Deuteronomy12: Destroying Idolatrous Altars

Introduction: Deuteronomy 12 brings forth potent wisdom that is not only applicable to the Israelites of old but also provides interpretation and guidance for modern-day followers. The chapter presents the sovereign will of God on worship and sacrifices, and their proper places. As we delve into the profound wisdom of this chapter, we’ll cross-reference with related passages from the entire Bible to establish a comprehensive understanding.

I. Deuteronomy 12:1-4: Commandment to Destroy Idolatrous Altars
The chapter begins with God commanding the Israelites to demolish all places where the nations they conquer worship their gods (12:2). God also instructs them to “Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn their Asherah poles”(12:3). The command to destroy pagan religious symbols and places of worship indicates God’s hate for idolatry, which is reiterated in Exodus 20:4-5 where God warns against making or worshipping idols. This section reinforces the concept of God’s sovereignty and intolerance for idolatry.

II. Deuteronomy 12:5-7: The Designated Place of Worship
God instructs the Israelites to seek a place where He would put His name to dwell (12:5). They were to bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, and tithes to this place (12:6). This place is seen as a place of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord (12:7). This mirrors Psalm 26:8 where David states, “I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.” It aligns with the New Testament teaching in John 4:21-24, where Jesus emphasizes worshipping in spirit and truth, not confined to a specific location.

III. Deuteronomy 12:8-14: Centralization of Worship
God prohibits the Israelites from worshipping as they wish (12:8). Instead, they were to worship only at the place God chooses (12:11). This aligns with the centralization of worship in Jerusalem as seen in 2 Chronicles 6:6, where God chose Jerusalem for His name to dwell. This section underscores the principle that true worship should align with God’s instructions, not personal preferences, a theme echoed in Matthew 15:9 where Jesus criticizes people who honor God with their lips but their heart is far from Him.

IV. Deuteronomy 12:15-28: Instruction on Eating Meat and Blood Prohibition
God allows the Israelites to slaughter and eat meat (12:15), but prohibits them from consuming blood (12:23). This prohibition is consistent throughout the Bible, as seen in Leviticus 17:10-14, where eating blood is forbidden, and in Acts 15:20, where the apostles admonish the gentile believers to abstain from consuming blood.

V. Deuteronomy 12:29-32: Warning Against Adopting Pagan Practices
God warns the Israelites not to inquire about other gods (12:30) and commands them not to worship Him in the way pagans worship their gods (12:31). This re-emphasizes the teachings from Exodus 23:24, prohibiting the worship of foreign gods and Romans 12:2, advocating for not conforming to worldly patterns.

Conclusion: Deuteronomy 12 provides profound wisdom on the worship of God. It teaches the eradication of idolatry, the centralization of worship, prohibition of blood consumption, and refraining from pagan practices. The beauty of these teachings is their timeless relevance that bridges the Old and New Testaments, giving believers a framework for understanding and practicing their faith.