26:2 {a} That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put [it] in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to {b} place his name there.(a) By this ceremony they acknowledged that they received the land of Canaan as a free gift from God.(b) To be called upon, served and worshipped spiritually, De 12:5. read more
26:5 And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A {c} Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, {d} and populous:(c) Meaning, Jacob, who served 20 years in Syria.(d) Only by God’s mercy, and not by their father’s deserving. read more
FIRSTFRUITS AND TITHES (vs.1-15) In Amalek we have seen that which God refuses. Now a lovely positive contrast is seen in that which God accepts. The Lord giving Israel their promised land, and He would bless the fruits of their labors, the increase being great, depending on their obedience to Him. Of this increase they were to bring a basket of the first of all the produce the land yielded, and go to the place the Lord chose to put His name (vs.1-2). This was Jerusalem. They might feel that... read more
MORE REGULATIONS PUBLIC PRIVILEGES (Deuteronomy 23:1-9 ) The privileges referred to here are doubtless honors in the state and perhaps, in the case of foreigners, incorporation with Israel by marriage. Eunuchs and bastards were denied these privileges (Deuteronomy 23:1-2 ), and also members of what Gentile nations (Deuteronomy 23:3 )? What caused the latter prohibition (Deuteronomy 23:4-6 )? Such passages as Nehemiah 13:1 ; Ruth 4:10 ; and 2 Kings 10:2 show that there were some exceptions... read more
CONTENTS As the man of GOD is drawing to a conclusion on the subject of laws, in this chapter he points out the form of words to be used in offering the basket of first-fruits; and the prayer with which the offering is to be brought; and then follows up both, with reminding the people once more, in whose name and authority he had acted, in the delivery of the commandments. read more
There seems to have been a double design in this precept. In presenting the first of everything to the LORD, we not only acknowledge the right of his sovereignty, but we deny ourselves. The prophet Micah saith, "My soul desired the first ripe fruit." Micah 7:1 . The giving that to GOD, which the heart seems most itself to desire, is therefore a blessed proof of self-denial. But beside these things, is there not an eye to JESUS in this appointment? Is he not expressly called the first fruits by... read more
Nothing could be more proper, than that every Israelite with his own mouth, should confess that the LORD had fulfilled his promise, in bringing him to the land he had said. Reader! and will not every true Israelite of the spiritual seed of JESUS say this, when he cometh to that rest, which remaineth for the people of GOD? Hebrews 4:9 . read more
JESUS is both our priest, and altar, and offering. It is he which sanctifieth all the gifts of his people. read more
Jacob was in fact a Syrian, for he lived many years in Padanaram. And Laban, his father-in-law, was a Syrian, consequently his daughters sprung from thence. It is good to remind the spiritual Israel of the hole of the pit, whence they were digged. Isaiah 51:2 . read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Deuteronomy 26:1-19
22. Firstfruits and Prayer CHAPTER 26 1. The basket of first-fruits, confession and rejoicing (Deuteronomy 26:1-11 ) 2. Obedience yielded and prayer (Deuteronomy 26:12-15 ) 3. Jehovah acknowledges His people (Deuteronomy 26:16-19 ) The possession of the land is anticipated and a most beautiful ceremony is appointed for confession and worship in the place the Lord chose to place His Name there. The first of all the fruit of the land was to be gathered and put in a basket. This basket was... read more