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Deuteronomy 26 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Up to this point, Israel has had a nomadic existence, meaning, they have been on the move without a permanent home. Now they are getting ready to settle in an agricultural society in the Promised Land, so God (through Moses) is building a system of dependence and worship into the fabric of their society. It is similar to how we think about Christmas. Many celebrate Christmas, but for Christians, the celebration has symbolism that draws our hearts toward Christ. God is establishing an agricultural system that will draw their hearts toward Him.
Quick Summary
- Firstfruits Offering (26:1-11): The firstfruits of Israel’s harvest refer to the initial portion of the crops harvested each agricultural season. The idea is that this firstfruits giving honored the Lord, because it gave Him the initial (or best) portion off the top before any was taken or used for themselves. Once the Israelites move in and possess the land promised to them by God, they are commanded to bring the firstfruits of their harvest to the Lord, offering them at the sanctuary. This act is to acknowledge God’s provision.
- Confession of God’s Faithfulness (26:5-10): The person making the firstfruits offering brings them to priest and recites a declaration, recounting Israel’s journey from being a small, oppressed people in Egypt to being delivered and settled in a land of abundance.
- Tithing (26:12-15): Every third year, the Israelites are instructed to bring a tithe of their produce for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This act of obedience is meant to help those in need. God has always had a heart for the marginalized.
- Covenant Renewal (26:16-19): The chapter ends with a call to Israel to obey God’s commandments and to live as a holy people, set apart for God’s purposes. In return, God will make Israel a people “holy to the Lord,” and they will be exalted above all nations.
In order to understand this firstfruits concept, I think it’s important to understand the agricultural calendar and how God arranged for Israel to integrate spiritual worship into their harvest time.
God establishes a series of feasts or festivals throughout the year and we actually read about these back in Leviticus 23. There were four in the spring and three in the fall. Sabbath, Passover, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost – 50 days after Passover), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths (or “Tabernacles”).
The feast of the Firstfruits was a regular yearly practice, however, the command given here in Deuteronomy 26 could have been a special offering that was specifically tied to their journey into the Promised Land.
Later Jewish tradition holds that the law was given to Israel at Mount Sinai on the same date as the Feast of Firstfruits, making it fitting to connect the two events as they prepare to renew their covenant with the Lord and settle in the land He promised to them.
Response
The expectation for Israel was to remember the grace and faithfulness of God, and allow the joy of their identity in the Lord (as receivers of His grace) to drive their obedience. The same is true for us today. Cheerful giving with a grateful heart is worship that fulfills obedience and reflects Christ.
We see this demonstrated in the NT in the gospel of Luke. In Luke 18, we get a story about a rich young ruler who comes to Jesus and wants to know how to inherit eternal life. He claims he has kept all the commandments, but Jesus looks into his heart and tells him he lacks one thing.
When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:22 CSB
Jesus is inviting this man into a relationship of love and grace where he can participate in the Kingdom by being a cheerful giver and receive treasure far greater than anything he had collected on earth. But this man is so law-bound that he interprets Jesus’ request as a burden that he cannot keep. He has earned everything in life and he is unable to part with his wealth. Jesus then makes a shocking statement – “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples are stunned. This man was righteous, blessed, and wealthy! “Who, then can be saved?” they ask. Jesus says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
In the next chapter, Luke 19, we get another story of a wealthy man who comes to Jesus and we see the fulfillment of “possible with God.”
He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. [4] So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. [5] When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” [6] So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. [7] All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” [8] But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” [9] “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10 CSB
I think Luke intentionally positioned these stories close to each other for a reason. Zacchaeus knows he needs Jesus and he is willing to climb a tree just to get a glimpse of Him. When Jesus invites Himself over, Zacchaeus’ heart overflows with a cheerful and grateful attitude which leads to obedience. Notice – Jesus doesn’t ask him to do anything. With the young ruler, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions because he is operating under the law, but in the case of Zacchaeus, this generous pronouncement bursts forth from his joy which was received by grace through faith. Jesus declares something amazing that we cannot miss. Salvation has come to this house! What is impossible with man, is possible with God.
Rich Young Ruler
- He sought eternal life (not Jesus Himself) as a reward for his actions.
- His obedience was external, motivated by duty and self-reliance.
- He had no need for a Savior, so the burden of the law was heavy.
- His attitude was “Look at what I’m losing.”
Zacchaeus
- He sought Jesus knowing he was broken.
- His heart change was motivated by the grace of Jesus.
- His joy in encountering Christ led to generous, heartfelt obedience flowing naturally from being with Jesus.
- His attitude was “Look at what I have been given!”
The lesson is just as clear today as it should have been for the Israelites during the time of Deuteronomy. Obedience is not done under compulsion or obligation (and the law cannot save!) It is not dependent on our own willpower (though willpower is involved in the process). True obedience comes from being with Jesus and experiencing His grace. Jesus said it Himself.
“If you love me, you will keep my commands.
John 14:15 CSB