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Deuteronomy 16:18
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16 a“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and bthey shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.  
17 Every man shall give as he is able, aaccording to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.  

Justice Must Be Administered

18 “You shall appoint ajudges and officers in all your1 gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.  
19 aYou shall not pervert justice; byou shall not show partiality, cnor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and2 twists the words of the righteous.  
20 You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may alive and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you.  
21 a“You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a1 wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the Lord your God.  
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Deuteronomy 16:17   Deuteronomy 16:19 >>


Deuteronomy 16:1-22

The yearly feasts. (1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden. (18-22)

Verses 1-17 The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and the price it cost the Redeemer; that gratitude and joy in the Lord may be mingled with sorrow for sin, and patience under the tribulations in his way to the kingdom of heaven. They must rejoice in their receivings from God, and in their returns of service and sacrifice to him; our duty must be our delight, as well as our enjoyment. If those who were under the law must rejoice before God, much more we that are under the grace of the gospel; which makes it our duty to rejoice evermore, to rejoice in the Lord always. When we rejoice in God ourselves, we should do what we can to assist others also to rejoice in him, by comforting the mourners, and supplying those who are in want. All who make God their joy, may rejoice in hope, for He is faithful that has promised.

Verses 18-22 Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spirit, present every where. Alas! even in gospel days, and under a better dispensation, established upon better promises, there is a tendency to set up idols, under one form or another, in the human heart.


 
<< Deuteronomy 16:17   Deuteronomy 16:19 >>

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