Abiding Principles from the Ceremonial Law: Worship (8)
Divine worship is a two-way street.
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25.8, 9
The Tabernacle was for ancient Israel the focal point of divine worship, as we shall see a bit later. The worship God prescribed, and the forms He intended His people to use, made it clear that worship was comprised of both offering and dialog. This is our next pair of terms describing the pattern of sound worship.
God’s people expected to meet with Him in worship. They were to come with some token of their love for Him, by which they intended to renew their Covenant relationship with Him. The book of Leviticus prescribes the various offerings which God is willing to receive at His Tabernacle. They are not all sin offerings, that is, offerings to make atonement. Some are offerings of thanks and praise which acknowledge the goodness of God and express faith in His ongoing ability to provide.
Offerings made to the Lord were thus the way the worshiper could expect to engage God in His glory. The offerings were fulfilled in three ways. First, a sweet savor rose to the Lord, thus satisfying Him of His people’s faith and trust. Second, a portion of the offerings went to the priests, as a gift from both the one offering and the Lord, Who prescribed this use. Third, the offerings were eaten by those who made them, again, as a gift back from the Lord to the worshiper. Thus a kind of dialog was established by means of the offerings by which God showed His pleasure and reassured the worshipper that He would continue to provide for his needs. This, coupled with instruction from His Word and words of benediction from the priests, fleshed out the nature of worship under the ceremonial laws as consisting of offering and dialog. Worship is intended as a two-way street in which, as the worshippers devote themselves to pleasing God, He engages them in His glory with His gifts, thus renewing them in His Covenant.
For a fuller study of the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture, order the book, The Highest Thing, by T. M. Moore, from our online store. These studies and brief essays will help you to see how the pattern of sound worship, which began in the Law of God, comes to complete expression in the rest of Scripture. Pastors, we’re getting ready to start the next season of The Pastors’ Fellowship. Write to me today at tmmoore@ailbe.org for information about how you join in these online discussions. Our theme for the coming series is “The Worldview of God’s Law.” There is no charge for participation, but you must reserve a place for these monthly gatherings. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe.
