Exodus 23-24

Exodus 23-24

God mixes in some good farming tips among the societal and worship laws.

My question is "Why does God want his people to waste food?"  Do they get to eat the burnt offerings?
I understand that he demands sacrifice from his people but couldn't that be accomplished thru fasting?
Wouldn't a Festival of the Harvest be a nice way for man to say thank you?

God promises to drive out those who would oppose his people.  I like his plan.  Slowly but surley.

Exodus 23:31 sets the boundary for the land of the Israelites.  If God created the Earth, and the Israelites are God's people, why would he give them such a small and infertile place to live?  Why wouldn't he tell them to go to Italy, France or Spain?