Topical Bible: Offerings: Required to Be: Brought to the Place Appointed of God

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In the biblical tradition, offerings hold a significant place as acts of worship, devotion, and obedience to God. The requirement for offerings to be brought to a specific place appointed by God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of order, reverence, and divine instruction in worship practices.

Old Testament Context

The concept of bringing offerings to a designated place is rooted in the Old Testament, where God provided explicit instructions to the Israelites regarding the location and manner of their sacrifices. In Deuteronomy 12:5-6 , God commands, "But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His Name there for His dwelling. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks."

This directive underscores the centralization of worship in a location chosen by God, which was initially the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 25-27, was a portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites during their wilderness journey. It was the place where God’s presence dwelt and where the Israelites were to bring their offerings.

With the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon, as recorded in 1 Kings 8, the centralization of worship became more permanent. The Temple became the focal point for sacrifices and offerings, as it was the place where God's name dwelled. This is further affirmed in 2 Chronicles 7:12 , where the LORD says to Solomon, "I have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice."

Significance of the Appointed Place

The requirement to bring offerings to a specific place highlights several theological and practical aspects:

1. Divine Authority and Order: By designating a specific place for offerings, God established a system of worship that was orderly and under His authority. This prevented the Israelites from adopting pagan practices and ensured that their worship was directed solely to the LORD.

2. Unity of Worship: Centralizing offerings in one location fostered a sense of unity among the Israelites. It was a communal act that brought the people together in worship and reinforced their identity as God's chosen people.

3. Holiness and Reverence: The appointed place was considered holy because it was where God's presence dwelled. Bringing offerings to this place was an act of reverence, acknowledging God's holiness and the sanctity of worship.

4. Covenantal Relationship: The act of bringing offerings to the designated place was a tangible expression of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It was a reminder of their obligations under the covenant and God's faithfulness to them.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of a specific place for offerings evolves with the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself becomes the ultimate offering, fulfilling the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. In John 4:21-24 , Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman, saying, "Believe Me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."

This shift signifies that worship is no longer confined to a physical location but is centered on Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However, the principle of bringing offerings to God with reverence and obedience remains, as believers are called to offer their lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

In summary, the requirement for offerings to be brought to the place appointed by God underscores the importance of divine instruction, unity, and reverence in worship. While the physical location of worship has transformed with the New Covenant, the underlying principles continue to guide the faithful in their devotion to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 12:6
And thither you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 27:6
And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptural Types.
... It was required by the law that all the sacrificial ... Thus the breast of the
peace-offerings was always waved, and ... the mercy-seat seven times, he brought the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

part 2
... much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12 ... When the subject of tithing
is brought before the Lord's ... the people began to bring the offerings into the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

Of the Law.
... I did not command you, when I brought you out ... appear before me; for who hath required
these things ... and offered sacrifices and whole burnt-offerings, and made ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

Letter xix. --(For 347. ) Coss. Rufinus, Eusebius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... with them, saying by Isaiah, Who hath required these of ... them in the day that I brought
them out ... land of Egypt, concerning whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xix for 347 coss rufinus.htm

part 1
... the human mind itself to have brought a bleeding ... Abel, Noah, Abraham, presented bleeding
offerings unto Jehovah ... creatures: that the Most High required just such ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view ... darkness, to continue their useless
sacrifices and offerings. ... holy place, all Israel were required to gather ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view ... darkness to continue their useless
sacrifices and offerings. ... holy place, all Israel were required to gather ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... to this work, and even then they required the aid ... was no man, and therefore his own
arm brought salvation; he ... This was done, not by many offerings, but by one ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

The Day of Atonement
... and all the offices that were required, and that ... to be slaughtered, besides the burnt
offerings of thanksgiving ... before the Lord, and was not brought into the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... assuredly, He would not have required offerings of which ... But formerly people were
required not only to ... becoming animate, they die if brought forth prematurely ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm