Deuteronomy 25:11-26:19
Any careless familiarity of a woman with a man is displeasing to the Lord, and was to be dealt with in Israel. Let us remember that the Lord has set “our secret sins in the light of His countenance” (Psalm 90:8). He knows all we do.
The people were instructed to give full weight and full measure in all their dealings. It is a very sad thing when those who bear the name of Christ are dishonest in their dealings. Sometimes we even hear people boast of how they “got by” in some questionable deal. But they only thought they did! God sees all we do. Let us remember that these things are “an abomination unto the Lord.”
The children of Israel were not to forget that Amalek was the continual enemy of Israel, nor were they to make peace with him. We too are to remember that “the flesh profiteth nothing” (John 6:63). It never changes, always lusting against the Spirit, so that there will always be conflict as long as we are in this scene. When we reach the glory, however, the old nature (of which Amalek is a type) will be gone forever.
The Firstfruits
After this they were instructed what to say when they brought their basket of firstfruits to the Lord. They were never to forget what they were by nature themselves. It is instructive at this point to notice that although God did not accept Cain’s offering of the fruit of the ground, He did accept these things from the children of Israel. The reason for this is that they were a redeemed people. They had not, like Cain, refused to take shelter under the blood, when they were redeemed out of Egypt, and over and over again they showed in their sacrifices that approach to God was through the shed blood alone. And so with us, God accepts the “good works” we do for Him in obedience to His Word, but all our work, before we were saved were but “dead works” and “filthy rags.”
When the Israelite brought his basket of firstfruits he was to recall what the Lord had done for him. He was to say, “A Syrian ready to perish was my father,” and then to tell what the Lord had done for his nation — for it was the Lord’s goodness and grace that had blessed them so abundantly. May we, never forget what the Lord has done for us, but tell Him often, from thankful hearts, how we appreciate His wondrous grace to us.
Worship Acceptable to God
After this they were to tell how they had kept His commandments and done them, how they had not taken for themselves what belonged to the Lord and also how they had cared for the needy among them. While undoubtedly there was failure in carrying this out, it shows us that there is a suited state in which we should approach God as worshippers. He must have first place in our hearts and lives, and to try to look after all our own interests first and then the Lord, is most dishonoring to Him. Then, too, if we have wronged a brother, or neglected the need of some brother, there will be no liberty in worship, nor will our worship be acceptable to the Lord (Matthew 5:23-24). As we think of the many strained feelings and unkind things that have never been righted among the people of God, we know that many dear saints are losing the joy that might be theirs in the Lord’s presence. And the Lord is losing His portion too! May the Lord give us grace to settle these things to His glory before another Lord’s day.
Further Meditations
1. What was an Israelite supposed to do when he brought his basket of firstfruits to the Lord?
2. It is wonderful to have a clear conscience and be able to worship without hindrance. How did Nathan help David get to the point where he could worship again?
3. You might find the pamphlet Christian Worship by W. Kelly a help in distinguishing the Biblical definition of worship from the way the word often gets used.