Deuteronomy 12 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 12 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

OUTLINE:

• GOD’S CHOSEN PLACE OF WORSHIP (12:1-28):

  • When the Israelites entered Canaan, they were to tear down all the pagan holy places.

  • The true God was not to be worshiped like the pagan Gods.

  • God would appoint a central place of worship once the Israelites entered the Promised Land.

  • All sacrifices and offerings would be brought to God’s appointed place.

  • While the Israelites were in the wilderness, God gave them some liberty in the way they offered their sacrifices and tithes, but in Canaan everything would be centralized.

  • In Canaan, the people would be allowed to kill an animal for meat without bringing it to the priests (compare Lev 17:3-4), but they were still prohibited from eating blood.

• ISRAEL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH IDOLATERS (12:29-32):

  • Moses warned Israel not to engage with the idol worshiping nations west of Jordan.

  • They were not to learn about their religious practices with the intent of adapting them into the worship of the true God.

  • The nations that inhabited Canaan before the Israelites were involved in all kinds of things the Lord considered abominations, including burning their children as sacrifices to idols.  

APPLICATION:

• Isn’t it interesting that murdering innocent children in the name of worshiping a god has been repeated throughout history.

• While we don’t worship physical idols in our culture, we kill the innocent so we can worship our god, ourselves, and so we can continue living the lifestyles we view as preferable.

• Are we any different than the pagan nations?