RPG Adults
WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL LESSONS IN CANAAN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Deuteronomy 27:1-8
John 4:20-24
“God is a Spirit:
and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth.”
WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL LESSONS IN CANAAN
Moses gave detailed guidelines to Israel as they entered Canaan. The first thing they were commanded to do was to set up an altar made of stones not touched with an iron tool. This was a memorial for the historic crossing. They were also to build an altar to offer sacrifices in worship. The twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two groups so that one group would pronounce blessings upon Mt Gerizim and the other group curses upon Mt Ebal. This was God’s way of communicating with them.
The memorial in the crossing of River Jordan was the first act of worship. The constant reminder to Israel was that they were to remember the Lord and keep His commandments. Everything that the Lord told them was to be obeyed and followed at all times, just like orders given to an army. The rule is that they must obey orders first. If there be complaints, they could be raised later. Israel was set to enter the land that they had longed for during their forty-year journey. Moses himself was not crossing with them; the Lord had told him that he would die on that side of Jordan. Joshua was already anointed to lead Israel. The new leader had the responsibility to ensure that all that the Lord had told them through Moses was obeyed. Besides the altar, Moses told them to write upon the stones the words of the Law of God. The monument that they were going to set up at the crossing point of River Jordan was a reminder of what the Lord had done for them and the written words would always remain to bear a testimony.
The place of worship in the land of Canaan was indicated to Israel. They were also to set up the stones upon Mt Ebal and plaster it with plaster and build an altar unto the Lord God. They were not to lift any iron tool upon the stones but were to use whole stones. Thereon they were to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord God. They were to offer peace offerings and eat and rejoice in the Lord in that place. The words of the law were to be written plainly upon the stones. The worship commanded was to honour God and remind them of His presence.
THOUGHT: Worship is a natural response to God’s goodness.
PRAYER: Father, may I keep the Lord’s Day for Thy worship only.