Deuteronomy 14:28-29

The placement here is significant because it comes just before instructions for the year of release. It is separated only by the translators’ insertion of a chapter break. This means that the third year is first mentioned in the context of the sabbatical cycle, which was already outlined in Exodus and Leviticus. So, if we were to read the two passages without the chapter break, first we would read the instructions for the third year, and then the instructions for the seventh year. The context gives us a linkage.

Notice also that, in verse 28, the word “every” is in italics, which means it is not in the original Hebrew. Young’s Literal Translation renders it simply, “At the end of three years.”

The phrase, “at the end of three years” does not mean after the third year, but rather in means, “in the third year.” The third year is the end of the span of time. The third year is the end of three years. So, these instructions were to take place throughout the entire year.

Both verses mention, “your gates.” “Gates” is not incorrect, but most translations instead use, “your towns” or “villages” or “settlements.” In other words, the gates are symbolic of the border of the community, and thus the community itself, rather than family property.

In application, these instructions indicate that each family would set aside the third tithe in whatever storage they had, and from which they would distribute the third tithe, but there was also a common storehouse into which all the tithes for the poor could be gathered.

So, for us, it could indicate that all of what has been set aside for third tithe should be out of our personal possession by the end of the third tithe year, but it could still be “stored,” as it were, in a community store, such as the church or a church program dedicated to this. But our individual responsibility would then be fulfilled. And I will hasten quickly to add that, again, this is not church policy, but just one way to understand these instructions.

It is also worth noting some of the similarities between the third tithe and the year of release. Everything that grew by itself in the seventh year was designated for the poor, and all debts were released, as well as the bondservants. And the third tithe was also for those in need. So, both ordinances were part of God’s safety net so there was not destitution.

The wording is slightly different, but it is talking about the same tithe. This time, God calls the designated time, “the third year—the year of tithing.” If you look in an interlinear, you will see the definite article before the word third, which means it is talking about a specific third year. In fact, it has two definite articles. The Hebrew literally says, “the the third year.” It is the same way the sabbatical year is referred to in the Hebrew—it says, “the the seventh year.” That sounds unusual to us, but it is a way of adding emphasis.

God gave the Israelites a common third tithe schedule. Just like the weekly and annual Sabbaths and the year of release, the third tithe was kept as a nation. Everybody shared in this experience of sacrificing to provide for those in need, just as God had the whole nation worship together on the holy days, and do things like read Deuteronomy at the Feast during the year of release. He wanted the nation to do these things at the same time as part of being in alignment with Him. A shared experience within a community tends to draw people closer together, given that everyone has the right focus and attitude.

Just to reiterate, I am not saying that it must be this way for the church, only that this is what was done in Israel, and these are things for us to consider.

The placement of these instructions is significant. Remember that Deuteronomy means “second law.” … . . .