Deuteronomy 16
ECFDeuteronomy 16:9
John Cassian: There was plainly realized the number of this festival, which we read was figuratively foreshadowed in the Old Testament too, when it was ordered that at the end of seven weeks the bread of first fruits was to be offered to the Lord by the priests. This in very truth is recognized as having been offered to the Lord by the preaching of the apostles with which they are said to have exhorted the people on that day. This was the true bread of the first fruits, which was proffered at the beginning of the new teaching, when five thousand men were filled with the gift of its food and which consecrated to the Lord a Christian people newly born from the Jews. — CONFERENCE 21.20.2
Deuteronomy 16:10
Origen of Alexandria: An offering of “first fruits,” that is, from the beginning of the harvest, is commanded. If you remember well, the law commands this is to be done on the day of Pentecost. This was obviously given to them as a “shadow,” but the truth was reserved for us. For on the day of Pentecost, after they offered up the sacrifice of prayers, the church of the apostles received the first fruits of the coming of the Holy Spirit. — HOMILIES ON Leviticus 2.2.5
Deuteronomy 16:16
Paterius: He appears emptyhanded in the sight of the Lord who brings none of the fruits of his labor with him. One man seethes with desire to increase his power; another pants with longing to gather praise. But because the dying man leaves all these things behind, he appears before the Lord emptyhanded, for he brings nothing with him when he appears before the judge. Thus the law admonishes us to good effect when it says, “You will not appear emptyhanded in the sight of the Lord.” For the man who does not plan for the reward of a meritorious life by acting well appears emptyhanded in the sight of the Lord. The psalmist says of the just, “coming they will come rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.” They who come to the judge’s court carrying sheaves are the ones who display in themselves good works by which they merit life. Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Deuteronomy
Paterius: He appears empty-handed in the sight of the Lord who brings none of the fruits of his labor with him. One man seethes with desire to increase his power; another pants with longing to gather praise. But because the dying man leaves all these things behind, he appears before the Lord empty-handed, for he brings nothing with him when he appears before the judge. Thus the law admonishes us to good effect when it says, “You will not appear empty-handed in the sight of the Lord.” For the man who does not plan for the reward of a meritorious life by acting well appears empty-handed in the sight of the Lord. The psalmist says of the just, “coming they will come rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.” They who come to the judge’s court carrying sheaves are the ones who display in themselves good works by which they merit life. — EXPOSITION OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 16:19
Caesarius of Arles: Those who hear cases should decide them justly and not accept bribes at the expense of the innocent, “for gifts blind the hearts of the wise and change the words of the just.” Otherwise, while they are acquiring money, they may lose their soul. No one obtains unjust profit without a just loss. Where the gain is, there is the loss: a gain in the money coffer but a loss in the conscience. — SERMONS 13.2
Deuteronomy 16:20
Jerome: In another place: “You shall follow justly after that which is just,” lest we turn from justice, by asserting our own view of truth, recalling the experience of Saul and Agag. — Against the Pelagians 2.3