Deuteronomy 26

¹ And it shall be, when thou [art] come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;

² That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put [it] in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

³ And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.

⁴ And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.

⁵ And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

⁶ And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

⁷ And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

⁸ And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

⁹ And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, [even] a land that floweth with milk and honey.

¹⁰ And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

¹¹ And thou shalt rejoice in every good [thing] which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that [is] among you.

¹² When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, [which is] the year of tithing, and hast given [it] unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

¹³ Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of [mine] house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten [them]:

¹⁴ I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away [ought] thereof for [any] unclean [use], nor given [ought] thereof for the dead: [but] I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, [and] have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

¹⁵ Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

¹⁶ This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

¹⁷ Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

¹⁸ And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that [thou] shouldest keep all his commandments;

¹⁹ And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

Overview of Deuteronomy Chapter 26

Deuteronomy Chapter 26 outlines specific instructions for the Israelites regarding their offerings and the declaration of their faithfulness to God. This chapter emphasizes the importance of gratitude, remembrance, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Key Themes

• First Fruits Offering: The chapter begins with the command to bring the first fruits of the harvest to the place designated by God.
• Remembrance and Acknowledgment: The act of presenting the first fruits is accompanied by a declaration of the Israelites’ history and God’s faithfulness.
• Covenant Relationship: The chapter reinforces the covenant between God and Israel, highlighting the obligations of both parties.
• Social Justice: The instructions also touch on the care for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, emphasizing the community’s responsibility to support the vulnerable.

Detailed Analysis

1. Instructions for Offering First Fruits (Verses 1-11)

In the first part of the chapter, God commands the Israelites to bring the first fruits of their harvest to the designated place of worship. This act serves multiple purposes:

1. It acknowledges God’s provision and sovereignty over the land.
2. It fosters a sense of community and shared worship among the Israelites.
3. It reinforces the agricultural cycle as a reminder of God’s blessings.

The act of presenting the first fruits is not merely a ritual; it is a declaration of faith, recognizing that all good gifts come from God.

2. The Declaration of History (Verses 5-10)

As part of the offering, the individual is instructed to recite a declaration that recounts the history of Israel:

• Their origin as a wandering Aramean.
• Their oppression in Egypt and subsequent deliverance.
• The journey to the Promised Land and the blessings received.

This recitation serves to remind the Israelites of their identity and the faithfulness of God throughout their history. It reinforces the importance of remembering where they came from as they enjoy the fruits of the land.

3. The Covenant Relationship (Verses 16-19)

The latter part of the chapter emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. God commands the people to observe His statutes and commandments:

• They are to be a holy people, set apart for God.
• God promises to elevate them above all nations if they remain faithful.

This section highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant: obedience leads to blessings, while disobedience can result in consequences.

4. Social Responsibility (Verses 12-15)

In addition to personal offerings, the chapter also addresses social justice:

• The Israelites are instructed to care for the Levites, who do not have a land inheritance.
• Provision is made for the marginalized, including the foreigners, orphans, and widows.

This aspect of the chapter underscores the importance of community and the responsibility of the faithful to support those in need, reflecting God’s character of compassion and justice.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy Chapter 26 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude, remembrance, and social justice within the covenant relationship between God and His people. The instructions regarding first fruits and the recitation of Israel’s history highlight the significance of acknowledging God’s blessings while also emphasizing the community’s responsibility to care for the vulnerable. This chapter encapsulates the essence of living in accordance with God’s commandments and the blessings that flow from such faithfulness.