“Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25.9

All peoples in the days of ancient Israel practiced religious worship, using certain forms and conventions which their forebears had devised and handed on to each generation. It would not do for the one true and holy God to be worshiped with the forms and practices of pagan religion. Therefore, God strictly and clearly instructed His people concerning how they were to approach Him in worship.

We do not address the religious laws of Israel in this column, since these have been done away with by our new High Priest, Who has incorporated religious laws of His own in the place of those He fulfilled and made obsolete (gathering for worship, baptism, Lord’s Supper). Nevertheless, a pattern of worship exists in the Scriptures, from the days of ancient Israel on, which is given to guide us in thinking about how we should conduct this aspect of our cultural lives as unto the Lord.

Israel was not free to worship God however they liked. Nor are we. Beginning in the Law of God a pattern of sound worship emerges which teaches us what we must and must not do in approaching God in worship. The New Testament, in spite of there being no concise instruction in worship, can be seen to be bringing over into the worship of God’s Kingdom similar forms and practices first given by God to Israel in His Law.

These include assembling together, singing, prayer, making offerings to the Lord, confessing sin, making intercession, hearing the Word of God, and offering thanks and praise to Him. All worship is to be more than merely external participation in forms and practices; worship must come from a grateful heart and issue in daily obedience (Ps. 50).

We today are no more free than was ancient Israel to make of worship what we will, incorporate foreign elements, or omit any of what God requires of us in worshiping Him. Worship is a cultural activity, and God intends to rule it by His Law and Word, as everything else.

For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the life of faith, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.