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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
26:1-19 Firstfruits and Tithes. The final section of specific laws deals with the offering of firstfruits and tithes in the land. This is a fitting conclusion, as it focuses on responding to God's gracious gift of the land, a key theme in the book. As God gives the land, so Israel is to give back to him in response.
26:2 first of all the fruit. This law commands a regular offering of firstfruits of the harvest, season by season. It acknowledges the goodness of the land promised by God and his faithfulness in keeping his promise (v. 3). place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. See 12:5 and note on 12:5-6.
26:5-10 These verses are often regarded as an early Israelite creed, liturgically recounting God's faithfulness to his promises as the grounds of thanksgiving. Aramean. This refers to Jacob, who married the daughters of his uncle Laban, an Aramean (Gen. 28:5). down into Egypt. See Ex. 1:1-7. treated us harshly. See Exodus 1-2. cried to the Lord. See Ex. 2:23-24. signs and wonders. The plagues of Egypt (Ex. 7:14-12:32). milk and honey. See Deut. 6:3.
26:11 rejoice. See 12:7 and note. Levite, and the sojourner. The landless are included in the celebrations of the land (see 12:12 and note).
26:14 The three disclaimers in this verse underscore the worshiper's claim to have been fully obedient. offered any of it to the dead. This is a pagan practice.
26:15 Look down from your holy habitation. God dwells in heaven, though on earth his name and presence also dwell in the central place of worship. See 4:36 and note on 12:5-6; cf. 1 Kings 8:27-30.
