guidance from any other source except the God of heaven (18:-14). In 18:15-22, Moses predicts God will raise up a Prophet whom Israel was to hear and obey, which Peter tells us is Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-23). Additionally, Israel was to be skeptical of other prophets. Too many then, as today, speak “presumptuously.” Moses defines speaking “presumptuously” in verse 20: “which I have not commanded him to speak.”
Steps in the plan of salvation, acts of worship, official roles in the church, any of which have no “command” from Jesus Christ are presumptuous and fall under the same condemnation under the covenant of Christ as that did under the law of Moses.
God has not changed nor have humans changed. Paul Holland
