These two rituals were to be observed after the nation had entered Canaan and become an agricultural society. When they had reaped their first harvest, the people were to give the firstfruits to God to acknowledge Him as the Redeemer of the nation. God still wants us to put Him first and give Him glory for the blessings He freely bestows on us (Prov. 3:5–10).
这两个仪式是在以色列国进入迦南地并成为农业社会后当遵守的。当他们获得首批丰收时，百姓须把初熟的土产献给神，以承认祂是以色列人的救世主。神仍然要我们把祂居首位，并为祂向我们慷慨赐下的祝福将荣耀归于祂（箴3:5-10）。
They were also to present the “third-year tithe” to help support the Levites and the poor in the land. As with the ceremony of firstfruits, the people were to confess the Lord’s goodness in blessing the land and giving the harvest.
他们也必须献上“每三年的什一税”以供养利未人及救济穷人。同献上初熟土产的仪式一样，百姓要承认主的良善，因为祂祝福土地，给予收成。
There is nothing wrong with special times of ceremony and celebration, especially when we make new beginnings. However, we must focus on worshiping God and not just observing a ceremony.
我们可以守特别的仪式和庆祝活动，尤其当我们展开新的旅程时。然而，我们当专注的是敬拜神，而不是仅仅遵守仪式罢了。
These two events remind us of the two great commandments, to love God first and then to love our neighbor. Grateful obedience is a hallmark of God’s special people (vv. 16–19).
这两个仪式提醒我们两大诫命，就是要先爱神，再爱邻舍。出于感恩的顺服是神特殊子民的标志（16-19节）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Moses commanded the people to keep two rituals when they had conquered the Land and began to enjoy its produce. These two rituals were the initial firstfruits offering (26:1–11) and the first third-year special tithe (26:12–15). The offering of the firstfruits was to be accompanied by an elaborate confession of the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving Israel and bringing the people into the Land. The essential aspects of the worshiper’s coming to the sanctuary were the presentation of the firstfruits, bowing in worship, and rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness. In this manner, the visit to the sanctuary was a confession and acknowledgment of God. It was a time of praise and rejoicing because of God’s goodness and mercy extended to former generations and was evidence of divine sustaining grace at that time. Let’s pray that we possess proper attitude toward offering. It is part of worship. It is part of thanksgiving and it should be done with joy and celebration.
摩西吩咐百姓在征服领土后并开始享受土产时当遵守的两个仪式。这两个仪式是初熟土产的奉献（26:1-11）和每三年所作的特殊什一税（26:12-15）。奉献初熟土产的同时，百姓也当详述主的信实，因为祂保守了以色列并把子民带入到应许之地。献上初熟土产、屈膝敬拜，并因主的良善而喜乐都是百姓进入圣所时必行的。由此，进入圣所就是承认并敬拜神的时间。这是一个赞美和欢乐的时光，因为神的良善和怜悯跨至前代，延至当日，是神持续施予恩典的凭据。让我们祷告自己在奉献上拥有正确的态度。奉献是敬拜的一部分；它包含了感恩之心，须出于喜悦欢庆而行。
- The tithe collected every third year of Israel in the land of Canaan was not taken to the central sanctuary, but distributed locally to Levites, immigrants, widows, and orphans. In the same token we should prepare to give to the special ministries, special needs and special projects. Let’s pray that we give joyfully with a thankful heart because the Lord has already richly blessed us. Let us share the blessing of the Lord to others.
每逢三年，以色列在迦南地所取得的什一税并无投入圣所之用，而是发给当地的利未人、新移民、孤儿和寡妇。同样的，我们也当预备向特殊事工、特殊需要和特殊项目的工作奉献。让我们祈祷自己能以感恩、喜悦的心奉献，因为神已丰丰富富地赐福与于我们。让我们与他人共享耶和华所赐下的祝福。
