Does God not tell us outright that the Death Penalty is to happen??
Exodus 24:7 - "We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey." What happened to us! We turned around and sinned an hour later probably... sad day what we are!
What sort of rules do you have in your house? They don't have to be written down - many firm rules never make it to paper or poster board, though sometimes they feel more official that way. Parents usually start, "Mom and Dad are in charge," and go on from there. Whenever two or more people gather together, there can be chaos; rules help us get organized.
The laws cover worship, servants, personal injuries, property, social responsibly, justice, the Sabbath and three annual festivals. Israel encamps at Mt. Sinai for a year, giving them time to soak in God's commands. Why did God give the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)? Israel was God's people, and the commandments gave them a blueprint for a life of practical holiness, life as a people belonging to God. In these laws, the people could see Gods nature and his plan for how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner. If we love God, we will love his will. We show our love by responding obediently to what God wants. The Ten Commandments tell us what God wants.
Take a fresh look at the familiar commandments; look at them from the positive side. For example, the commandment against adultery really means that you should honor the sanctity of marriage. And the commandment against murder means that you should respect all human beings as valuable creations of our loving God. Which commandments cause you the most difficulty? Does anything compete for Gods place in your life? Do you show honor and respect to others?
Does someone you know seem distant? Its amazing how two people can be in the same room physically and yet be miles apart relationally. Its one thing to be together in the same room; its quite another to be together in mind and spirit.
Do you feel close to God? Its possible to be together in the same room and yet not together with him in mind and spirit. We come close to him through worship. Some of the laws that God gave Israel regulated their worship. This passage records Gods directions for building the Tabernacle--the tent and surrounding structures that would house Gods place of worship during Israels time in the wilderness. These detailed instructions leave little doubt about the importance that God places on our worship.
One of the Tabernacle curtains separated two sacred rooms -the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31 - 33). A priest would enter the Holy place each day to commune with God and tend to the altar of incense, the lamp stand, and the table with the Bread of Presence. The Most Holy Place was where God himself resided, his presence resting on the atonement cover covering the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place. Even he could do so only on the Day of Atonement, once a year, to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. Without these vivid reminders, it is easy for us to forget the vast gulf between us and God's perfect holiness. Because of Christ, this barrier has been torn down forever. Now we can approach God's thrown with confidence that he sympathizes with our weakness, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we many receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16. What a privilege!!
I will make worship a holy celebration of my relationship with our loving Lord. God, the Holy One of Israel, invites us to come close.
- Bringing pleasure to God is called "worship."
- Worship is far more than music.
- Worship is not for your benefit.
- Worship is not a part of your life, it is your life.
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