Deuteronomy 16 Commentary
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there.
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee:
But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.
Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.
Deuteronomy 16 focuses on worship and justice, two pillars upon which the nation of Israel was to be built. It outlines the prescribed observances of key festivals and emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership, highlighting God's design for a nation set apart. This chapter provides invaluable insights into the heart of God's relationship with His people and how that relationship should manifest in their communal life. Let's delve deeper into each section.
The Appointed Feasts (Deuteronomy 16:1-17)
This section details the three major festivals that required all Israelite men to journey to the central sanctuary. These weren't just holidays; they were pivotal moments of remembrance, rededication, and rejoicing in God's provision.
Passover (Deuteronomy 16:1-8)
The first festival is Passover, a seven-day celebration commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:1). The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a Passover animal from their herd or flock and eat it with unleavened bread, a reminder of their hasty departure from Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:2-3). The unleavened bread served as a tangible symbol of their liberation, a constant reminder of God's intervention in their history.
The command to abstain from yeast during this period was strict; no yeast was to be found anywhere in their territory (Deuteronomy 16:4). Symbolically, "yeast" often represents sin in Scripture, suggesting that the celebration of freedom from physical bondage should also prompt reflection on freedom from spiritual corruption.
A key aspect of Passover was its centralization. The Passover celebration was prohibited in any town except "the place where the LORD your God chooses to have his name dwell" (Deuteronomy 16:6), which would eventually be Jerusalem. This requirement underscored the national significance of Passover, reinforcing the importance of God's deliverance as the birth of Israel as a nation. The tents mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:7 would have been temporary quarters erected by the worshipers during the festival.
The Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)
The next national gathering was the Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:10), also known as Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth" in Greek, as it occurred fifty days after the Festival of Firstfruits. This was a joyful celebration of God's abundant provision during the harvest. It was marked by a freewill offering given in proportion to how the Lord had blessed them throughout the year (Deuteronomy 16:10). A communal meal was held at the central sanctuary, and this meal was to include the Levites and the marginalized (Deuteronomy 16:11), emphasizing the importance of sharing God's blessings with those in need.
The Festival of Shelters (Deuteronomy 16:13-15)
The third pilgrim festival was the Festival of Shelters, also known as the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths (Deuteronomy 16:13). This seven-day observance commanded the Israelites to build and live in temporary shelters, reminding them of God's provision during their wilderness wanderings (see Leviticus 23:42-43). It was a powerful visual aid, connecting them to their history and God's faithfulness in the face of hardship. The festival also celebrated God's provision during the fall harvest.
A Call to Worship and Generosity (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
Moses' summary of these festivals reminded the men, as heads of their families, to lead the way in worshiping the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:16). This principle transcends time and culture, urging us to prioritize worship and spiritual leadership within our own families. They were also to bring a gift in keeping with their means, reflecting how the Lord had blessed them (Deuteronomy 16:17). This act of generosity was not a burden, but an opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge God's provision.
The Importance of Just Leadership (Deuteronomy 16:18-22)
This section transitions to the critical role of leadership and justice within the Israelite society.
Righteous Judges and Officials (Deuteronomy 16:18-20)
Biblical Israel was a theocracy, a nation governed by God. This meant that the civil leaders, judges, and officials were charged with judging the people with righteous judgment (Deuteronomy 16:18), mirroring God's own justice. As a nation in covenant with God, Israel was accountable to the Law of Moses, the statutes and commands given through Moses. Accepting bribes or perverting justice would break God's holy requirements and could cause Israel to forfeit the land God was giving them (Deuteronomy 16:19-20). God's leaders, both then and now, are called to pursue justice alone, not selfish gain (Deuteronomy 16:20).
Guarding Against Idolatry (Deuteronomy 16:21-22)
The theocratic nature of Israel's government is further emphasized in these verses. Moses abruptly shifts from the duties of judges to forbidden forms of worship. These topics were intricately related; in Israel, even civil rulers were responsible for guarding the nation's purity of worship and punishing offenders. Moses cautioned the leaders to be vigilant against violations of true worship (Deuteronomy 16:21–17:1). Setting up a wooden Asherah pole or sacred pillars was strictly forbidden, as these were associated with pagan worship practices.
Israel was unique in its theocratic structure ordained by God. While some may desire a theocracy in their own nations, it's crucial to recognize that our calling as the church is not to establish one. However, we can and should hold our civil leaders accountable to the righteous standards of God's Word. If they reject the objective standards of justice and righteousness established by the Creator, we can strive to replace them with leaders who will uphold these principles.
Deuteronomy 16 serves as a powerful reminder that true worship and righteous living are intertwined. By remembering God's faithfulness, celebrating His provision, and upholding justice, we can reflect His character in our lives and communities.
