Work and Worship — Part 3. Avodah in Slavery: Idolatry
By: Mark Raja
Tags: Idolatry, Justice, Theology Of Work, Christian Living, Worship

Mary Magdelene washing the feet of Jesus, By Frank Wesley.

Work and Worship — Part 3

We saw that God called Adam and Eve as priests of the garden to worship him in all his beauty and holiness. But, what made them lose their priesthood? To understand this better, let us learn another Hebrew word Shâchâh. This term means to depress or prostrate oneself.

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship (Shâchâh) the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Ps 29:2)

If the garden of Eden was the temple of God or his dwelling place, man as a priest, Shâchâh/prostrated before God in the temple. But instead of worshiping God for who He is, Adam and Eve wanted to take the place of God and become their own god. This is an abomination that brought desolation. Man was driven out of the garden and God placed Cherubim to restrain him from entering it.

You see the same pattern in the tabernacle. In the Holy of Holies, two Cherubim overshadow the mercy seat of God above the Ark of the Covenant. No man was allowed into the Holy of Holies except the high priest once a year. God’s presence was there. Man cannot touch it nor replace it with anything else, just as God told not to touch that tree in the centre of the garden.

When God made a covenant with Israel, his first commandment was against idolatry. “You shall have no gods before me”. Israel’s idolatry led to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and they were driven into exile just as it happened in the garden.

You may think why is God so worried about himself and his place? When God made all things to become his dwelling place, he made them reflect his glory. He made man in his image so that we reflect his glory. When we Shâchâh or Avodah God we reflect his glory. That means our Avodah brings God’s righteousness and justice. But when we Shâchâh to anything else other than God, we reject God’s image in us and glorify our idols and ourselves. Our Avodah is cursed because it does not bring God’s glory or the righteousness he desires. Idolatry led Adam from priesthood to slavery.

Today, in Christ our bodies have become the temple of God. In John 14, Jesus says that he and the father will come and dwell in us. We are his dwelling place. I think this is one of the most underestimated reality in the church today. Anything that takes the place of God, becomes an idol. My money, talent, fame, pleasure, family, spouse, or even church and ministry, can take the place of God, and become an idol. Most of the time, it is my pride that takes the place of God. Ken Blanchard said, ‘EGO is ‘Edging God Out’’. Then my work does not produce God’s glory but, brings injustice because it is selfish work.

We see injustice and slavery everywhere in our world from simple corruption at the workplace, to superiority, greed, bonded labor, child prostitution, genocide, persecution, etc. These are the consequences when man worships himself. We have many examples around us. Businesses that exploit people and natural resources to politicians who only care for their own benefit. Result? Injustice, poverty, violence, etc.

But worship to God brings justice and abundant life to our broken world because it offers oneself for others good. Just as how the river flowed from Eden or from the threshold of the temple in Ezekiel, “For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” (Ezekiel 47:9) may our work, worship and service bring God’s justice in this unjust world.