Week 59, Day 3: In the designated place
Today’s Reading: Deut 12:1-32
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Moses warns Israel that they are to be careful not to offer their sacrifices in just any place when they enter into the land. They are to offer their sacrifices in the place where the Lord chooses. They are going to be entering into a land where the people had many high places and idols. Israel was warned not to pursue worshipping these idols and not to sacrifice in all these places that had been used for the idolatrous worship. It is not explained what Israel was supposed to do in the period of time between when they entered the land and when God chose the place for the temple.
The main thrust of this passage is a warning to them. Don’t be carried off after the idol worship. Such practices as sacrificing their children to these gods. It might seem strange to think that they would need such a warning since they have seen all the mighty works of God in the wilderness. But Moses is warning them, instructing them in the way that they should go. And I believe that he knew by the Spirit of prophecy that Israel would be drawn into following the same idolatrous practices of the people. This should serve as instruction for us. Even though we may think something would never happen, we need to train our children so that they “know better”. Don’t take things for granted. If we do not teach the next generation why they serve God and what God commands of us then we may find one day that they have been carried off into practicing things we never thought they would engage in.
Question: Where was the place that God chose for Israel to make their sacrifices? What other events took place at this same location (hint: the connection goes all the way back to Abraham)?
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