DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WORSHIP

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WORSHIP 

"Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did. And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings….." (Exodus 39:23-33)

In Exodus Chapter 36-38, God gave very precise instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and the articles that were a part of the worship scene

Worship was not just a haphazard thing. It followed a very detailed order. We do not worship in the tabernacle, but the lessons from the tabernacle and its furnishings give us insight into God's order and plan. I am not talking about liturgy in our worship. Liturgy, when done for liturgy sake, can kill worship. But when done with a right spirit, it can bring freedom.

Let's look at the layout of the Tabernacle and how it gave a formula for worship.

Outside of the tabernacle in the courtyard was the Bronze Altar. Next was the Laver. The tabernacle itself had two sections – the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. In the Holy Place were the golden lampstand, the table of showbread and the Altar of Incense. In the Holy of Holies were the Mercy Seat with the Ark of the Covenant. This was to be the place where God's presence was manifested on this earth and was the center of worship.

The priests could not just barge into the Holy Place without going through a process. Worship started at the Altar of Sacrifice, where the animal offerings for sin were made. The priest would then move to the Laver and do personal cleaning and purifying. Only then could the go into the Holy Place to tend the duties of keeping the lamps filled with oil, and changing the showbread and altar of incense daily. In the Old Testament economy, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year.

Worship in the tabernacle is a pattern for our worship. Sometimes we come to worship so flippantly. It seems that any way we come is acceptable. But God is holy and the great God of the universe, and is worthy of careful preparation. We begin at the Altar of Sacrifice – the cross, and receive His forgiveness for sin. There, we receive His righteousness. Then we go to the laver for personal purification and holiness. After that, we move into the Holy Place where we see the lampstand representing Jesus, the light of the world, and the table of showbread which represents the manna, the living Word of God. Before entering the Holy of Holies, we come to the Altar of Incense where we offer up the sacrifices of praise, the sweet smell that God loves. Then we are ready to proceed into Holy of Holies – into the very presence of God. Unlike the Old Testament Priests, we can come confidently to His throne any time, all the time – not just during Sunday Worship.

If it seems that worship has become unimportant or a drag, perhaps it is because we have forgotten that we are worshiping the God of the Universe Who is worthy of more than just a tip of the hat on a Sunday morning. Maybe we have not truly come to the Cross for forgiveness to receive His garments of righteousness. Or maybe we have not purified ourselves. Or maybe we have not offered up the sacrifices of praise. God calls us to come to Him, but He gives us a pattern to follow. So instead of just barging into God's presence, maybe it would be good to take time to prepare ourselves. God is looking for people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) – not just as a ritual. Worship comes from the heart.

Love, Dad