Page 112 - Pentateuch

The focus is more positive than negative. Yes, they were not to worship the Lord following the methods of
the nations; instead were to worship him in a specific place that he would choose. His name would be
placed on his dwelling. Sacrifices would be offered only there. Notice how often mention is made of a
specific place and especially a “place God chooses to put his name” (12:4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 21, 26, 28).
Yahweh wanted to stamp out the worship of other gods. They used detestable practices in their worship,
like sacrificing their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Yahweh said, “NO! I am not like that. You
do not need to sacrifice to get my attention. I take the initiative and provide for you.”

Not until the NT is this prohibition
lifted. In conversation with a
woman of Samaria, Jesus spoke of
a “time coming when you will
worship the Father neither on this
mountain nor in Jerusalem (John
4:21). The location would no longer
be a problem and temptation. The
Father would be gathering to
himself people who worship “in
spirit and in truth” (4:23) because
the Holy Spirit would live in them
(4:14). Worshipers in OT times
were called to worship at the
tabernacle and then at the temple Fig. 79: Alternate worship site at Dan, 930 B.C.
to avoid the worship of idols and
the spirit beings behind those
idols.

The third commandment (13:1-14:27) is expanded in chapters 13 and 14. They contain examples of what it
means to misuse God’s name. Chapter 13 warns about false prophets. Their goal is to entice a person to
worship other gods (v. 2), and YHWH’s goal is to test his people to make them stronger (v. 3). The people
must choose God every time, even if the false teaching comes from brother or son or wife or closest friend
(v. 6). The same is required when an entire town has turned from God. It is to be destroyed (v. 15-16).
Claiming to know God and to love God but to allow false prophets to lead people away from him calls into
question one’s true love of God.

The next commands are about funeral practices (14:1-2) and animals a person may eat (14:3-21). We have
already read in Leviticus about clean and unclean animals. We might scratch our heads about why the laws
are placed here. We might also wonder why these animals are called “detestable” (14:3). The word is
strong. In Deuteronomy, it is used most often of a Canaanite worship practice (7:25-26; 13:14; 18:12; 20:18;
22:5; 23:18; 27:15; 32:16). Due to the context in a section on “misuse of the name of God,” we should
probably understand a similar thought here. Clean and unclean foods are connected with worshipping
other gods. Similarly, we would anticipate an idolatrous background to the practice of cutting oneself or
shaving the front of one’s head for the dead (14:1). A believer in YHWH is, in effect, taking God’s name in
vain if he adopts these practices. They were practices identified with other gods.

The fourth commandment is further illustrated in 14:22-16:17 with instructions on the Sabbath. Most of
these have been recorded in other sections: tithing, the Sabbath year, firstborn animals, and the major
festivals (Passover, Festival of Weeks, and Festival of Tabernacles). The emphasis here is on trusting or
resting in Yahweh.

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