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THE PLACE OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW LAND
LORD’S DAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Deuteronomy 12:1-18

Matthew 21:12-17

 

“My house shall be called
the house of prayer; but ye

have made it a den of thieves.”

 

THE PLACE OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW LAND
 
The place that God had chosen through the servants whom He had appointed became the place of worship. The Ark of the Covenant and all other furniture of the tabernacle that were specified by God formed the sanctuary of worship. All Israel would come to worship where the tabernacle was pitched until the temple was built.
 
The priests ministered and the people brought their sacrifices, offerings, tithes, freewill offerings, first fruits and everything that they were commanded to bring. They were to receive all these and offer what was to be offered for sacrifices and the others would be used for their needs. Israel was told to eat and rejoice in all the blessings of the Lord. When there is no lack of food and other basic necessities then there is joy and thanksgiving to God for His favour. Moses warned that they were not to do every man that which was right in his own eyes. For then there would be lawlessness and confusion. This happened in the days of the judges and brought great sufferings to the nation. The Lord thus forewarned them to be obedient. As Moses spoke, they had not come to rest or to the inheritance promised to them. However, they were looking forward to that promise and that they would dwell in safety. This came to the fore in the reign of Solomon when there was no war and the borders of Israel had expanded to their greatest. Idolatry was outlawed, and they worshipped God only.
 
Moses anticipated that Israel may be tempted to neglect the place that God would choose and invent their own way of worship. If that happened, they would turn away from the Lord and go back to idolatry. There was a need for the nation to be united in serving God so that there would be a uniformed obedience to the commands of the Lord in relation to worship. Families would gather and rejoice before the Lord and the Levite that lived among them would be included in the family. God’s worship required order and decency.
 
THOUGHT: A place of worship is a holy place worthy of our reverence for God is there.

PRAYER: Father, may I give Thy house the honour it deserves.

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