How does this verse connect to the importance of reverence in worship? Key Verse “Now the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place in Gibeon.” (1 Chronicles 21:29) The Tabernacle’s Placement Underscores Holiness • The tabernacle and altar were not randomly located; they occupied the “high place in Gibeon,” a site set apart from common life. • God had earlier said, “And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). • By situating worship in a consecrated space, the Lord teaches that He is wholly distinct and must be approached on His terms, never casually. Reverence Requires God-Appointed Means • The verse reminds readers that Moses’ tabernacle and the bronze altar were still the only legitimate center for sacrifice. • Unauthorized worship had deadly results (see Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10:1-3). • In David’s day, the plague stopped only after he followed divine instruction and offered sacrifice on Ornan’s threshing floor—an act that upheld, not replaced, God’s prescribed reverence. Fear and Awe Shape David’s Approach • David “was afraid of the sword of the angel of the LORD” (21:30), illustrating that healthy fear guards against flippant worship. • Psalm 96:9 echoes, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.” • Awe does not repel but rather draws the heart to purity and obedience. From Threshing Floor to Temple: A Legacy of Reverent Worship • The threshing floor purchased here becomes the future site of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). • God’s choice of this place ties reverence to sacrifice and atonement, anticipating the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. • Hebrews 10:19-22 urges believers to enter the holy places “by the blood of Jesus,” maintaining reverent confidence, never presumption. Scripture Echoes on Reverence • Ecclesiastes 5:1 — Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. • 2 Samuel 6:6-7 — Uzzah struck down for irreverence near another threshing floor. • Hebrews 12:28 — “Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” • John 4:24 — True worship is “in spirit and in truth,” anchoring reverence in heart as well as form. Living It Out Today • Set apart space and time for gathered worship, recognizing God’s prescribed order. • Prepare the heart before entering corporate worship—confession, meditation on Scripture, and focus on God’s holiness. • Approach the Lord’s Table or any ordinance with gratitude and gravity, remembering the cost of atonement. • Allow healthy fear of the Lord to direct daily conduct, fostering obedience that honors His name. |
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