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enjoy, but be considerate
Deuteronomy 12:15 “But whenever you want, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your city gates, according to the empowerment Yahveh your God has given you. Those who are pure or contaminated may eat it, as they would a gazelle or deer,
Deuteronomy 12:16 but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the land like water.
Deuteronomy 12:17 Within your city gates you may not eat the tenth of your grain, new wine, or fresh oil; the firstborn of your herd or flock; any of your solemn pledge offerings that you pledge; your spontaneous voluntary offerings; or your personal contributions.
Deuteronomy 12:18 You are to eat them in the presence of Yahveh your God at the place Yahveh your God chooses – you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite who is within your city gates. Enjoy the face of Yahveh your God in everything you do,
Deuteronomy 12:19 and be careful or else you will neglect the Levite, as long as you live in your land.
enjoy, but be considerate
The gist of these instructions seems to be that the Israelites are free to eat whatever they want as long as they are considerate of others, even the animals they kill to eat.
- Any clean animal is okay, as long as they do not eat its blood.
- They can eat their tithe meals, as long as it’s done together at the tabernacle.
- Whenever they eat, they should be careful that Levites are also provided for.
God wants us to enjoy our lives, and his restrictions on us are not intended to stifle that enjoyment, but to ensure that everyone shares it.
Thank you Lord for commanding your people to be considerate.
