Monday, June 25, 2012

Do you know the "Laws" of worship? Leviticus 7-9

Worship, as a law, just doesn't seem comfortable.   In these three chapters God is outlining for Aaron and his sons the details of how to worship and how to approach God through sacrifice.   I am not an expert on this section and would not pretend to know all the ins and outs of Levitical sacrifice and worship.  But, the first verse in this section states, "This is the LAW of the guilt offering ...".    It might seem cold, frightful and callous to look at worship in the structure of LAW.   The word LAW causes us to think "must do;" "have to follow;" and/or "can't deviate from."    In fact, Paul tells us that Law introduces us to sin and brings on sin.   If we make a law it will produce more sin.   So, why does God start a section on worship with the concept of Law?   There are probably several reasons but perhaps a leading response to that question is that worship, the act of coming to God to show His glory and honor His glory, has an ultimate standard.   A "law" sets a standard.  A "law" is the approved standard of the law giver as to how to do something correctly.  We might argue with this definition from man's view-point, but when we understand that this book is about how to approach God as written by God, how to worship Him is His standard and His Law.   That doesn't mean it can't come from the heart.   The only way we can have heart felt worship with a standard of worship is if we have the character of God in our hearts.   We might reject His Laws of worship when we have our laws (standards) in our hearts.   But, if we have God ruling our heart and heart desire is to please God we would not look at these laws as laws.  We simply see them as a natural outcome of a heart bent on approaching God.   As you read this section allow it to bend your heart toward God.  Think of worshipping Him.   A heart bent on worship will worship.   

No comments:

Post a Comment

Don’t Relax The Power of God’s Word - Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill the...