BaptistWay Bible Series for May 22: Worship begins with expressing gratitude_50205

Posted: 5/10/05

BaptistWay Bible Series for May 22

Worship begins with expressing gratitude

• Deuteronomy 26:1-15

By Wayne Smith

First Baptist Church, Lamesa

The nation of Israel was camped on the Plains of Moab, across from Jericho, preparing to enter and occupy the Promised Land. Moses instructed them by presenting Deuteronomy (the second giving of the Law) in three collections of sermons.

Last week’s lesson was taken from Deuteronomy 6, near the beginning of the second and longest collection of sermons (Deuteronomy 4:44-26:68). In that sermon, Moses emphasized the importance of teaching the younger generation about the history and faith of Israel so they could pass their heritage along to the succeeding generations.

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This week’s lesson, taken from near the end of the second collection, will examine instruction in how to worship. Both form and attitude of worship are emphasized.

In the chapters between the previous lesson and the present study (7-25), Moses taught the Israelites how to form the government God wanted in Canaan. God wanted his holy nation developed to fulfill its purpose for his chosen people.

Moses told the Israelites to begin by serving only one God and recognizing Yahweh as the source of all blessings. God’s blessings came because of his grace and not their righteousness. They were to refuse to compromise with the Canaanites or to tolerate their pagan form of worship. Israel’s covenant relationship with God was based on love of both God and fellow man and not on legalism. A bountiful life in Canaan would be possible only if they loved God and were obedient to his commandments.

The Israelites were to gather at a central sanctuary for worship. This practice would unify them and keep them from being influenced by the Canaanites. The Israelites would become a holy nation if they observed all God’s requirements as presented through Moses, the covenant mediator. Moses gave detailed instructions for setting up a society in which God ruled through the civil law governing all relationships between people. As a religious community, citizens of Israel were obligated not only to obey the civil laws but also to observe festivals honoring God and his commandments at the central sanctuary.

Victory in Israel’s war of conquest would come only if they were armed by his presence and did not rely upon their own military strength. Deuteronomy had its own “holiness code” for interpersonal relationships within the society of the Promised Land. God through the Israelites themselves would administer justice.

Deuteronomy 26:1-2

After the Israelites occupied the Promised Land and produced crops, a tithe of first fruits was to be presented to God at his chosen place. The specified place of worship and sacrifice would be the tabernacle. Sacrificing and worshipping together at the tabernacle kept the Israelites focused upon their role in building God’s nation. This practice does not deny the existence of a personal abiding relationship with God for the individual.

Deuteronomy 26:3-4

The offering of first fruits, taken to the central sanctuary, is to be accompanied by a declaration. The worshipper declares that he is acting in obedience to Yahweh, the God who has brought them to the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 26:5-10

The Israelites were driven into slavery as the family of Jacob (“a wandering Aramean”) migrated to Egypt because of famine in his homeland. The family of Jacob grew into a large slave nation dominated by the Egyptians. As the Israelites suffered, they called upon God who used Moses to bring them out of slavery. God performed miraculous acts that protected the nation of Israel and led them to the Promised Land. The offering of first fruits, placed on the altar before God, thanked God for protecting and leading the nation of Israel back to the land promised to their forefathers. The act of worship confessed faith in Yahweh who had remained faithful to his chosen people.

Deuteronomy 26:10-11

Placing the tithe of first fruits on the altar and bowing in submission reminded the Israelites of the admonition to “love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always” (11:1). The celebration that accompanied the offering was a joyous communal worship experience.

Deuteronomy 26:12-15

On the third year, the Israelites were to set aside a tenth of their produce to provide for the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows (14:28-29). Once this was done, they were to announce that they had remembered and been obedient to the commands of God. They had offered the tithe as commanded. Then they asked God to bless them for their obedience as they lived in the land God had promised them.

The Israelites were given specific instructions to worship at a central sanctuary to unify them and to develop the proper attitude of respect for God. The act of placing an offering on the altar was to be accompanied by a symbolic offering of faithful obedience to God.

Remembering God’s blessings and God’s grace in forgiving transgression develops an attitude of proper worship. The Israelites had to realize that God wanted not only their obedience but their hearts as well. Obedience to God must be performed as an act of reverence and love. God would continue to bless the Israelites only if they maintained an abiding relationship strengthened by regular worship.

Application

As we compare our lives with what God has called us to be, we realize the only way to maintain a relationship with God is through obedience based on love. At the same time we follow God’s direction of our lives, we must thank him for blessings. As we look ahead to what God is going to do in our lives, we must look back and remember what he already has done. As we obey God and worship him, we enjoy the true blessing of a relationship with an abiding God.

Discussion question

• Do I experience the true joy of worshipping a living God?