🎺 Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “according to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn away from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left.” Deuteronomy 17 opens with these words: “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh…” The line to keep is Deuteronomy 17:1: “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.” Carry the word “sacrifice” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is Deuteronomy 17:1: “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in Deuteronomy 17? Then try this: Read “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.