Deuteronomy 12:11
then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name.
This phrase refers to the centralization of worship in a specific location chosen by God, which would later be identified as Jerusalem. The "dwelling for His Name" signifies a place where God's presence would be uniquely manifest, initially in the tabernacle and later in the temple. This centralization was intended to unify the Israelites in their worship practices and prevent idolatry. The concept of God choosing a specific place is echoed in 1 Kings 8:29, where Solomon prays for God's eyes to be open toward the temple. This foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who referred to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21), indicating that true worship would be centered in Him.

And there you are to bring everything I command you:
This directive emphasizes obedience to God's commands regarding worship and offerings. It underscores the importance of following divine instructions precisely, as seen throughout the Pentateuch. The Israelites were to bring their offerings to the designated place, ensuring that worship was conducted according to God's standards. This reflects the broader biblical theme of obedience as a demonstration of faith and reverence for God, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:22, where obedience is valued over sacrifice.

your burnt offerings and sacrifices,
Burnt offerings and sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. Burnt offerings, in particular, were wholly consumed by fire, representing total surrender to God. These practices were established in Leviticus and served as a means for the Israelites to maintain a right relationship with God. The sacrificial system points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10), fulfilling the law's requirements and providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

your tithes and special gifts,
Tithes were a tenth of one's produce or income, given to support the Levites and the work of the tabernacle, as outlined in Numbers 18:21-24. Special gifts, or freewill offerings, were voluntary contributions made out of gratitude or devotion. These practices fostered a spirit of generosity and reliance on God as the provider. The principle of tithing is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to give cheerfully and generously (2 Corinthians 9:7), reflecting God's provision and grace.

and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
Vows were solemn promises made to God, often accompanied by offerings. These were voluntary but binding, as seen in Numbers 30:2. Choice offerings were the best of what one had, reflecting the giver's devotion and reverence for God. This practice highlights the importance of integrity and faithfulness in fulfilling commitments to God. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the seriousness of vows and encourages straightforward honesty (Matthew 5:33-37). The concept of offering one's best to God is fulfilled in Christ, who gave Himself as the perfect offering for sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is establishing a place for His Name to dwell among His people.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to worship and where to bring their offerings.

3. The Dwelling Place
The specific location that God will choose for His Name to reside, which is later identified as Jerusalem.

4. Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices
These are acts of worship and atonement, central to the Israelites' relationship with God.

5. Tithes and Special Gifts
These represent the Israelites' obedience and gratitude, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty.
Teaching Points
Centrality of Worship
God desires a specific place for His Name to dwell, emphasizing the importance of centralized worship and community in the life of believers.

Obedience in Worship
The Israelites are commanded to bring specific offerings, highlighting the need for obedience in how we approach God in worship.

God's Sovereignty
The choice of the dwelling place is God's alone, reminding us of His sovereignty and the need to submit to His will.

Generosity and Gratitude
The command to bring tithes and special gifts encourages believers to practice generosity and express gratitude for God's blessings.

Fulfillment in Christ
The sacrificial system points to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, teaching us about the completeness of His work on the cross.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a central place of worship in Deuteronomy 12:11 relate to the church's role in a believer's life today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains obedient and aligned with God's commands?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty in choosing the place for His Name to dwell impact our trust in His plans for our lives?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate a spirit of generosity and gratitude in our daily lives?

5. How does the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Jesus Christ influence our understanding of worship and sacrifice today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 8
Solomon's dedication of the temple in Jerusalem as the dwelling place for God's Name fulfills the command in Deuteronomy 12:11.

Malachi 3
Discusses the importance of bringing tithes and offerings to God's house, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness.

Hebrews 10
Reflects on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the New Covenant.
Centralization in WorshipR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 12:4-14
Characteristic Signs of Jehovah's WorshipD. Davies Deuteronomy 12:5-28
The Central SanctuaryJ. Orr Deuteronomy 12:6-29
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River
Topics
Bring, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Cause, Choice, Choose, Command, Commanding, Contribution, Dwell, Dwelling, Fix, Gifts, Goods, Heave, Heave-offering, Lifted, Marked, Oaths, Offering, Offerings, Orders, Pass, Possessions, Present, Resting-place, Sacrifices, Special, Tabernacle, Tenth, Thither, Tithes, Votive, Vow, Vowed, Vows, Wave
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 12:11

     1657   numbers, fractions
     5325   gifts
     5340   house
     5578   tents
     5741   vows
     6622   choice
     7922   fellowship, with God

Deuteronomy 12:4-25

     4478   meat

Deuteronomy 12:8-14

     7302   altar

Deuteronomy 12:11-12

     5682   family, significance
     7447   slavery, in OT

Library
The Eating of the Peace-Offering
'But thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.'--DEUT. xii. 18. There were three bloody sacrifices, the sin-offering, the burnt- offering, and the peace-offering. In all three expiation was the first idea, but in the second of them the act
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The King --Continued.
The second event recorded as important in the bright early years is the great promise of the perpetuity of the kingdom in David's house. As soon as the king was firmly established and free from war, he remembered the ancient word which said, "When He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there" (Deut. xii. 10, 11). His own ease rebukes him; he regards his tranquillity
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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