Deuteronomy 16:5
You are not to sacrifice the Passover animal in any of the towns that the LORD your God is giving you.
You are not to sacrifice the Passover animal
This phrase begins with a direct command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "sacrifice" is זָבַח (zabach), which means to slaughter for a sacrifice. This word is often used in the context of offering something valuable to God, signifying the act of worship and reverence. The "Passover animal" refers to the lamb or goat that was to be sacrificed during the Passover, a pivotal event in Israel's history commemorating their deliverance from Egypt. This sacrifice is not just a ritual but a profound act of remembrance and gratitude for God's salvation.

in any of the towns
The phrase "in any of the towns" indicates a restriction on where the Passover sacrifice could be made. The Hebrew word for "towns" is שַׁעַר (sha'ar), meaning gate or city. This implies that the Israelites were not to perform this sacred act in just any location within their settlements. The specificity of location underscores the sanctity and communal nature of the Passover, which was not to be diluted by individual or local practices.

that the LORD your God is giving you
This phrase highlights the divine provision and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew name for God here is יְהוָה (YHWH), often rendered as "LORD" in English translations, signifying the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The phrase "is giving you" reflects the ongoing gift of the Promised Land, a fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the Israelites' dependence on Him for their inheritance and sustenance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving these instructions as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is giving these commands to ensure proper worship and remembrance.

4. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, involving the sacrifice of a lamb.

5. The Promised Land
The land God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where these laws are to be observed.
Teaching Points
Centralized Worship
The command to sacrifice the Passover only at a designated place underscores the importance of unity and centralization in worship. This principle can be applied today by valuing communal worship and the gathering of believers.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were instructed to follow God's specific guidelines for worship. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's Word and instructions in our lives.

Remembrance and Celebration
Passover was a time to remember God's deliverance. Similarly, Christians are called to remember Christ's sacrifice through practices like communion, which fosters gratitude and reflection.

Holiness and Reverence
The requirement for a specific place for sacrifices highlights the need for reverence in worship. We should approach God with a sense of holiness and respect in our worship practices.
Bible Study Questions
1. Why do you think God required the Passover sacrifice to be made only at a specific location, and how does this relate to the concept of unity in worship today?

2. How can the principle of centralized worship be applied in modern church settings, and what are the benefits of gathering together as a community of believers?

3. In what ways does the observance of Passover in the Old Testament parallel the Christian practice of communion, and how can this enhance our understanding of Christ's sacrifice?

4. How does the requirement for a specific place of sacrifice in Deuteronomy 16:5 reflect the broader biblical theme of holiness, and how can we apply this to our personal worship practices?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to follow specific instructions from God. How did obedience impact your spiritual journey, and what lessons can you draw from this experience in light of Deuteronomy 16:5?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
Provides the original instructions for the Passover, establishing its significance and the requirement for a central place of worship.

Leviticus 17
Discusses the centralization of sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of offering sacrifices only at the designated place.

2 Chronicles 30
Describes King Hezekiah's efforts to restore proper Passover observance, highlighting the importance of centralized worship.

John 2
Jesus' cleansing of the temple underscores the significance of maintaining the sanctity of worship spaces.
Conditions of WorshipJ. Parker, D. D.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Jewish Commemorative FeastsE. White.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover a Memorial and a ProphecyD. Davies Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Passover, a Memorial of DeliveranceR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsW. Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The Yearly FestivalsWalter Roberts, M. A.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Unleavened BreadS. A. Blackwood.Deuteronomy 16:1-8
The PassoverJ. Orr Deuteronomy 16:1-9
People
Levites, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Able, Allowed, Death, Gates, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Mayest, Offer, Offering, Passover, Passover-offering, Sacrifice, Town, Towns, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 16:5

     5586   town

Deuteronomy 16:1-6

     4945   history

Deuteronomy 16:1-8

     4438   eating
     7394   memorial
     8467   reminders

Deuteronomy 16:5-7

     5268   cooking

Library
The Age of the Apostles (Ad 33-100)
The beginning of the Christian Church is reckoned from the great day on which the Holy Ghost came down, according as our Lord had promised to His Apostles. At that time, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," were gathered together at Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks), which was one of the three holy seasons at which God required His people to appear before Him in the place which He had chosen (Deuteronomy xvi. 16). Many of these devout men there converted
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Gluttony?
Objection 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to gluttony, to wit, "unseemly joy, scurrility, uncleanness, loquaciousness, and dullness of mind as regards the understanding." For unseemly joy results from every sin, according to Prov. 2:14, "Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things." Likewise dullness of mind is associated with every sin, according to Prov. 14:22, "They err that work evil." Therefore they are unfittingly reckoned to be daughters
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Pride Should be Reckoned a Capital vice?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride should be reckoned a capital vice, since Isidore [*Comment. in Deut. xvi] and Cassian [*De Inst. Caenob. v, 1: Collat. v, 2] number pride among the capital vices. Objection 2: Further, pride is apparently the same as vainglory, since both covet excellence. Now vainglory is reckoned a capital vice. Therefore pride also should be reckoned a capital vice. Objection 3: Further, Augustine says (De Virginit. xxxi) that "pride begets envy, nor is it ever without this
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Passing and the Permanent
'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.'--ISAIAH liv, 10.-- There is something of music in the very sound of these words. The stately march of the grand English translation lends itself with wonderful beauty to the melody of Isaiah's words. But the thought that lies below them, sweeping as it does through the whole creation, and parting all things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king,
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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