Deuteronomy 26 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 26 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:

• THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE PROMISED LAND AND THE THIRD YEAR TITHE (26:1-19):

  • When the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land and made it their home, they were to bring a basket of the first fruits of their harvest to the priests at God’s appointed place of worship.

  • When the basket was given to the priests, the offeror was to declare God’s faithfulness in giving His people the land of Canaan.

  • The basket was taken by the priest and laid at the altar.

  • When this was complete, the offeror was to rehearse the history of the Israelite nation and acknowledge God’s hand in leading them from Egypt to the Promised Land.

  • In the third year, the Israelites were told to bring the tithes of their produce into their towns and share them with the Levites, sojourners, orphans, widows, and the poor (14:27-29).

  • After doing this, they were to declare before the Lord that they had kept His instructions and ask Him to bless the ground where their crops grew.

  • If the Israelites would keep these instructions and promise to follow God faithfully, He promised to bless their land, give them prosperity, and to elevate them above other nations.  

APPLICATION:

• Don’t forget to thank God and worship Him for His guidance in the past.  

• Have you ever taken a moment to rehearse your life and thank God for all the times He helped you?

• Take some time today to reminisce on your life and remember God’s kindnesses to you. Then speak to Him and thank Him for each of those memories.

• “And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house...” (26:11).