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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Deuteronomy 12:1-19
Up to chapter 4, the people were asked to learn their lessons from the past. From chapter 4 to chapter 11, Moses placed on their hearts the important duty of obedience to the LORD. Now we reach the third part of the book in which Israel is going to receive instructions for the time when the people will live in the land. The most important instruction concerns the establishment of a place for worshipping their God. The Israelite had to begin by purifying the land of all the Canaanite abominations, then to look for – but not to choose – the place where the worship service was to be held. Similarly it is not the Christian’s place to decide where or how he will give praise to God. His duty is to enquire carefully, according to the Scriptures, concerning the place where the Lord has promised His presence. When unsure, he is to follow the example of the two disciples sent by the Master to prepare the Passover and who asked Him: "Where wilt thou that we prepare?" (Luke 22:9).
It is in this place chosen by the LORD (v. 14) that the Israelite will bring his various sacrifices, where he will eat them and finally where he will rejoice with all his household (vv. 7, 12). This is a picture of what we come to do and receive in the presence of the Lord Jesus when we are gathered together around Him! (Matthew 18:20).
