Exodus 23-30: O Worship the LORD!

As you read through this passage you may have been awed by the simple volume of seemingly meaningless details.  These details include the materials and measurements for building the Tabernacle and the instruments of worship in the Tabernacle.  These details include in depth discussion of offerings to be made including the type of animal and the portions to be burnt, discarded, and eaten and there are even instructions detailing who is to eat the offerings.   The list then moves to the Levitical Priests.  Details are given concerning the anointing oil to be made for them and the application of that oil to the right ear, right thumb and right big toe.  A perfume to be utilized by the priest is also described.  This section continues with the details for the altar of incense and the incense that will be burned on that altar in the worship of God.  So what is the application for you and I living today that do not have a Tabernacle and Levitical Priests?

It appears that the Lord is demonstrating that He is not in agreement with the great masses of people who cry out for an "unorganized religion".  Multitudes of people are professing to be Christians but yet deserting God's instrument of the church for their own forms of worship and service.  These actions are justified with vague assertions to some liberty in Christ to do as they are led by the Spirit.  Well the Bible makes it clear that  God leads us to a form of worship of Him that is extremely organized.  While the rest of the world is descending into a form of self-worship that requires casual dress, short sermonettes, and culture-driven teachings, we are called back on center to a worship of God that is dictated by God.  The music utilized in church should be music that God directs to be utilized for worship of Him not what makes us feel good.  The clothing that we wear should be indicative of the fact that we have come to worship the Most High God which would dictate that it be at least as formal as our daily work wear.  The teaching and preaching of the word of God should not be dictated by the attention span of the people but by the Spirit of God in accordance with the word of God.  It is simple.  All things should be done in accordance with what God has said is acceptable worship not what is acceptable to us.

I hear the cries of those who say what has all that to do with salvation?  I know you are thinking that a person can be saved and listen to any music and look any way.  Exodus 30:15 makes it clear that salvation is the same with all people with these words, "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls."  What this passage is talking about is not salvation but worship.  If the plethora of details is any indicator of the heart of God.  God is picky about how He is worshipped.  If we are to look at the word worship to understand why God is so picky things become a little clearer.  Worship means to ascribe worth to.  So when we worship in a way that shows our concern only for our comfort we have ascribed the worth to the wrong one.  So let us worship the Lord but let us worship Him acceptably in accordance with His word.

Daily Devotional:  Jeremiah 1:1-17  Many Kings Fail