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| Worship
in the Land of Promise: The Liturgy of the Land |
| Steve
Griffing |
Text:
Deuteronomy 12:1-14
I.
This text contains "statutes
and judgments" to be observed
in the land of inheritance.
A.
Deuteronomy is derived from two
Greek words; Deuteros,
meaning "second," and
Nomos, meaning "law."
In other words, it means "second
law."
B.
This and other passages in Deuteronomy
seem to refer to a second law
that is specifically formulated
for observance in the promised
land.
C.
This passage deals exclusively
with worship in the land of promise.
It is Israel's "liturgy of
the land."
D.
If these things were "written
for our admonition upon whom the
ends of the world are come"
(I Cor. 10:11), then we should
be able to extract from this text
principles of worship which are
characteristic of a people who
are living in the fulness of God's
inheritance and dominion.
II.
This is a prophetic passage, not
merely a regulatory law.
A.
It speaks of a day of rest, dominion,
and joy for God's people.
B.
It was historically fulfilled
in David (I Chron. 15:25; 16:3)
and Solomon (I Chron. 29:9,
22).
III.
Verses 8 - 9 provide insight as
to the need and purpose of these
laws.
A.
In verse 8, we see a need for
a change of behavior. Those who
would enter the promised land
must live and worship under a
different law from that of the
wilderness. "Ye shall not
do after all the things that we
do here this day, every man whatsoever
is right in his own eyes."
B.
Comparing verses 1 and 8 we see
that this change required God's
people to set aside their own
personal, private judgment concerning
worship in favor of a universal
liturgical law.
C.
It is at once a call for obedience
and for unity under divine contract.
D.
Verse 9 implies that this change
must take place in order to bring
about and maintain the rest and
dominion "which the Lord
your God giveth you." Hence
this inheritance and rest cannot
be fully realized individually.
It must be experienced corporately.
This eliminates spriritual "competition"
since even the most spiritual
worshiper cannot enter the land
without the rest of the community.
E.
From Judges 21:25 we learn
two things:
"In
those days the was no king in
Israel: every man did that which
was right in his own eyes.
1.
This promise was not fulfilled
during the period of the judges,
called the heroic period, during
which the tribes apparently
competed for economic and social
supremacy.
2.
It would require a kingdom to
bring biblical worship and dominion
into full realization, and with
it the desired behavioral change
in the people. Ultimately all
worship is governmental.
3.
This kingdom became a reality
under David, who also instituted
worship that was based on the
Word and consisted of the Word.
(see I Chron. 15:13, Ps.
119:48, 54; Col. 3:16)
IV.
These statutes first call for the
destruction of pagan worship and images.
A.
Pagan worship is mystical, that
is its purpose, to appease an arbitrary
god or cosmic force. Its governmental
view of God, or gods, is that he
is above law.
B.
Biblical worship is based on covenant
relationship. It is intimate communion
with a loving God who has subjected
himself to his own covenant law.
(see Ps. 138:2; Num. 23:19)
C.
Many Christians fail to understand
that God's sovereignty does not
release him from the infinite justice
of his law. his own righteousness
would preclude him from violating
a law that he requires his people
to keep. (see Matt. 5:17-18)
V.
Elements of worship in the land of
promise
A. "Seek" - The Principle
of Hope: verse 5
1. Heb. 11:6 says that
God is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.2. Luke
11:9-10, 13 says that those
who seek God will find him in
the Holy Spirit.3. The antithesis
of this is non-expectation in
worship.
B.
"Come" - The Principle
of Gathering: verse 5Gen. 49:10
- "Unto him shall the gathering
of the people be"Ps. 50:5
- "Gather my saints together..."Heb.
10:25 - "Not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together."
1. The very act of congregating
is a fundamental act of worship.2.
Points of focus:
a.
The "place" or sanctuary.
We gather to God's place, not
ours. (see Amos 9:11-12,
Rev. 21:3)
b.
The "Name" - Rev.
14:1. God's nature and image
is engraved in our minds. We
also receive a family relationship.
c.
The antithesis is arrogant individualism
in worship. That is an unwillingness
to become part of a body. This
was the pervading attitude during
the period of the judges.
C.
"Bring"- The Principle
of Offering: verse 7
1.
Sacrifice: Jer. 33:11, Heb.
13:15 - the sacrifice of praise.Hosea
14:2 - "Take with you
words, and turn to the Lord."
2.
Tithes: of time, talent, and money
to the storehouse. (Mal. 3:10)
3.
Vows: Jonah 2:9, Ps. 61:8,
56:12, 50:14. A reciprocal
covenant. (Daily Offices: Morning,
Noon and Evening Prayer)
4.
Firstlings: The is new life in
Bible worship. Jesus is the "firstborn
among many brethren." (Rom.
8:29, Ps. 133:3)5. New Testament
Offerings: I Cor, 14:266.
Antithesis is need-oriented worship.
D.
"Eat" - the Principle
of Partaking: verse 7. This is to
be done "before the Lord."
We partake of Christ in worship
and thereby become part of him.
(John 6:48-58) Biblical worship
involves eating in three forms.
1.
The Word - Jer. 15:16, Ps.
119:103; John 1:1.
2.
The Lord's Table - Matt. 26:26-29.
3.
The Love Feast - Acts 2:46
- produces joy and unity.
4.
The antithesis is Laodicean worship
reflecting self-satisfaction;
a lack of hunger.
E.
"Rejoice" - The Principle
of Joy: verse 7. (see Neh. 8:8-12)
1.
Joy is based on a commandment,
not a feeling. it is taught. (Jer.
15:16; Ps. 119:14.; 111; 162)
2.
Must be the pervading emotion
of worship - the highest human
expression.
3.
It is the key to maintaining spiritual
victory. (II Chron. 20:27)
4.
It is the primary sign of holiness.
(Neh. 8:10)
5.
It is evidence of the anointing.
(Ps. 45:7, Is, 61:3)
6.
The antithesis is penitential
worship, resulting in either introspection,
criticism, or both. Penitential
introspection was always preparation
for worship, not a part of it.
(see tabernacle furnishings) Failure
to rejoice brings bondage. (Deut.
38:47-48)
7.
Worship is above all else celebration
of the risen Christ. (Ps. 100:2)
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