Deuteronomy 12 The Israelites were about to enter the promised land.  Moses gives them some new instructions for sacrifices.. a transition that will take place when the tabernacle is moved into a central location and the people are scattered into their various tribes.  At that point they would "seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God shall choose from all your tribes to establish His name there for His dwelling and there you shall come." (v5) 

Every offering, tithe, and contribution would be brought to this place and offered no where else. "And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you."

The Lord gives them permission to slaughter and eat meat when they desired to.. as long as it was not the meat set apart for a holy offering before the Lord.  That could only be done at the place God chose... this would eventually be the city of Jerusalem. 

"Be careful to listen to all theses words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you.. " 

Every place where the nations before them had offered evil sacrifices was supposed to be destroyed and every practice of idolatry was meant to be forever extinguished.  How sad that Israel failed to listen and obey these commands from the Lord.  

Verses 8-9 are especially relevant for us today, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes; for you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you."  What is right is that we turn away from every false way that the world promotes.  We worship our God only in the place He chooses.. which according to Jesus is not on a mountain or in Jerusalem..  "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth"  ( John 4:23) Jesus is the place.. the person that God has chosen.  He is our resting place and our inheritance. He is where we rejoice before the Lord our God.  It is in Jesus that we are well and where we find all that is good and right in the sight of the God of gods and Lord of lords, the Great and Mighty, Awesome God that we serve. 

Father in heaven, we come to You for grace and mercy.. to find the fulness of Your love and salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Help us to do Your will and to rejoice in Your Word. May we worship You in spirit and in truth all the days of our lives.  May we live in the Light and Love that You have poured out on us through Your Spirit in the name of Jesus. We give You our thanks and our praise. Amen.