“Deuteronomy 14–17: Practices of God’s People,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 74–75
“Deuteronomy 14–17,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 74–75
Practices of God’s People
Deuteronomy 14–17 contains reminders of the Lord’s previous commandments. Chapter 14 contains laws concerning food (see also Leviticus 11). Chapter 15 contains commandments regarding the release of debts and slaves every seventh year (see also Leviticus 25). Chapter 16 records the Lord’s reminder to the Israelites about the importance of participating in the major feasts: Passover, Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles. Commandments concerning these feasts were given previously in Exodus 12; 23; Leviticus 23; and Numbers 28. Chapter 17 contains instructions for certain sacrificial practices, for dealing with those who worship false gods, and for judging others. Chapter 17 also gives instructions to future Israelites should they ever decide to have a king. In each of these chapters, all the instructions the Lord gave were to help separate Israelites from worldly practices.