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there.
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee:
But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.
Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.
Deuteronomy 16 focuses on worship and justice, two pillars upon which the nation of Israel was to be built. It outlines the prescribed observances of key festivals and emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership, highlighting God's design for a nation set apart. This chapter provides invaluable insights into the heart of God's relationship with His people and how that relationship should manifest in their communal life. Let's delve deeper into each section.
The Appointed Feasts (Deuteronomy 16:1-17)
This section details the three major festivals that required all Israelite men to journey to the central sanctuary. These weren't just holidays; they were pivotal moments of remembrance, rededication, and rejoicing in God's provision.
Passover (Deuteronomy 16:1-8)
The first festival is Passover, a seven-day celebration commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:1). The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a Passover animal from their herd or flock and eat it with unleavened bread, a reminder of their hasty departure from Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:2-3). The unleavened bread served as a tangible symbol of their liberation, a constant reminder of God's intervention in their history.
The command to abstain from yeast during this period was strict; no yeast was to be found anywhere in their territory (Deuteronomy 16:4). Symbolically, "yeast" often represents sin in Scripture, suggesting that the celebration of freedom from physical bondage should also prompt reflection on freedom from spiritual corruption.
A key aspect of Passover was its centralization. The Passover celebration was prohibited in any town except "the place where the LORD your God chooses to have his name dwell" (Deuteronomy 16:6), which would eventually be Jerusalem. This requirement underscored the national significance of Passover, reinforcing the importance of God's deliverance as the birth of Israel as a nation. The tents mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:7 would have been temporary quarters erected by the worshipers during the festival.
The Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)
The next national gathering was the Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:10), also known as Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth" in Greek, as it occurred fifty days after the Festival of Firstfruits. This was a joyful celebration of God's abundant provision during the harvest. It was marked by a freewill offering given in proportion to how the Lord had blessed them throughout the year (Deuteronomy 16:10). A communal meal was held at the central sanctuary, and this meal was to include the Levites and the marginalized (Deuteronomy 16:11), emphasizing the importance of sharing God's blessings with those in need.
The Festival of Shelters (Deuteronomy 16:13-15)
The third pilgrim festival was the Festival of Shelters, also known as the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths (Deuteronomy 16:13). This seven-day observance commanded the Israelites to build and live in temporary shelters, reminding them of God's provision during their wilderness wanderings (see Leviticus 23:42-43). It was a powerful visual aid, connecting them to their history and God's faithfulness in the face of hardship. The festival also celebrated God's provision during the fall harvest.
A Call to Worship and Generosity (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)
Moses' summary of these festivals reminded the men, as heads of their families, to lead the way in worshiping the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:16). This principle transcends time and culture, urging us to prioritize worship and spiritual leadership within our own families. They were also to bring a gift in keeping with their means, reflecting how the Lord had blessed them (Deuteronomy 16:17). This act of generosity was not a burden, but an opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge God's provision.
The Importance of Just Leadership (Deuteronomy 16:18-22)
This section transitions to the critical role of leadership and justice within the Israelite society.
Righteous Judges and Officials (Deuteronomy 16:18-20)
Biblical Israel was a theocracy, a nation governed by God. This meant that the civil leaders, judges, and officials were charged with judging the people with righteous judgment (Deuteronomy 16:18), mirroring God's own justice. As a nation in covenant with God, Israel was accountable to the Law of Moses, the statutes and commands given through Moses. Accepting bribes or perverting justice would break God's holy requirements and could cause Israel to forfeit the land God was giving them (Deuteronomy 16:19-20). God's leaders, both then and now, are called to pursue justice alone, not selfish gain (Deuteronomy 16:20).
Guarding Against Idolatry (Deuteronomy 16:21-22)
The theocratic nature of Israel's government is further emphasized in these verses. Moses abruptly shifts from the duties of judges to forbidden forms of worship. These topics were intricately related; in Israel, even civil rulers were responsible for guarding the nation's purity of worship and punishing offenders. Moses cautioned the leaders to be vigilant against violations of true worship (Deuteronomy 16:21–17:1). Setting up a wooden Asherah pole or sacred pillars was strictly forbidden, as these were associated with pagan worship practices.
Israel was unique in its theocratic structure ordained by God. While some may desire a theocracy in their own nations, it's crucial to recognize that our calling as the church is not to establish one. However, we can and should hold our civil leaders accountable to the righteous standards of God's Word. If they reject the objective standards of justice and righteousness established by the Creator, we can strive to replace them with leaders who will uphold these principles.
Deuteronomy 16 serves as a powerful reminder that true worship and righteous living are intertwined. By remembering God's faithfulness, celebrating His provision, and upholding justice, we can reflect His character in our lives and communities.