What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 26:3? to the priest who is serving at that time When the Israelite brought his firstfruits, he was instructed to present them “to the priest who is serving at that time.” This shows that: • God provides an ongoing, living priesthood; the worshiper doesn’t wait for a favorite leader but honors whoever currently stands in office (Deuteronomy 17:9; 18:5). • The priest serves as the divinely appointed mediator—pointing ahead to “Jesus the Son of God, our great High Priest” who continually ministers for us (Hebrews 4:14). • Worship is always personal yet never isolated; it takes place within God-given order (Numbers 18:8; Malachi 2:7). and say to him The bringer was not silent; he spoke. A verbal confession was essential: • Words make faith public (“With the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:10). • Declaring truth in front of leadership adds accountability (Deuteronomy 26:5-10 continues the spoken declaration). • Testimony encourages others—just as Psalm 107:2 invites, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” I declare today to the LORD your God Although addressed to the priest, the statement is directed to the Lord Himself. The worshiper: • Acknowledges God’s ownership—“the LORD your God” underscores covenant relationship (Exodus 19:5-6). • Recognizes the present moment; “today” turns abstract truth into active obedience (Joshua 24:15). • Honors God openly, fulfilling “Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father” (Matthew 10:32). that I have entered the land The speaker personally affirms, “I’m standing in the promise!” • Every step in Canaan validated God’s faithfulness (Joshua 23:14; Nehemiah 9:8). • Possession follows promise—faith responds by moving in (Numbers 33:53). • The confession turns blessing into grateful worship rather than casual entitlement. that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us The declaration ends by linking present blessing to ancient oath. It highlights: • Continuity—what God pledged to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is now reality (Genesis 12:7; 26:3). • God’s unbreakable reliability—“Since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (Hebrews 6:13-18). • Corporate identity—individual experience is woven into the story of the whole people (Exodus 13:5; Deuteronomy 1:8). summary Deuteronomy 26:3 instructs the worshiper to bring firstfruits to the active priest, verbally confess before him yet ultimately to the Lord, celebrate personal entry into the promised land, and acknowledge that the experience rests on God’s ancient, unwavering oath to the patriarchs. The verse models ordered worship, audible testimony, grateful recognition of fulfilled promise, and confidence in the covenant-keeping character of God. |
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