The Amazing Detail of Worshipping God in the Bible

Probably one of the more astounding chapters of the Bible is Exodus 36:8-38. This is a very complex and detailed description for the building of the Old Testament Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the portable temple where the people could meet and offer their sacrifices to God. There is so much detail in this passage that it is almost impossible to read. It is simply overwhelming. Try reading it and see what I mean. The question is: why would God be so interested in making this portable Temple so exact?

It even gets worse in the Book of Leviticus. Except for a few chapters, the entire book is God speaking and giving extremely detailed instructions on animal sacrifices, the priesthood, and various laws for the people. Many people skip Leviticus because the detail becomes overwhelming and seems to have no meaning for today. Again the questions is: why all the extreme detail when it comes to worshipping God?

It is common today for people to say that HOW we approach and worship God is not important. God is fine with however we want to approach him. Sometimes we hear that all that matters is God's goodwill and acceptance of everyone and their way of 'worship'. If I worship in a church that is fine. If I worship outdoors in nature that is fine. God is sort of that old cosmic grandfather who is a bit senile and is happy with whatever one does. Just be good is all that he asks. This common view is as far from the scriptural view as one can get. The God of the Bible is extremely concerned as to how we approach and worship him as the Exodus 38 passage and Leviticus reveal. What is clear throughout the whole of the Bible is everything is on his terms and not ours. He simply does not accept doing whatever we want in relating to him. There are terms that are unchangeable.

This is also true of the New Testament. Jesus makes some very unnerving statements. He says, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (God the Father) except through me' (John 14.6). 'Whoever does not honour the Son (meaning Jesus) does not honour the Father who sent him' (John 5.23). 'Enter by the narrow gate (the Gospel gate): for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it' (Matthew 7.13-14). The way to everlasting life and fellowship with God is always on his terms and not ours. People, of course, get very angry with such statements, 'You Christians are so smug and arrogant. You think you the only ones that are right with God and are going to heaven'. This kind of a statement reveals an ignorance of God, They reject his supreme holiness and how serious our condition and situation is with him. We are rebels who deserve nothing but his judgment and this for all of eternity. Eternity here is the key. Anyone can also spend all eternity in everlasting fellowship with God, but how is this accomplished? I don't want to miss this, so I want detailed instructions as to what I have to do. I don't want generalized vague statements because the issue and the consequences are infinitely important. So God does make sure we know how. He cares for us too much to make vague, unclear instructions and we could not really worship a God who is so unclear and uncaring about such an important issue as everlasting life. So, God says, 'Here is the way. the way through Jesus, and is guaranteed, certain, and exact'. 'You can't miss it', says God. 'The way is clearly marked because it is MY way, and that way is through Jesus'.