Why Do You Worship?    Exo. 25:8-9,17-22; 29:38-46    April 25, 2010

Introduction

God gives us several details that reveal truth about Him in these verses. God’s greatness and His

transcendence are conveyed through the use of precious materials. The curtain in the Holy of Holies reveals a separation from God and the common and unclean. The Tabernacle being moveable reveals God desires to be near His people. The furnishings of the Tabernacle and the services performed there picture the sacrifice Christ will one day make. These Old Testament details can give answers to the question Why Do You Worship?

1.   Why Do You Worship? Because God . . Commanded A Place For Worship. 25:8-9

       A.   God Commanded A Place For Him To . . Dwell Among The People. 25:8

              8 "They are to make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them.

       B.   A Place He Will . . Design. 25:9

              9 You must make it according to all that I show you—the design of the tabernacle as well as the design

              of all its furnishings."

       Worship did not begin in the New Testament; but many of the Old Testament commands for worship Jesus fulfills. In the text God specifies a place for worship. Today He dwells in the individual believer through His Spirit. The design of the tabernacle prepares the people for the coming Messiah as every detail is guided to represent the sacrifice Christ will and did eventually make.

2.   Why Do You Worship? Because God . . Communicates In His Place Of Worship. 25:17-22

       A.   God Communicates From The Place He . . Decided. 25:17-20

.      17 Make a mercy seat of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.e 18 Make two cherubim of gold;

       make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end and one

       cherub at the other end. Make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 The

       cherubim are to have wings spread out above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and are to face one

       another. The faces of the cherubim should be toward the mercy seat.

       B.   God Communicates From The Place He . . Designated. 25:21-22

       21 Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the testimony that I will give you into the ark. 22 I will meet

       with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will

       speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

God’s presence in the tabernacle will be acknowledged from the mercy seat. The details of this place are spelled out by God. He dictated the length, breath, and details concerning the two cherubims. They will be place at each end of the Mercy Seat facing one another, this symbolizes their eternal watchfulness in the ministry for the redeemed. The Ark contains the testimony (tablets containing the ten commandments). God will communicate to Moses from that location.

3.   Why Do You Worship? Because God . . Consecrates In His Place Of Worship. 29:38-46

       A.   God Consecrates With And For His . . Plan. 29:38-41

38 "This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar every day: two year-old lambs. 39 In the morning offer one lamb, and at twilight offer the other lamb. 40 With the first lamb offer two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of crushed olive oil, and a drink offering of one quartos of wine. 41 You are to offer the second lamb at twilight. Offer a grain offering and a drink offering with it, like the one in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a fire offering to the Lord.

       B.   God Consecrates With And For His . . Priest. 29:42-46

       42 This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting

       before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. 43 I will also meet with the Israelites there, and

       that place will be consecrated by My glory. 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also

       consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. 45 I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

       46 And they will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I

       might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. HCSB

       God’s plan for the sacrifices in the tabernacle include five details. Two lambs are to be sacrificed one morning and one night. The details about the sacrifice and a drink offering are given this is to be done until the fulfillment comes in Christ sacrifice. A great emphasis is placed on holiness in clothing, priest and the tabernacle. God is holy and He will cause holiness throughout the tent of meeting and all the details of it’s existence. In order for the priests to be used in God’s service they needed to be consecrated. This kind of worship and ritual became very expensive. One commentator added up the cost of sheep etc. and estimated in 1718 years it would cost almost eighteen million (18, 000,000.00 ). I can just here some body say we can’t afford that. But I believe money spent at the command of God by a group of consecrated people honoring God and remembering His request willbe blessed. His Blessing answers the question Why Do You Worship? Amen? Amen!