Deuteronomy 12:23

Though it might not be sacrificed, nor eaten as an eucharistic feast at Jerusalem, it might be eaten as common food in their own houses: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike; such as were ceremonially unclean, by the touch of a dead body or the like, might partake of it with those that were clean, no difference was to be made: as the roebuck and as the hart; which were clean creatures, and used for food, though not for sacrifice; see Deuteronomy 12:15. Deuteronomy 15:23 Ver. 23. Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof,.... Of the firstling: thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water; See Gill on "Deuteronomy 12:16", See Gill on "Deuteronomy 12:23", See Gill on "Deuteronomy 12:24". John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.

12:5-32 The command to bring ALL the sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle, was now explained with reference to the promised land. As to moral service, then, as now, men might pray and worship every where, as they did in their synagogues. The place which God would choose, is said to be the place where he would put his name. It was to be his habitation, where, as King of Israel, he would be found by all who reverently sought him. Now, under the gospel, we have no temple or altar that sanctifies the gift but Christ only: and as to the places of worship, the prophets foretold that in every place the spiritual incense should be offered, Mal 1:11. Our Saviour declared, that those are accepted as true worshippers, who worship God in sincerity and truth, without regard either to this mountain or Jerusalem, Joh 4:21. And a devout Israelite might honour God, keep up communion with him, and obtain mercy from him, though he had no opportunity of bringing a sacrifice to his altar. Work for God should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness. Even children and servants must rejoice before God; the services of religion are to be a pleasure, and not a task or drudgery. It is the duty of people to be kind to their ministers, who teach them well, and set them good examples. As long as we live, we need their assistance, till we come to that world where ordinances will not be needed. Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are commanded to do all to the glory of God.

And we must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the Father through him. They must not even inquire into the modes and forms of idolatrous worship. What good would it do them to know those depths of Satan? And our inward satisfaction will be more and more, as we abound in love and good works, which spring from faith and the in-dwelling Spirit of Christ.

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood,.... This is repeated again, that they might be careful to observe the law concerning that: for the blood is the life: which is the reason given for the prohibition of it; see Gill on Leviticus 17:11, and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh: by which it seems that the meaning of the law was, that the blood might not be eaten in or with the flesh, but to be let out of it, or the fish not to be eaten raw, but dressed; for there were various laws about eating of blood, which are differently expressed.

22-28. Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so shalt thou eat them, &c.—Game when procured in the wilderness had not been required to be brought to the door of the tabernacle. The people were now to be as free in the killing of domestic cattle as of wild animals. The permission to hunt and use venison for food was doubtless a great boon to the Israelites, not only in the wilderness, but on their settlement in Canaan, as the mountainous ranges of Lebanon, Carmel, and Gilead, on which deer abounded in vast numbers, would thus furnish them with a plentiful and luxuriant repast.

1 . Hear, O Israel ] Deuteronomy 6:4 . thou art to pass over Jordan this day ] Similarly Deuteronomy 30:18 (and cp. Deuteronomy 2:18 ), Sg.; Deuteronomy 4:14 ; Deuteronomy 4:26 ; Deuteronomy 11:31 ; Deuteronomy 31:13 , Pl., but apparently editorial. to possess ] or dispossess . Deuteronomy 2:12 ; Deuteronomy 2:21 f., Deuteronomy 11:23 , Deuteronomy 12:2 ; Deuteronomy 12:29 , Deuteronomy 18:14 , Deuteronomy 19:1 , Deuteronomy 31:3 , with personal object as here. For another form of same vb. see on Deuteronomy 4:38 . nations greater and mightier than thyself ] So Deuteronomy 4:38 also Sg.; Deuteronomy 11:23 , Pl.: cp. Joshua 23:9 . cities … fenced , etc.] See on Deuteronomy 1:28 .