Deuteronomy 14: A Set-Apart People, Set Apart Practices
Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
And every raven after his kind,
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
But of all clean fowls ye may eat.
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Deuteronomy 14, a pivotal chapter in Moses's address to the Israelites, delves into the practical implications of being God's chosen people. It underscores the importance of distinctiveness, outlining specific behaviors and practices that would set Israel apart from the surrounding nations. This chapter emphasizes holiness in both outward actions and inward attitudes, reflecting a life dedicated to the Lord. Understanding Deuteronomy 14 is crucial for grasping the essence of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and its enduring relevance for believers today.
Avoiding Pagan Practices (Deuteronomy 14:1-2)
Moses begins by sternly warning the Israelites against emulating the religious practices of the nations around them (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). He specifically prohibits mourning rituals such as cutting themselves or making bald spots on their heads. These practices were common among the Canaanites and other pagan cultures as expressions of grief and devotion to their deities. God explicitly forbade these customs because they were associated with false religions and were therefore inappropriate for His holy people. The core message here is clear: as a people set apart for God, Israel was to reject any practice that blurred the lines between true worship and pagan idolatry. God had given Israel very explicit instructions regarding how they were to worship him. The relevant portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy provide explicit details. Therefore, an Israelite had no excuse if he chose to depart from God’s way and engage in unapproved spiritual activities.
Dietary Laws: More Than Just Food (Deuteronomy 14:3-21)
A significant portion of Deuteronomy 14 (Deuteronomy 14:3-21) is dedicated to outlining Israel's dietary laws, specifying which animals were considered "clean" and permissible to eat, and which were "unclean" and forbidden. The reasons behind these food laws have been the subject of much debate. Some have suggested health concerns, noting that certain prohibited animals, like pigs (Deuteronomy 14:8) and vultures (Deuteronomy 14:12), can carry diseases or consume decaying matter. While this may have been a beneficial side effect, Scripture does not explicitly state health as the primary justification. Furthermore, Jesus would later declare all foods clean (Acts 10:9-15).
Another theory posits that the prohibited animals were associated with pagan religious rites. While there might be some truth to this, as evidenced by the prohibition against boiling a young goat in its mother's milk (Deuteronomy 14:21), which may have been a Canaanite ritual, it doesn't fully explain all the dietary restrictions.
The most compelling reason for these dietary laws lies in Deuteronomy 14:21: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God." The food laws served as a constant reminder of Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, setting them apart from the other nations. They were a tangible expression of their commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands. These laws were not merely about what they could and could not eat; they were about their identity and their relationship with God.
Tithing: Acknowledging God's Provision (Deuteronomy 14:22-29)
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 shifts focus to the practice of tithing, the giving of a tenth of one's produce and livestock to the Lord. This was another vital aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God, serving as a constant reminder that everything they possessed came from His gracious hand. They were to bring their tithes from their crops and livestock to the central sanctuary and eat part of them in a communal meal of rejoicing before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). Part of the uneaten tithe provided for the needs of the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:27). Every third year, the entire tithe was stored away for the Levite, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). If the Israelites were faithful in this way, the Lord would bless them in all the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 14:29).
The laws of the tithe, or tenth (Deuteronomy 14:22), were another way of reminding the Israelites that everything they had came from God’s gracious hand. They were to bring their tithes from their crops and livestock to the central sanctuary and eat part of them in a communal meal of rejoicing before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). Part of the uneaten tithe provided for the needs of the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:27). Every third year, the entire tithe was stored away for the Levite . . . the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). If the Israelites were faithful in this way, the Lord would bless them in all the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 14:29).
The act of tithing was not merely a financial obligation; it was an act of worship and faith. It demonstrated their trust in God's provision and their recognition of His sovereignty over their lives.
God’s kingdom agenda for his people’s money is the opposite of the world’s advice. According to the world, hoarding our money leads to prosperity. But God says that giving is the way of blessing (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). God does not call us to give generously to him so that he can make us rich, however. That’s the so-called “prosperity gospel,” which only results in prosperity for its preachers.
Giving to God first is crucial because it shows how much you value him, and it expresses your faith in his ability and willingness to provide for you. When Israel gave the Lord their tithe, they were not saying that ten percent belonged to God while the other ninety percent belonged to them. Instead, giving a tenth to God was their way of acknowledging that everything they had was from God.
Giving to God is a test of our faith. Israel lived in an agrarian society, so the people were dependent on their harvest to survive. When they gave God the first portion of their crops, they were trusting him to bless them and provide for their needs so that they could feed their families and be charitable to others. The Lord calls followers of Jesus to put this principle into practice today.
Enduring Principles for Today
While some of the specific practices outlined in Deuteronomy 14, such as the dietary laws, are no longer binding on Christians (as clarified in the New Testament), the underlying principles remain relevant. We are still called to be a people set apart for God, distinguished by our love, our integrity, and our commitment to living according to His Word. We are called to reject the values and practices of the world that are contrary to God's will, and to live lives that reflect His holiness. We are also called to acknowledge God's provision in our lives through acts of generosity and stewardship, trusting that He will continue to provide for our needs as we honor Him with our resources. Deuteronomy 14 is a powerful reminder that being God's people involves more than just outward conformity; it requires a transformation of the heart that leads to a life of obedience, worship, and devotion.
Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
And every raven after his kind,
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
But of all clean fowls ye may eat.
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Deuteronomy 14, a pivotal chapter in Moses's address to the Israelites, delves into the practical implications of being God's chosen people. It underscores the importance of distinctiveness, outlining specific behaviors and practices that would set Israel apart from the surrounding nations. This chapter emphasizes holiness in both outward actions and inward attitudes, reflecting a life dedicated to the Lord. Understanding Deuteronomy 14 is crucial for grasping the essence of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and its enduring relevance for believers today.
Avoiding Pagan Practices (Deuteronomy 14:1-2)
Moses begins by sternly warning the Israelites against emulating the religious practices of the nations around them (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). He specifically prohibits mourning rituals such as cutting themselves or making bald spots on their heads. These practices were common among the Canaanites and other pagan cultures as expressions of grief and devotion to their deities. God explicitly forbade these customs because they were associated with false religions and were therefore inappropriate for His holy people. The core message here is clear: as a people set apart for God, Israel was to reject any practice that blurred the lines between true worship and pagan idolatry. God had given Israel very explicit instructions regarding how they were to worship him. The relevant portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy provide explicit details. Therefore, an Israelite had no excuse if he chose to depart from God’s way and engage in unapproved spiritual activities.
Dietary Laws: More Than Just Food (Deuteronomy 14:3-21)
A significant portion of Deuteronomy 14 (Deuteronomy 14:3-21) is dedicated to outlining Israel's dietary laws, specifying which animals were considered "clean" and permissible to eat, and which were "unclean" and forbidden. The reasons behind these food laws have been the subject of much debate. Some have suggested health concerns, noting that certain prohibited animals, like pigs (Deuteronomy 14:8) and vultures (Deuteronomy 14:12), can carry diseases or consume decaying matter. While this may have been a beneficial side effect, Scripture does not explicitly state health as the primary justification. Furthermore, Jesus would later declare all foods clean (Acts 10:9-15).
Another theory posits that the prohibited animals were associated with pagan religious rites. While there might be some truth to this, as evidenced by the prohibition against boiling a young goat in its mother's milk (Deuteronomy 14:21), which may have been a Canaanite ritual, it doesn't fully explain all the dietary restrictions.
The most compelling reason for these dietary laws lies in Deuteronomy 14:21: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God." The food laws served as a constant reminder of Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, setting them apart from the other nations. They were a tangible expression of their commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands. These laws were not merely about what they could and could not eat; they were about their identity and their relationship with God.
Tithing: Acknowledging God's Provision (Deuteronomy 14:22-29)
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 shifts focus to the practice of tithing, the giving of a tenth of one's produce and livestock to the Lord. This was another vital aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God, serving as a constant reminder that everything they possessed came from His gracious hand. They were to bring their tithes from their crops and livestock to the central sanctuary and eat part of them in a communal meal of rejoicing before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). Part of the uneaten tithe provided for the needs of the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:27). Every third year, the entire tithe was stored away for the Levite, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). If the Israelites were faithful in this way, the Lord would bless them in all the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 14:29).
The laws of the tithe, or tenth (Deuteronomy 14:22), were another way of reminding the Israelites that everything they had came from God’s gracious hand. They were to bring their tithes from their crops and livestock to the central sanctuary and eat part of them in a communal meal of rejoicing before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). Part of the uneaten tithe provided for the needs of the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:27). Every third year, the entire tithe was stored away for the Levite . . . the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). If the Israelites were faithful in this way, the Lord would bless them in all the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 14:29).
The act of tithing was not merely a financial obligation; it was an act of worship and faith. It demonstrated their trust in God's provision and their recognition of His sovereignty over their lives.
God’s kingdom agenda for his people’s money is the opposite of the world’s advice. According to the world, hoarding our money leads to prosperity. But God says that giving is the way of blessing (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). God does not call us to give generously to him so that he can make us rich, however. That’s the so-called “prosperity gospel,” which only results in prosperity for its preachers.
Giving to God first is crucial because it shows how much you value him, and it expresses your faith in his ability and willingness to provide for you. When Israel gave the Lord their tithe, they were not saying that ten percent belonged to God while the other ninety percent belonged to them. Instead, giving a tenth to God was their way of acknowledging that everything they had was from God.
Giving to God is a test of our faith. Israel lived in an agrarian society, so the people were dependent on their harvest to survive. When they gave God the first portion of their crops, they were trusting him to bless them and provide for their needs so that they could feed their families and be charitable to others. The Lord calls followers of Jesus to put this principle into practice today.
Enduring Principles for Today
While some of the specific practices outlined in Deuteronomy 14, such as the dietary laws, are no longer binding on Christians (as clarified in the New Testament), the underlying principles remain relevant. We are still called to be a people set apart for God, distinguished by our love, our integrity, and our commitment to living according to His Word. We are called to reject the values and practices of the world that are contrary to God's will, and to live lives that reflect His holiness. We are also called to acknowledge God's provision in our lives through acts of generosity and stewardship, trusting that He will continue to provide for our needs as we honor Him with our resources. Deuteronomy 14 is a powerful reminder that being God's people involves more than just outward conformity; it requires a transformation of the heart that leads to a life of obedience, worship, and devotion.