Deuteronomy 15:20

19-23 Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as we have them all by his gift....

Verse Deuteronomy 15:20. _THOU SHALT EAT_ IT - _IN THE PLACE WHICH THE LORD SHALL_ _CHOOSE_] Thus God in his mercy made their _duty_ and _interest_ go hand in hand. And in every case God acts thus with his creatures; well, therefore, might Satan ask, Doth Job serve God for naught? No! nor does God design that any man should....

Compare Exodus 13:11 ff. The directions of the preceding legislation (see Numbers 18:15 ff) are here assumed, with the injunction added, that the animals thus set apart to God Deuteronomy 15:19 were not to be used by their owners for their earthly purposes. It is further allowed that firstborn animals which had a blemish should be regarded as exceptions, and instead of being given to God might be used as food Deuteronomy 15:21. The application of the firstborn of cattle is here directed as in Deuteronomy 12:6

EXPOSITION THE YEAR OF RELEASE FOR THE BENEFIT OF DEBTORS AND THE EMANCIPATION OF HEBREW SLAVES. THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN OF CATTLE. DEUTERONOMY 15:1 To the prescription of a tithe for the needy there is added a regulation for the behalf of debtors. The Israelites were not only to help the poor, but they were to refrain from what would be a hardship and oppression to them. Debtors, consequently, were not to be deprived of the benefit of the sabbatical year, for

THOU SHALT EAT IT BEFORE THE LORD THY GOD, YEAR BY YEAR,.... Which, if understood of male firstlings, as in connection with the preceding verse, only priests might eat of them, being devoted to the Lord; so Jarchi says, to the priest he speaks; but if this respects the Israelites in common, then they must be understood either of female firstlings or second firstlings, which the people voluntarily separated, and which they were not to eat in their own houses, BUT IN THE PLACE WHICH THE LORD SHALL CHOOSE, which was the city of Jerusalem; see Deuteronomy 12:5, THOU AND THY HOUSEHOLD; the household of the priest, as Aben Ezra interprets it; but if it designs the same as in Deuteronomy 12:17, then the Israelites and their families are meant....

12. THE FIRSTLINGS AND THE THREE FEASTS Chapter S 15:19-16:17 _ 1. Concerning the firstlings (Deuteronomy 15:19)_ 2. Passover (Deuteronomy 16:1) 3. Feast of weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9) 4. Feast of tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13) What is said in the closing verses of chapter 15 is supplementary to the law given concerning the first-born in Exodus 13:2; Exodus 13:12 and...

The law concerning the first-born of cattle (not to be ploughed with) and sheep (not to be shorn) (see Exodus 13:11 *, Exodus 22:29 f.*, Exodus 34:19 f. (all JE), and Numbers 18:15 * (P)). The older laws are here modified to suit the law of one sanctuary, where alone the sacrificial family meal is now to be eaten. Exodus 22:30 cannot therefore be carried out. P reserves all the flesh for the priesthood (Deuteronomy 14:22 *)....

Of Firstlings All male firstlings of herd and flock are to be sanctified to Jehovah; those of the ox shall not work nor those of the sheep be shorn; their flesh shall be eaten before the Lord by the offerer and his household at the One Altar year by year (Deuteronomy 15:9 f.). A blemished firstling shall not be sacrificed, but eaten at home under the conditions laid down (Deuteronomy 12:20 ff.) for the profane slaughter and eating of animals (Deuteronomy 15:21-23). Sg. throughout. Steuern. takes Deuteronomy 15:21 and...

LESSON TWELVE DEUTERONOMY 14:22 TO DEUTERONOMY 15:23 c. DIFFERENCES IN ECONOMIC PRACTICES (Deuteronomy 14:22 to Deuteronomy 15:23) 22 Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year, 23 And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always. 24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it,

THE SABBATICAL YEAR This chapter deals with the year of release, or the Sabbatical Year, and should be compared with Leviticus 25. In addition to the rest for the land and the manumission of Hebrew slaves in the seventh year, it prescribes a release of debts (Deuteronomy 15:1); only, however, so far as Hebrew creditors are concerned, and proper loans, not money due on account of purchase (Deuteronomy 15:3; Deuteronomy 15:8)....