Reverence for
the House of God
Why did God
instruct His people to build a
sanctuary?
“Then have them
make a sanctuary for me, and I
will dwell among them.”
Exodus 25:8.
How did He tell
them to regard this dwelling place of
God?
“Observe my
Sabbaths and have reverence for my
sanctuary. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:30.
What does the Lord
say of things dedicated to His
service?
“But nothing that
a man owns and devotes to the Lord
– whether man or animal or
family land – may be sold or
redeemed; everything so devoted is most
holy to the Lord.”
Leviticus 27:28.
When God met Moses at
the burning bush, why did He tell him
to take off his shoes?
“Do not come any
closer,” God said. “Take
off your sandals, for the place
where you are standing is holy
ground.” Exodus 3:5. (See
also Joshua 5:15.)
Note – The
presence of God made the place holy.
Wherever God meets with His people,
that place is holy.
When the tabernacle
was reared anciently, what occurred?
“Then the cloud
covered the Tent of Meeting, and the
glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34.
(See also 2 Chronicles 5:13,14.)
Why should all show
respect for the house of worship?
“But the Lord
is in his holy temple; let all
the earth be silent before him.”
Habakkuk 2:20.
Note - A failure to
recognize this fact leads many to
treat the house of worship without
due respect. Nothing seems more
appropriate to divine worship than
that of awe and silence should
pervade the place of worship, and
that only the sound of prayer, praise
and thanksgiving to God should be
heard within its walls. Both upon
entering and just before leaving the
house of God it is highly appropriate
and a most excellent practice for
each worshiper to bow the head for a
few moments in silent prayer.
God’s
Frown Upon Irreverence
How
did Christ manifest His regard for
the sanctuary of God’s house?
“Upon reaching
Jerusalem Jesus entered the temple
area and began driving out those who
were buying and selling there. He
overturned the tables of the
moneychangers and the benches of
those selling doves, and would not
allow anyone to carry merchandise
through the temple courts. And as he
taught them, he said, “It
is written: “’My house will
be called a house of prayer for all
nations’? But you have made it
‘a den of robbers.’”
Mark 11:15-17.
Note – This
cleansing occurred at the close of
Christ’s public ministry. There
was a similar cleansing also at the
beginning of His ministry. (See John
2:13-17.)
What punishment did
God bring upon Nadab and Abihu for
offering strange, or common, fire in
the tabernacle service?
“Aaron’s
sons Nadab and Abihu took their
censers, put fire in them and added
incense; and they offered
unauthorized fire before the Lord,
contrary to his command. So fire
came out from the presence of the
Lord and consumed them, and they died
before the Lord.” Leviticus
10:1,2.
Note – This, like
the two cleansings of the Temple by
Christ at the beginning and close of
His ministry (John 2:13-17; Matthew
21:12-16), shows that God is
particular in regard to the worship
and conduct of the worshipers in His
house. No performance or exercise
should be permitted in any church or
building especially dedicated to
God’s service which is not in
keeping with its sacred character, or
conducive to reverence for God and
for holy things. It should not be a
place for feasting, visiting, or
worldly entertainment and amusement.
Reverence
and Godly Fear
For
what purpose are we warned to have
grace?
“Therefore, since
we are receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, let us be thankful,
and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and awe, for our God is
a consuming fire.” Hebrews
12:28,29.
In
what spirit did the psalmist say he
would worship?
“But I, by your
great mercy, will come into your
house; in reverence will I bow
down toward your holy temple.”
Psalm 5:7.
What
instruction has Solomon given
respecting our conduct in the house
of God?
“Guard your steps
when you go into the house of God. Go
near to listen rather than to offer
the sacrifice of fools, who do not
know that they do wrong.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1.
Who is present in
all assemblies met in Christ’s
name?
“For where two
or three come together in my name, there
am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20.
