Deuteronomy 14

What is meant by the ‘tithe’? Does this represent a fixed amount? Why is it here tied to agricultural practice?

If choose this passage, don’t jump into the different meanings of tithe with reference to Numbers and Leviticus, focus on what Deuteronomy is aiming at.

Herd is singular and collective. First born could be first birth from the herd or first from each animal ever or first from each animal, each year (!)

Ugaritic is similar to ancient pre-Israelite Canaan.

Have Ugaritic text that uses the same verb to indicate 'costly sacrifice'.

Contrast the tax expected by a human covenant king that you never see again, with the covenant king Yahweh

Fear or Revere

celebratory

community building

get to know God at least in part

can also mean 'I’m afraid'

Different words for terror or dread

What was to be done with the tithe here? What reason is given for this?

Building a community within worship, not as an add on. -

What arrangements were made for those for whom taking agricultural produce to the sanctuary was too difficult because of their distance from it? How were these people to use the money that they brought?

Why is a note about the Levites included at this point?

What variation was introduced in the third year? How does this relate to wider patterns of giving?

'all the tithe' rather than 'full' to avoid implication of a specific amount.

Why is particular attention given to the groups mentioned here? How will Yahweh respond to this?

How does this text address contemporary patterns of giving? In particular, what goals does it indicate should apply to giving in worship?

Harvest then was annual but today our salary tends to come monthly

Worship is not about how it makes us feel but building community, celebration, growing to know God