Bible Study                                     Notes 1999

23 March 1999

Theme:  The Doctrine of the Scriptures

Text:  Deuteronomy 12-26

GLIMPSES OF THE APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD

TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LIFE

1.      WORSHIP   (Deut 12)

a)      Anticipation of Temple Worship      Deut 12:5,11,14,18,26

b)      Restrictions and Prohibitions      Deut 12:1-8,13,32

c)   The spirit of worship - JOY     Deut 12:7,8

d)   “Do not forsake the Levite” Deut 12:19

2.   FALSE TEACHERS/PROPHETS   (Deut 13)

a)   The death penalty Deut 13:5,9

b)   Rationale for such a severe stance      Deut  13:4,11

3.      MOURNING FOR THE DEAD   (Deut 14:1-2)

a)   Not to be influenced by traditions of other religions

b)   To remember that they are the “chosen people”

4.   CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS   (Deut 14:3-21)

a)   For reasons of safety (health)

b)   A distinct national, cultural lifestyle

5.      TITHING   (Deut 14:22-29)

a)   Tithing principle taught

      i)    To practise “the fear of the Lord”               Deut 14:23

      ii)   As a reminder of the Lord’s blessings           Deut 14:24

      iii)   As a practical way of ministering             Deut 14:29

            to the “stranger, the fatherless, and the widow”

      iv)  In faith that the Lord would continue to bless     Deut 14:29

b)   Again, a reminder “You shall not forsake the Levite”

                                     Deut 14:27,29   

6.      CANCELLATION OF DEBTS   (Deut 15:1-6)

a)   A release of debts on the seventh year                  Deut 15:1-2  (“The Lord’s release”)

      i)    Only for fellow Israelites               Deut 15:3

      ii)   This law does not apply to foreigners             Deut 15:3

b)   A challenge to walk in obedience, and in faith      Deut 15:4-6

      await the promise of blessings to be fulfilled

7.      CONCERN FOR THE POOR   (Deut 15:7-11)

a)   The heart should never be hardened                Deut 15:7-8

      with reference to the plight of the poor                

b)      Misapplication of the law of Cancellation of Debts      Deut 15:9

c)   Training the heart to give to the poor and needy    Deut 15:10-11

8.   WITH REFERENCE TO BOND-SERVANTS

      (Deut 15:12-18)

a)   Release from being a bond-servant on the 7th year  

            Deut 15:12 (Hebrews only)              

b)   The release must be accompanied by appropriate gifts     

            Deut 15:13-15

c)   Those who wish to remain as “bond-servants”       

            Deut 15:16-18

9.   FIRST-BORN ANIMALS   (Deut 15:19-23)

a)   To be sanctified (set apart) for the Lord

b)   To be sacrificed

10. THREE IMPORTANT FEASTS   (Deut 16)

a)   The Passover      Deut 16:1-8

      i)      Sacrificing of the Passover Lamb   Deut 16:2,5-8

      ii)      Unleavened Bread      Deut 16:3-4

b)   The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)      Deut 16:9-12

      i)      Tribute of a freewill offering

      ii)      Emphasis on joy in giving

c)   The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)      Deut 16:13-17

      i)    All are to participate       Deut 16:14

            (Levites, stranger, fatherless, widow)                

      ii)   Joy in worship - emphasised again

NOTE EMPHASIS BY THE LORD “THEY SHALL NOT APPEAR BEFORE THE LORD EMPTY-HANDED... EVERY MAN SHALL GIVE AS HE IS ABLE, ACCORDING TO THE BLESSING OF THE LORD YOUR GOD WHICH HE HAS BLESSED YOU”     Deut 16:16-17   

10. THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES   (Deut 16:18-20)

a)   Justice to be served through appointed judges

b)   Perversion of justice strictly prohibited

11.      IDOLATRY PROHIBITED   (Deut 16:21-22)

All forms of idolatry strictly prohibited