October 12, 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Daily Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 26 – Gratitude and Obedience – Living from God’s Hand
Firstfruits, Tithe, and the Confession of God’s Faithfulness
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Bible Text – Deuteronomy 26 (KJV)
1 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;
2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.
3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to give us.
4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God.
5 And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
7 And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
8 And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.
10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:
11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
13 Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
18 And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.
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Introduction
In Deuteronomy chapter 26, the people of Israel are reminded of two key acts of faith:
the offering of the firstfruits and the giving of the tithe.
Both are more than material gifts—they are spiritual confessions:
God has blessed us; therefore, we give back to Him the best we have.
The chapter concludes with a powerful renewal of the covenant between God and His people—
a solemn moment of dedication, remembrance, and promise.
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Commentary
1. Firstfruits – A Confession of God’s Grace (vv. 1–11)
Once Israel settles in the Promised Land, they are to dedicate the firstfruits of their harvest to God (v. 2).
Each person publicly confesses:
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“My father was a wandering Aramean…” – recalling Jacob’s humble beginnings and Israel’s slavery in Egypt.
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“The Lord brought us out…” – a declaration of deliverance and thanksgiving.
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“Now I bring the firstfruits…” – a joyful act of gratitude.
This ritual culminates in rejoicing before the Lord—a feast to be shared with the Levites and the foreigners (v. 11).
Giving is a response to grace, not a demand of law.
The offering of the firstfruits is not a tax, but an act of faith and trust.
2. The Tithe – Caring for the Needy (vv. 12–15)
In the third year, the tithe is to be devoted especially to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows—
those without land or income.
The giver makes a public confession:
they have obeyed all God’s commands, kept nothing back, and defiled nothing holy.
Then they ask for God’s blessing upon the land and His people.
God’s gifts are not meant to be hoarded but shared.
To love God means not to forget one’s neighbor.
3. Covenant Renewal – Identity as God’s Holy People (vv. 16–19)
The passage ends with a mutual declaration:
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Israel affirms: “You are our God; we will walk in Your ways.”
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God promises: “You are My people; I will lift you up and bless you.”
This is a moment of covenant renewal—a public act of devotion.
Obedience flows from relationship, not compulsion.
The goal is to be a holy people, set apart for God in the midst of the world.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 26 is a profound chapter of confession, remembrance, and dedication.
The outward acts (offerings and tithes) express an inner attitude:
gratitude, responsibility, and obedience.
Those who remember God’s deeds live differently—generously, mercifully, and humbly.
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Message for Us Today
Never forget where you came from—or who has led you.
Giving is a spiritual act, born from thankfulness, not obligation.
Sharing with the weak is true worship.
Obedience is not coercion, but an expression of love for God.
Even today, God calls us to live as His holy people—in the midst of everyday life.
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Reflection Questions
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What specific things in my life am I thankful to God for?
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How do I manage what God has entrusted to me—my possessions, time, and relationships?
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Am I willing not only to receive but also to give—cheerfully and trustingly?
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Do I live consciously as someone who belongs to God—visible and evident to others?
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October 12–18, 2025
BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
Weekly Reading from the Spirit of Prophecy
Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 33
From Sinai to Kadesh
Read online here
Introduction
Israel stands at a turning point: after almost a year at Mount Sinai—shaped by the giving of the Law, the establishment of worship, and the organization of the nation—the journey toward Canaan begins.
Yet the outward order contrasts sharply with the inner unrest.
The holiness of God demands order, purity, and obedience—but the people are tested by discontent, greed, jealousy, and doubt.
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Commentary
1. Divine Order as the Foundation (→ Numbers 1–4)
The tabernacle stands at the center of the camp—God’s presence is the heart of Israel.
Everything has its place: tribes, Levites, offices, duties—a divine structure.
Spiritually, this shows that whoever serves God must act with order and purity (cf. Deuteronomy 23:15).
2. The Challenge of Departure (→ Numbers 10)
Departure requires trust: the pillar of cloud gives the signal.
Moses prays at both the setting out and the resting of the camp—a model of spiritual leadership (Numbers 10:35–36).
Not everyone rejoices; some cling to the familiar—the Sinai becomes a deceptive “comfort zone.”
3. Discontent and Greed – The Poison in the Desert (→ Numbers 11)
The murmuring begins with the “mixed multitude”—discontent is contagious.
Though they have manna, they crave meat—not from need, but from greed.
God’s response is judgment: quails in abundance—but with deadly consequences (Numbers 11:33).
4. Leadership and Responsibility – Moses Under Pressure
Moses feels overwhelmed: “I cannot carry all these people alone” (Numbers 11:14).
God appoints seventy elders, shares His Spirit with them, and provides guidance—a model of team leadership with spiritual authority.
5. Jealousy in Spiritual Service (→ Numbers 12)
Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses—out of pride and envy.
God answers with judgment—leprosy as a visible sign of wrongdoing.
Moses remains humble and prays for his sister—humility triumphs over accusation.
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Summary
The journey from Sinai to Kadesh is not only a geographical one but also a spiritual journey.
God leads—but humanity must learn to trust, obey, and let go.
Discontent, greed, jealousy, and doubt are the great tests on the way to the Promised Land.
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Message for Us Today
God is a God of order—even in my life.
Setting out requires trust—even when the path looks difficult.
Discontent often begins quietly—but spreads quickly.
Spiritual service calls for humility, not self-promotion.
Passion for God’s work also means enduring criticism and remaining faithful.
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Reflection Question
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What am I holding onto, even though God is calling me to move forward?
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Am I prone to complain, or do I seek God’s way—even in times of lack?
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How do I handle responsibility—do I bear it alone or share it with others?
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Do I have a heart like Moses—patient, humble, willing to forgive?
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