Worship in the Old Testament ​​​​​​​ an Example by

Worship in the Old Testament ​​​​​​​ From the first of the Mosaic Law on through the entire Old Testament, man is reminded time and again that he Lord God is the only deserving recipient of his worship (Ex. 20:2-3). It is also worth mentioning that God made it explicitly clear how He is to be worshipped including details on where to worship, how to worship, what to bring in worship and even what to do. God did not want the Israelites to take up foreign forms of worship. He ordered that all places of worshipping foreign gods be destroyed (Deut. 12:2 3). This section explores how worship was conducted in the Old Testament. Need essay sample on "Worship in the Old Testament " topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed College Students Frequently Tell EssayLab professionals: How much do I have to pay someone to write my paper today? Specialists advise: Find Your Helping Hand! Buy Essay Online Writing Service Pay For Essay Writing Services Buy Essays Cheap God made it clear through the scripture that the people of Israel (who were the chosen people) were not to worship from just anywhere. Deut. 12:5 says, "But you are to seek the place of the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His name there for His dwelling. To that place you must go". God was not to be worshipped anyhow but very specific instructions were given. He only allowed them to worship in a haphazard manner before they settled in the Promised Land but after they had settled, a designated place would serve as the place for worship where all were to go (Deut. 12:8-12). Later in the lifetime of David, Jerusalem became the official place of worship. The Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. It was Solomon however who built the designated temple for God (1 Kings 6ff). Even the temple dimensions were very specifically given by God. Later on in the New Testament we see people gathering together in Jerusalem as the place to worship especially during f estivals (Acts Chapter 2). Elsewhere in John 4:20 the Samaritan woman questions Jesus about the designated place of worship according to the Jewish faith i.e. Jerusalem. Again in Acts 8:27 the Ethiopian Eunuch was said to have been coming from worshipping in Jerusalem. God again made it clear that the children of Israel were not to worship Him in the way the heathens worshipped their gods (Deut. 12:4). Their worship was to be at a designated place. They were to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and gifts and what they had vowed to give as well as the 1st born of their herds. Besides there were other sacrifices that were only offered by priests as sin offering for atonement of the peoples sins. Worship in the Old Testament was characterized by feasting. People were to eat and drink during worship as they rejoiced before the Lord 12:7. Blood was usually poured beside the altar and symbolized forgiveness of sins. Later in the New Testament Jesus blood confirmed the new covenant (Heb. 9:11-28). There were various feats that were to be marked by worship. These include the feast of weeks, feast of trumpets, first fruits, feast of tabernacles, the Passover, the Sabbath or day of rest and many others in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Th ese days were marked with different kinds of sacrifices and offerings as well as rituals In the Old Testament worship was conducted by priests who were also permitted to enter the most Holy place or the altar and offer sacrifices of atonement. Priests were usually chosen form the tribe of Levi. They were mediators between God and man. People who were not priests were not allowed to offer sacrifices to God. This is seen when Gaul the king of Israel got important and decided to go offer sacrifices to God ostensibly because Samuel the priest was late in coming. The consequence of this sin was so grave it marked the downfall of King Saul (I Samuel 13:8-14). The priests were meant to enter the most holy place only after consecrating themselves. They offered sacrifices of atonement on their one behalf and also on behalf of the people. Additionally they were special priestly robes that were worn during this time. In the Old Testament God laid down many laws that ere to be followed to the better. These laws were very specific and were very much a part of worship. These laws were meant to show the Israelites how to live with their neighbours and also how to conduct their own lives. Some of the laws were to protest them from diseases while others were to help form their characters.God wanted them to live disciplined lives and considered obedience to these laws as paramount. Obedience was thus an important aspect of worship. The people were also to consecrate themselves in case of sins against God before their worship could be acceptable to God. God commanded the Israelites to offer sacrifice to Him. Animals, as well as farm harvest, were acceptable before God. The animals to be offered to God were to be the very best. Not old and without any kind of blemish. Additionally the animals were to be the firstborns and the harvest was to be the fist fruits of the land. Some of the sacrifices would of c ourse go to taking care of the priests needs. But even this was to be done according to the specific rites laid by God. Worship in the Old Testament time was an elaborate affair with strict guidelines to be followed from when to worship to how to go about it. The priests who were to conduct it were also to observe several rules and be in the right attire. Besides the place of worship was also very specifically designated. The worship was marked by people getting to hear what God willed with their lives. The priests mediated in this process and related Gods wish to the people and vice versa. Jesus contrasted the new way of worship with the Old Testament way. When He asserted people would no longer have to go a certain place but were to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). In Hebrews we also see another contrast where the sacrifices were to stop because Jesus sacrificed himself once and for all. Today the worship in the New Testament emphasizes sincerity and self-denial but the rules and regulations that were being observed in the Old Testament are not key to worship in the New Testament. Reference The Holy Bible; Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, I Samuel, Hebrews, John and Acts. Childs, B.S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Fortress, 1979. A canonical approach to the text and books. Soggin, J. Alberto. Introduction to the Old Testament. OTL. Westminster, 1989. The current standard in place of Eissfeldt. Sailhammer, John H. Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Zondervan, 1995. Evangelical. Structured study on how to do Old Testament theology.

