Worship

December 2021 — Grace & Truth Magazine


Worship

The first time we find the word “worship” in the Bible is in Genesis 22:5 (kjv). Yet we know without a shadow of a doubt that the act of worship occurred over and over prior to Genesis 22. Some examples of worship before this include the case of Abel’s offering (4:4), the time when men began to call upon God (v.26), and after Noah came out of the ark (8:20-21).

What Is Worship?
It is the occupation and overflowing of the heart with the greatness and grandeur of God. Worship is to bow down and do obeisance – to give reverence, veneration and adoration. It is when one prostrates, or fully and submissively humbles oneself before the Lord while being filled with love and deep admiration for Him. In this condition, worship is made to God.

Types Of Worship
When looking at Scripture, we find several forms of what is called “worship” yet today. They are:

• Ignorant Worship. The Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul spoke of people worshiping this way (Jn. 4:22; Acts 17:23).
• Will Worship. Paul also spoke of this kind of worship (Col. 2:23), which is exemplified in what Nadab and Abihu did when they offered strange fire before the Lord (Lev. 10:1). Cain’s offering is another example (Gen. 4:2-5).
• Vain Worship. Here, people think that they are truly worshiping God but are not, because their hearts are far from Him (Mk. 7:6-7).
• True Worship. This is done by the true worshiper (Jn. 4:23-24). I desire to occupy us with this last category as we continue.

True Worship
Let us therefore return to Genesis 22, where we can learn much from Abraham. God sent him to Mount Moriah to offer his son, Isaac. Abraham discerned that this giving was worship, for he was called by God to offer unto Him his only begotten son. The entire future for Abraham could be considered as being wrapped up in Isaac. From this example we see God names what He wants and He demands our best and dearest, most cherished possession.

In Genesis 22:3 we read of a prompt response from Abraham: “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.” God loves a heart like that of Abraham, where there is a quick response to move in relation to His will. Our God rarely uses a sluggard in His service. “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him” (Prov. 10:26). This was not so with Abraham. He moved with alacrity, or readiness, to do the will of God in all matters. There was not even the slightest hint of hesitation with regard to the offering of his son to God. Should not our response be like his?

Abraham understood the truth of separation, and this is seen as he embarked on a three-day journey: “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off” (Gen. 22:4). He journeyed away from his wife, home and business. Today we are not necessarily called to take a physical journey in order to worship God, for we can separate ourselves with our hearts and minds from the distractions of this world.

Abraham took further steps to be separate as seen in verse 5: “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He left behind the young men who were not called by God and possibly had no relationship with Him. They, along with the ass, or donkey, must be left behind. Only Abraham and the son of his love and purpose must go yonder and worship and come again.

The presentation of this precious gift to God must be far removed from the eyes of men with not even the slightest form of ostentation, or getting attention. It is all a beautiful picture of God the Father and the Son, the Lord Jesus, going up to Calvary. There the Son would make that supreme sacrifice in which He through the Eternal Spirit would offer Himself without spot to God and pay the price for the sins of the world.

In almost every biblical instance where worship was done, it involved the making of presentations to God, who alone is to be worshiped. My mind goes to Matthew 2 where we have an account of the Lord Jesus’ birth. There we see wise men traveling from a very far country to worship the newborn King. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him” (vv.1-2).

The action of these wise men, as we read further, speaks volumes: “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh” (v.11). They did not worship Mary, for God alone must be worshiped (Ex. 34:14, Mt. 4:10); nor do we read of them presenting anything to her. The wise men came to worship Jesus! Their actions of falling down and presenting gifts were all for God, the King.

May we as wise men and women also fall down before the Lord in worship, opening up our hearts and pouring out to Him what we have treasured concerning Him. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

By Milton Jamieson

Worship is not a matter of being sentimental or emotional, although our hearts will be touched or affected in worship. The worth and value of what we present lies in the features of God and His Son, not in our emotions.

First Peter 2:5 states that the spiritual sacrifices are “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” That they are acceptable is not based on what we are naturally, in our practical lives, on our eloquence, or the grandeur of the building used, but on the Lord Jesus. Our words may be simple, yet if they are truthful and speak of Christ and His work, God will gladly accept them. Also, God wants our daily lives and our worship to be consistent with His Word. — Michael Hardt