The worship practices of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament, were multifaceted and deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen people. Central to this worship was the proclamation of God's Word, which can be understood as a form of preaching. This practice was not only a means of instruction but also a vital component of communal worship, serving to remind the Israelites of God's laws, promises, and their identity as His people.

Preaching in the Old Testament Context

The role of preaching in Israel's worship is evident in the ministry of the prophets, who were divinely appointed to deliver God's messages to the people. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were instrumental in calling Israel back to faithfulness, often addressing the nation in public settings. For instance, Isaiah 1:18-20 records God's invitation through the prophet: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

The reading and exposition of the Law were also central to Israel's worship. In Nehemiah 8, we see a clear example of this practice. Ezra the scribe stood on a platform and read from the Book of the Law of Moses from morning until midday, while the Levites helped the people understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:8 states, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, clearly and gave the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read."

The Synagogue and the Development of Preaching

As Israel's worship evolved, particularly during and after the Babylonian exile, the synagogue became a focal point for communal worship and the teaching of the Scriptures. The synagogue service included the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, followed by an exposition or sermon. This practice laid the groundwork for the New Testament church's emphasis on preaching.

Preaching as a Means of Covenant Renewal

Preaching in Israel's worship was not merely an intellectual exercise but a means of covenant renewal. Through the proclamation of God's Word, the people were called to repentance, faith, and obedience. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 underscores the importance of internalizing and teaching God's commandments: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The Role of Preaching in Maintaining Israel's Identity

Preaching served to maintain Israel's distinct identity as God's people. By regularly hearing the Word, the Israelites were reminded of their unique calling and the ethical and spiritual standards to which they were held. This is evident in the repeated calls to remember God's acts of deliverance and to live in accordance with His statutes, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 4:9-10 : "Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren."

In summary, the worship of the Church of Israel, as it pertained to preaching, was a dynamic and essential aspect of their religious life. It was through the proclamation of God's Word that the Israelites were instructed, corrected, and encouraged to live in faithful obedience to their covenant with the LORD.Nehemiah 8:4,5
And Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... the use of instrumental music was unknown in the Church. ... to the service of the God
of Israel, His own ... and New Testament formed a part of their stated worship. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

The Organization of the Apostolic Church.
... so strikingly exhibited in the nation of Israel, should still ... of the Church was much
the same as the worship of the ... and called the elders of the Church," [258:1 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the organization of.htm

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
... indeed without Israel's dispersion, the Church Universal would ... referred to the great
Messianic hope of Israel. ... ourselves the Synagogue, its worship, and teaching ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the synagogue at.htm

On the Church and Its Head
... aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers ... fallen; on this account, the
church is distinguished ... heretical;" with respect to divine worship, into "the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 18 on the church.htm

The Church.
... up righteousness, and contending for a divine and holy worship. ... being a nation, that
the name of Israel may be ... because it was set on fire; the church shall not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxi the church.htm

The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its ...
... should be competent to conduct the congregational worship. ... the apostles were officiating,
the church members were ... to the high priest of Israel""Sittest thou ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the extraordinary teachers.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... accordance with this meaning, the Greek Church, in all ... The world was made for their
[Israel's] sake." This ... would doubtless have told them to worship God] also ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... and fulfilled all the promises made to Israel, and that ... eating of meats offered in
idol worship is decided ... gift is the edification and upbuilding of the church. ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church.
... enormous vices, a polluted idolatrous worship, as bad as ... treated them as aliens from
Israel because they ... Sadducee, Christians in the Church, their Christianity ...
/.../seances historiques de genevethe national.htm

Christian David, 1690-1722.
... that the Pope was Antichrist, that the worship of saints ... him that they alone were
the true Israel of God. ... though the final end of the Brethren's Church had come ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii christian david 1690-1722.htm

Questions about the Church (All) | GotQuestions.org

What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church? | GotQuestions.org

Is there supposed to be only one church? | GotQuestions.org

Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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