SeniorSeeker
Active member
Rejoicing Before The Lord
A substantial part of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers centers around the sanctuary service, its construction, its services, the sacrifices and offerings presented there, and the ministration of the priests. It was a very sacred and holy place. After all, it was not only the place where God Himself dwelt, it was the place where Israel came to be forgiven and cleansed of sin. It was the place where Israel learned and experienced the gospel.
At the same time, we must not come away with the idea that Israelite worship was cold, sterile, and formal. The Lord had set very strict guidelines on what was to be done, but these guidelines were not ends in themselves. Rather, they were means to an end, and the end was that His people would be a holy, joyful, and faithful covenant nation that would teach the world about the true God in Exod. 19:6, Deut. 4:5-7, and Zech. 8:23, as well as throughout His whole Holy Word.
Exodus 19:6 "You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
Deuteronomy 4:5-7 "Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say,
A substantial part of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers centers around the sanctuary service, its construction, its services, the sacrifices and offerings presented there, and the ministration of the priests. It was a very sacred and holy place. After all, it was not only the place where God Himself dwelt, it was the place where Israel came to be forgiven and cleansed of sin. It was the place where Israel learned and experienced the gospel.
At the same time, we must not come away with the idea that Israelite worship was cold, sterile, and formal. The Lord had set very strict guidelines on what was to be done, but these guidelines were not ends in themselves. Rather, they were means to an end, and the end was that His people would be a holy, joyful, and faithful covenant nation that would teach the world about the true God in Exod. 19:6, Deut. 4:5-7, and Zech. 8:23, as well as throughout His whole Holy Word.
Exodus 19:6 "You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
Deuteronomy 4:5-7 "Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say,