Faith Cross Supporter Pastor/Line Supervisor at a car parts factory

The Book of Deuteronomy gives instructions as to how the Israelites were to live when they crossed over the Jordan River into the Land of the Canaanites.The focus of this portion of scripture is that the tithe was to be brought to particular towns that the Lord had designated in each region. They could feast and enjoy the fruit of their tithe there, before the Lord. Shiloh and Bethel were such places. 

Chapter 12 also explains this more fully. When they entered the Land, they were instructed to first pull down all the worship centers, the groves and the altars of the Canaanites. Then there were to be specific worship centers set up for the Lord. The tithe was to be brought before the Lord at these places. God did not want them to eat their tithe just anywhere, as this was like the worship of the Canaanites. They were to bring their tithe, and then feast in His presence. 

The tithe was also intended as provision for the Levites, who were the religious and social leaders of the community. This was to create a provision for the Levites who were not given an inheritance of land to farm. Their provision, and also the provision for widows and orphans, was to come from the tithe. 

There was another instruction given in chapter 14, that if the town that God had designated was too far away to drag their fruit, grain and oxen, then they could sell it in their own town, take the money with them, and repurchase what they needed when they arrived at the designated place.

Every third year, rather than taking their tithe to the specific areas, they were to share with the local Levites, orphans and widows. This was all specifically laid out by God so that everyone would be provided for.

March 09 2016 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report