Gathering for Worship
“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them”
(Joshua 18:1 KJV).
Once in the land of Canaan, the children of Israel made Shiloh the worship center. Later, Jerusalem would became the worship center in the land. Here in our text we have the first gathering of the people at Shiloh for worship. Our verse tells of the people in the gathering, the purpose of the gathering, and the product of the gathering.
People in the gathering - “The whole congregation.” Here on this occasion, all the people gathered at Shiloh. Because they considered worship important, no one was missing. This is the way it ought always to be. Yet in our day, when it is time for worship, usually only a very small part of the congregation shows up. This ought not to be – worship should involve the “whole” congregation.
Purpose of the gathering - “Set up the tabernacle of the congregation.” While in the wilderness, the children of Israel had carried the Tabernacle with them wherever they went. Now it is brought to Shiloh and set up. The Tabernacle represented Christ, and the setting up of it speaks of exalting Christ in worship. When we gather to worship, we are to exalt Jesus Christ. Our worship is to focus on Christ just as Israel’s worship was centered around the Tabernacle.
Product of the gathering - “The land was subdued before them.” It is significant to note that our verse state that after the Tabernacle was set up, the land (enemy) was subdued. So it is with us and Christ today. We exalt Christ by worship. When Christ is exalted in our lives, we will gain power over the enemy (sin). When we skip church and do not place much priority on the gathering of the saints for worship, we dishonor Christ and lose power to combat sin successfully.
(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading)
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Quotation of the Week
“God without man is still God; man without God is nothing!”
Anonymous
Word Study
Purpose (shewbread)
In 2 Timothy 1:9 we read, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (NASB).
Purpose (shewbread) is the Greek word prosthesis (προθεσις). It means set before oneself, to be looked at or be exposed to view, to purpose or plan. Literally, prosthesis carries the idea of placing before or setting before and so means the setting forth of a thing or the placing of it in view.
In secular Greek, prothesis meant setting forth something in public. In NT usage, prothesis refers to the name given to the shewbread (loaves of presentation) in the Temple which was ‘exposed before God.’ The other major NT meaning of prothesis is purpose, which is something set up as an object or end to be attained. Purpose describes a fixed intention in doing something or the reason for which something is done or for which something exists. Thus, it presupposes deliberation upon a course of action, and the determination to carry it through. Here in 2 Timothy God’s purpose refers to His plan and grace as the means of accomplishing that plan. The fact that the God we serve is purposeful, should be a source comfort to our soul. He is not haphazard, hit or miss, but always on target and on time.
Bible Facts
Abraham lied twice about Sarah being his wife – once to the Egyptians (Gen. 12:11-13), and again to Abimelech, King of Gerar (Gen. 20:2).
Bible Trivia
How did Abimelech, king of the Philistines knew that Rebekah was Isaac’s wife?
**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who is the first woman in Scripture to wear a veil? Rebekah (Gen. 24:65).
That’s in the Bible
“Lord have mercy”
“Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt” (Psalm 123:3 KJV).
The expression to “Lord have mercy” is commonly used as an exclamation of help or astonishment. However, this Biblical expression had a literal meaning for King David who wanted God’s mercy granted unto him continually. Pleading for mercy occurs often in courtrooms. Sometimes mercy is granted and sometimes not. Yet God who is the righteous Judge of all, always grants mercy to those who sincerely ask for it. “Lord have mercy” has been so overused that many do not realize it is a plea for God to shed His mercy on us because of our sins. If you don’t have the Lord’s mercy, don’t leave this earth without it, or “Lord have mercy!”
Did You Know – Christian History
Robert Murray M’Cheyne (McCheyne) was born May 21, 1813 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Preacher, pastor, and poet, M’Cheyne was a man of deep piety and prayer. He was also noted for writing many letters. In a letter dated March 9, 1843, M’Cheyne states, “You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then He is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, a rock rising above the storm.” M’Cheyne also designed a widely used system for reading through the Bible in one year. The plan entails reading the New Testament and the Psalms through twice a year, and the Old Testament through once. This program is recommended by several Bible publishers, including the English Standard Version and the New English Translation
A Little Humor
On their way to a justice of the peace to get married, a couple has a fatal car accident. The couple is now sitting outside Heaven’s gate waiting on St. Peter to do an intake. While waiting, they wonder if they could possibly get married in Heaven. St. Peter finally shows up and they ask him. St. Peter says, “I don’t know, this is the first time anyone has ever asked. Let me go find out,” and he leaves. The couple sits for a couple of months and begins to wonder if they really should get married in Heaven, what with the eternal aspect of it all. “What if it doesn’t work out?” they wonder. “Are we stuck together forever?” St. Peter returns after yet another month, looking somewhat bedraggled. “Yes, you can get married in Heaven,” he informs the couple. “Great,” replied the couple. “But what if things don’t work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?” Red-faced, St. Peter slams his clipboard on the ground! “What’s wrong?” asked the frightened couple. “Come on!” St. Peter exclaims. “It took me three months to find a priest up here! Do you have any idea how long it’s going to take me to find a lawyer!?”
Thought Provoking Church Sign
“We need more than a new start – we need a new heart!”
