Deuteronomy 15:20

Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.

Study Bible

Each year
This phrase indicates a recurring, annual event, emphasizing the regularity and importance of the practice. In the context of ancient Israel, annual feasts and sacrifices were central to religious life, serving as reminders of God's provision and covenant with His people. The yearly cycle of festivals, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, structured the Israelites' worship and community life.

you and your household
The inclusion of the household underscores the communal aspect of worship in Israelite society. Worship was not just an individual act but involved the family unit, reflecting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israel. This communal participation highlights the importance of teaching and passing down faith traditions within the family, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments to their children.

are to eat it
The act of eating signifies fellowship and communion with God. In the sacrificial system, certain offerings were consumed by the worshippers, symbolizing their participation in the covenant relationship with God. This practice foreshadows the New Testament concept of communion, where believers partake in the Lord's Supper, remembering Christ's sacrifice and celebrating their unity with Him and each other.

before the LORD your God
This phrase indicates the presence of God as central to the act of worship. Worship in ancient Israel was conducted with an acute awareness of God's holiness and presence. The phrase "before the LORD" signifies that the act is done in reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to live their lives as a continual act of worship before God (Romans 12:1).

in the place the LORD will choose
This refers to the centralization of worship in a specific location, which would later be identified as Jerusalem, where the Temple was built. The choice of a specific place for worship underscores the unity and identity of Israel as God's chosen people. It also points to the future establishment of the Temple, which becomes a type of Christ, who is the ultimate dwelling place of God among men (John 2:19-21). The centralization of worship prefigures the gathering of all believers in the heavenly Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who provides the laws and chooses the place of worship.

4. The Place the LORD Will Choose
Refers to the central place of worship, which would later be established in Jerusalem.

5. The Household
The family unit, which plays a central role in the observance of God's commandments.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Community Worship
God emphasizes the communal aspect of worship, highlighting the importance of gathering together as a family and community to honor Him.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The command to eat in the place God chooses teaches us the importance of obedience and reverence for God's specific instructions.

Remembrance and Celebration
The annual observance serves as a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness, encouraging us to regularly remember and celebrate His goodness.

Centrality of God's Presence
Worship is centered around God's presence, reminding us that our lives should be oriented towards Him and His chosen place of worship.

Family as a Unit of Worship
The inclusion of the household underscores the role of the family in spiritual practices, encouraging families to worship and grow in faith together.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command to eat before the LORD each year reflect the importance of community in worship?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of gathering in a place God chooses to our modern worship practices?

3. How does the concept of remembrance in Deuteronomy 15:20 connect to the observance of the Lord's Supper in the New Testament?

4. What role does the family play in your personal worship, and how can you strengthen this aspect in your spiritual life?

5. How can the practice of annual remembrance and celebration of God's provision be incorporated into your life today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 12
The Passover meal, which also involves eating in a specific manner and place, highlighting the importance of communal worship and remembrance.

Leviticus 23
The Feasts of the LORD, which include instructions for communal meals and celebrations before God.

1 Samuel 1
Hannah and Elkanah's annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, illustrating the practice of worshiping at the place God chooses.

Psalm 122
A song of ascents, expressing joy in going to the house of the LORD, which connects to the communal aspect of worship.

Hebrews 10
Encouragement to not forsake assembling together, drawing a parallel to the communal worship commanded in Deuteronomy.