Deuteronomy 12: Follow these rules exactly

Synopsis:

Moses then tells everyone what they have to do, which is that they must destroy all the religious sites in the lands they take possession of. The Lord will then tell you where He wants his altar set up. Only there will you do sacrifices, and nowhere else. Don’t do it here, because he hasn't told you where he wants his altar built yet. Now, when you go over into Jordan you can eat whatever you want, but don’t drink the blood. Pour that on the ground like water. However, when you are within your gates, you must eat in accordance with the dictates of God.  Remember; do only what I tell you to do. Don’t embellish or take away from these rules.

In other words:

Do as I command. Nothing more, nothing less. (Paraphrased Deuteronomy 12:32)

Favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. What is great about this is that anyone trying to put their own interpretation on these rules is disobeying Moses!

2nd Favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 12:15 – go ahead and eat whatever you lust after, just don’t drink the blood. Either the food rules in Leviticus were lifted or they were only for the Levites.

Least favorite bit:

Deuteronomy 12:2,3 – Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills and under every green tree. And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.  – I hate that these verses have probably been used to justify the destruction of ancient religious sites.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Wait until you know what you are supposed to be doing before you do it (Deuteronomy 12:8-11)