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THE SANCTITY OF WORSHIP IN MEALS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Deuteronomy 12:1-18

1 Corinthians 10:14-26

 

“For the earth is the Lord’s,

and the fulness thereof.”

 

THE SANCTITY OF WORSHIP IN MEALS
 
The Levites had no inheritance because they were chosen to minister in spiritual matters, thus they were scattered among all the tribes of Israel. Every family had to ensure that they lived in harmony and rejoiced with the Levite. They were forbidden to offer sacrifices in any place apart from the place that the Lord had chosen for them. This was to ensure that they all adhered to the specification of the Law in their service. Unity in serving the Lord even till today is most important so that false worship may not develop.
 
Apart from sacrifices, Israel was permitted to kill and eat flesh within their gates as they desired when the Lord had blessed them. Whatever animal they killed, they were not permitted to eat blood. (This is one prohibition that is upheld in the New Testament for Gentile believers to observe, see Acts 15:20, 29.) Israel was also forbidden to eat within their gates what was legally to be given to the Lord. When they did not observe these laws, it was a transgression of the Law and they would be defiled. The Levitical laws gave other specifications on observing the commands of the Lord. Israel was thus prepared to live in the Land of Canaan and to observe all that God commanded them.
 
The worship that Israel offered was largely ceremonial and figurative of God’s plan of redemption in Christ. Since Christ came, this form of worship was laid aside, but obedience to God always stands. We now worship in spirit and in truth as Jesus told the Samaritan woman. This dialogue gives the answer, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father… God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:20-24).
 
THOUGHT: God appoints what we eat each day.
PRAYER: Father, may I give Thee honour even in my eating habits.

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