Separation

Deuteronomy 12-14 is about the mention of a place of worship, punishment of apostates, and dietary and mourning restrictions. Israel is expected to be different from the surrounding nations in every aspect, and even the details are important. Prophets, relatives, and people in surrounding towns who would serve idols were subject to death and destruction. In addition, the people were to tithe to God of their surplus.

We are also called to be different from the world around us, although our separation is from the inside out.  And the idea that we worship the Father in Spirit and in truth regardless of physical location has been made known to us since the time of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:21-24).  Although we no longer kill people who push false doctrine and religion, we are not to be influenced by them or to adopt their practices.  And of course, we tithe still, like they did, knowing that God has a claim on all of creation (Psalm 24:1; Ezekiel 18:4).