Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 26:2

THe first of all] By this Ceremony they acknowledged that they received the Land of Canaan as a free gift of God: this oblation was yearely, and the time of the yeare when it was made was the feast of Tabernacles, Num. 18. vers. 12. See Leviticus 23:19.

to place his Name] To be called upon, served and worshipped: See Annot. on Chap. 16. 2.

Deuteronomy 26:5

A Syrian] Meaning Jacob, who lived twenty yeares in Syria with Laban, who was the sonne of Bethuel the Syrian, Gen. 28. vers. 5.

ready to perish] By the deadly hate of his brother Esau purposing to kill him, Genesis 27. vers. 41. and his approaching towards him with foure hundreth men in an hostile manner, Genesis 33. vers. 1. and his hard service unto Laban, wherein he was consumed by drought in the day, and frost in the night, Genesis 31. vers. 40. and lastly, ready to perish by the famine in Canaan, whence he removeth into Egypt for necessary sustenance to preserve his life, Genesis 42:1-2, &c.

Deuteronomy 26:7

when we cried] Alledging the promises made to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 26:9

floweth with] See Annot. on Exod. 3. 5: 8.

Deuteronomy 26:10

thou shalt set] Thou shalt bring it neere the place where it shall be set, but the Priest shall take it out of thy hand and place it, vers. 4.

it] That is, the basket where the first-fruits are put, vers. 2.

before the Lord] That is, before the Altar of the Lord, 5: 4.

Deuteronomy 26:11

rejoyce] See Chap. 12. vers. 7.

Deuteronomy 26:12

yeare of tithing] To wit, the third yeare. There was a three-fold tithe, one was that which out of the whole was taken for allowance of the Levites; and out of that which remained there was another tithe taken for the owners to eate with thankesgiving in the place where the Sanctuary was situate; as in the Citie of Shiloh when the Tabernacle stood there, and in Jerusalem where the Temple was built; and of the third tithe, see Annot. in Chap. 14. 28. From this addition of tithe more then was other yeares (for in them there was but a double tithe, in this a third tithe besides the other two) it was called the yeare of tithing.

the third yeare] See Deuteronomy 14. vers. 28.

Deuteronomy 26:13

before the Lord] That is, sincerely, as in his presence without all guile or hypocrisie.

Deuteronomy 26:14

my mourning] That is, being ceremonially uncleane by mourning for, and buriall of the dead; for none such might eate thereof, Levit. 7. vers. 20. See Hosea 9:4. It was to be eaten with rejoycing as in manner of feasting, Deut. 16. vers. 11. 15. See Annot. on verse the twelfth of this Chapter, and Chap. 28. vers. 47.

for any uncleane] Common or profane use, or for any uncleane person to eate thereof.

for the dead] To furnish the funerall of the dead, or the sacrifice offered to dumbe and dead Idols, Psal. 106. vers. 28.

according to all] As farre as sinfull nature would suffer; for else as David and Paul say, there is not one just, Psal. 14. vers. 3. Romans 3. vers. 10.

Deuteronomy 26:17

Thou hast avouched] The Covenant betwixt God and his people consists of mutuall conditions; on the peoples part the conditions are faith, whereby they embrace him, and relye upon him as their God; and obedience to his commandements as their Law-maker and Governor.

Deuteronomy 26:18

the Lord hath avouched] On Gods part the conditions are to take them for his peculiar people; which implyeth both his protection of them, and provision for them, both for this life and the next.