Dt. 26:1-11 second cut

 

1) NIB (479) notes that this forms a frame of legal material with chapter 12, with their shared emphasis on worship. Dennis Olson (Dt. and the Death of Moses (115) links it to the  sacrifice of bounty in ch. 14. he sees it as part of the legal expansions of the meaning of the Decalogue. So, here, sharing helps to prevent coveting of goods.

2) Back in the dark ages, we were taught that his includes an early credal statement. Apparently, more support now exists for a later, post-exilic composition.

3) It starts with a good example of a thanksgiving offering as sacrifice. It is a decisive reminder that God is king, that the land is God's not ours. We hold it in trust, as Jefferson said, the land belongs in usufruct to the living, meaning that the fruits of it, not the land itself were ours.

4) The credal statement is noteworthy for its humble opening, but rooted in history, or at least historical memory.

5) God is a god of "all good gifts.' Further, while this God is enthroned int he heavens, the divine presence is also clear in the central sanctuary. God is not limited to the place of worship, but God is intensely sensed and present there.

6) If brave, one could make a recitation of the hand of God in American history.

7) Some folks make a lot out of the omission of the Sinai covenant in the creed,but a creed can;t have everything, can it?

8) At a different level, this is a bot the move from small to large, from slavery to freedom, and the election of Israel.

9) Notice the alien is part of the ceremony of thanksgiving.