Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 12, Galatians 3

DateVersionReading Plan
June 14, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Deuteronomy 12

Observation & Interpretation

The LORD through Moses gave the people the statutes and rules and they were to be careful to do them (Deut. 12:1). They were to completely destroy all the places where the nations who they shall dispossess had worshiped their gods (Deut. 12:3). The LORD was not be worshiped in this way (Deut. 12:4). Instead, the people were to seek the place where the LORD their God would choose out of all the tribes for His habitation (Deut. 12:5). It was to be to this place that all offerings should be brought (Deut. 12:6).

The people were not to do according to all they were doing at that time, everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. “An individual Israelite doing whatever seems right in his own sight does not mean that religious anarchy prevailed as in the days of the judges (Jdg 21:25). In this context it speaks to the lack of a single central sanctuary site in the wilderness.” (CSB Notes). The people were to bring offerings to the place that was designated by the LORD (Deut. 12:10-11). They were to rejoice before the LORD their God, all the tribes and Levite within their towns who had no inheritance (Deut. 12:12-13). They were not to perform offerings to just any place but at the place the LORD had chosen (Deut. 12:4).

However, the people could slaughter and eat meat within any of their towns, as much as they desire (Deut. 12:15). The BBC provides a helpful note:

In Leviticus 17:3, 4, God had commanded that when any sacrificial animal such as an ox, sheep, or goat was slain, it had to be brought to the tabernacle. Now that the people were about to settle in Canaan, the law must be changed. Henceforth the Jews could kill and eat domestic animals commonly used for sacrifices, just as they would eat the gazelle and the deer (clean animals that were not used for sacrifices).

They could eat of the flesh of the flesh but the blood was to be poured out on the earth like water (Deut. 12:16). Everything was to be eaten before the LORD their God in the place He chose (Deut. 12:18). In all this, they were to take care that the Levite was not be neglected (Deut. 12:19). If the place where the LORD had chosen is too far from them, then they may kill and eat within their towns whenever they desire. “Religious rites could be carried out apart from the central sanctuary, provided certain requirements, such as the proper disposal of the blood, were carried out.” (CSB Notes). Again, the admonition is made that the blood should not be eaten as it was the life and was to be poured out on the earth like water (Deut. 12:24). When sacrifices were made, the blood was to be poured out on the altar of the LORD their God, but they may eat of the flesh (Deut. 12:27). They were to be careful to what the LORD commanded, what was good and right in the sight of the LORD their God (Deut. 12:28).

When the LORD gave the people the land to dispossess, they were to take care as not to become ensnared to follow them (Deut. 12:29-30). After the gods were destroyed, they were not to inquire about them, asking how the nations had served their gods (Deut. 12:30). “The residual effects of the wicked nations of Canaan would be so powerful that even after their expulsion from the land, the Israelites would be tempted to inquire about their gods. The human heart is fickle, always in danger of yielding to a downward pull (Jr 17:9).“ (CSB Notes). They were not to worship the LORD in this way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates were done by these nations (Deut. 12:31). The chapter concludes with a final admonition for the people to be careful and do as the LORD commanded (Deut. 12:32).

Application

The people were not only to destroy the gods of the nations of whom they would dispossess but also never to inquire of how such gods were served. By this we see that God knows well the nature of the human heart, susceptible in all manner of sinful inclination. We can think that we possess in ourselves the ability resist temptation, but this is pride and spiritual immaturity. The wise humbly acknowledge their own weakness, choosing instead a firm stance of avoidance.

Galatians 3

Observation & Interpretation

A good portion of Paul’s attention in this chapter focus on the law, the promise and faith. In Gal. 3:23, he says that before faith came, God’s people were held captive under the law. Paul describes the law in Gal. 3:24 as the “guardian” of God’s people until Christ came. But now that faith had come, there was no longer any need for the law as a guardian (Gal. 3:24).

Application

As New Testament believers, we follow the law not in order to be saved but as an overflow of our faith in Christ, to joyfully abide in Him as our Lord and Savior. It seems important to underscore how Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The law was not completely eradicated in the coming of Christ but its role as guardian is no longer needed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are omniscient in all Your ways. You are perfect wisdom and how awesome are You to provide Your Word by which we can seek to avoid sin and live to honor and glorify You. Father, thank You that by Your Son and the work of Your Spirit we are free to live in obedience to You.

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