The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1946-01-25
A PEOPLE AT WORSHIP

LESSON TExT-Exodus 2s:1; 35:4-9 20.
20.
GOLDEN TExT-Thou alt worship the
Lord thy God. and Him only shalt thou
serve.-Matthew 4:10
A nation which knows God must
have place and a plan for wor-
Shipping Him. The history of Israel
has moved forward in the account
in Exodus where the people de-
ivered from bondage are estab-
lished as theocratic nation; that is,
one governed by God.
The covenant at Sinai (ch. 1917
was followed by the giving of the
law (chs. 1929, and then in chap
ters 24-40 we find the worship of
God established. Two elements are
necessary-a way in which God may
be approached and place to meet
Him. The former is provided in the
ordaining of the Aaronic priest
hood, and the latter by the build
ing of the Tabernacle.
I. God Provides a Way to Wor-
ship (28:D.
The appointment Of Aaron as high
priest, and his sons to serve with
him, provided for the proper con-
duct of the worship of God which
was to take place in the Tabernacle.
The sinner coming into the pres
ence of God must approach by way
of the brazen altar where sacrifice
could be made for sin. This called
for a priest set apart for this holy
duty, which would open the way for
the repentant one to enter into the
Holy place, and ultimately to know
that his sin was covered in the Holy
Of Holes.
Consider the grace of God in thus
providing for the deep spiritual need
of His people. All of this pointed for
ward to the day when Christ the true
High Priest was to make the perfect
and final atonement for sin by the
sacrifice of Himself on Calvary's
tree.
The symbolic dress of the priest
and his conservation for his duties
are all very instructive, but we do
not have space to comment at
length. Suffice it to say that the one
who is to serve in the conduct of the
worship of God is to be called,
cleansed and consecrated man, set
apart for a holy calling and eager to
be used of God to lead men into fell
lowship with Him.
From these first provisions for
the worship of God we thus may
learn many of the high principles
which are to guide the church re-
garding the call and separation Of
men to the ministry. The gift and
grace of God shown in the mans
character are far more important
than intellectual or social standing.
III. God Provides a Place of W0r-
ship (35:4-9, 2O-29).
The plan for the Tabernacle was
given by God to Moses in much de-
tail. A close study Of it will bring
rich reward.
Although the plans were made by
God (Exod. 25-27), note that He gave
to the people the privilege of pro-
viding the materials. They recog-
nized it as high privilege and not
a burden, and they came enthusiast
tically with their gifts.
That thought bears application to
the believer, for we know that God
still loves a cheerful giver III Cor.
9:7). Those who groan and grumble
about the money and material
needed for the worship Of God have
not caught the real spirit of Chris
tan giving.
The children of Israel brought
more than enough of their most
treasured possessions and of the la
Dor of their hands; in fact, they had
to be told to stop (Exod. 36:1-7).
Imagine having to tell people to stop
giving! That would be novelty!
The Tabernacle was duly built,
and thus there was provided for Is
rael a place of meeting Tabernacle
literally means "tent Of meeting"),
beautiful and appropriate for their
days of sojourning in the wilderness.
The significance of the Tabernacle
Is both interesting and important.
~ It is a symbol of Gods pres
ence with His people. All who were
defiled were excluded because God
was there.
(2) It is type of Gods method
of bringing sinners to Himself. There
must be sacrifice for sin before
communion can be established.
The furniture of the Tabernacle is
therefore significant. The altar of sac
rifice and the laver of cleansing
come first in the outer court. Then
on his journey from the sacrifice to
the communion of the Holy of
Holes, the one who seeks God is fed
by the showbread, lighted by the
candlestick and sustained by prayer,
of which the altar of incense speaks.
Christ is the Bread of life, the
Light of the world, our High Priest
and interceding Advocate.
Within the Holy of Holes the
mercy seat typifies the covering of
believers sins by the blood of Christ.
(3) It is symbol of the incarna-
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