Renn. Manners essays

Renn. Manners essays Societies and cultures are often defined by the behaviours and idiosyncrasies that are unique to a group of people. Just as this rule generally applies to the modern world, so does it to the past and more specifically the time of rebirth in western society (AKA the Renaissance.) Just before and during this period, the process of urbanization took place across Europe, as surplus agriculture (as a result of new technology and methods) allowed the former rural classes to move to developing metropolitan cities. The result of this process was inevitably that people would interact with one another on a more regular basis than before, and the old medieval debate about the contemplative and secluded life versus the active and social life seemed to be resolved. In his book Galateo, Giovanni Della Casa addresses the issues that displease him in the developing active life and attempts to codify a set of manners to deal with these issues. On the surface, this treatise provides many examples of social behaviour that are familiar with us in the modern world, but if the reader carefully examines how these manners fit into the context of the Renaissance, certain cultural assumptions of the time period are hidden just beneath the surface. In order to understand the context in which the book was written, we must first examine how the author fit into this exciting period of change. Giovanni Della Casa was an Archbishop, and influential individual as a diplomat for the Vatican. Despite his ecclesiastical background, Della Casas writings prove to the reader that the general mentality of the Renaissance (especially in the middle class) was the overarching cultural assumption that viewed the active life as worthy aspiration. The Galateo covertly expresses humanistic ideals, republicanism and praise for the public man, giving the reader a clear impression of what the culture of the time was like. The first way that Della C...

International Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

International Economics - Assignment Example The expansion of businesses in the country will lead to growth of the economy through building of industries and infrastructure. Creation of industries and construction of infrastructure will result in the creation of job opportunities to the citizens of that country.Therefore, improving their living standards and the economy (BalinÃŒÆ'o, TomaÃŒ s and Cottarelli, pp. 45-50). The yen, on the other hand, is weaker compared to U.S dollar. The situation may pose different effects on the economy of Japan. The funding cost of government will be high in the country. Since flows from outside the country often go into local government bonds, the flow will higher yield, therefore, raising money at a higher rate in the market. The little currency will trigger an increase in taxes, which might cause inflation hence lowering value of the economy. The import rates will be high, therefore, discouraging growth of local industries. On the other hand, a weaker currency enables a country to increase its competitive advantage internationally. Since the currency is weak, goods from the country will be in high demand hence increase sales of local industries thereby improving the economy (Nelson, E, and Buckland, pp. 71-75). According to the report, U.S job growth has increased from 214,000 to 230,000. The increase in employment in the U.S is because of currency growth. The currency increases in value, employment increase in the country. The increase in employment opportunities leads to growth of the economy due to increasing in income of employees. In addition, the increase in employment may be attributable to the expansion of businesses in the country. Since the industries are expanding, it translates to an improvement in the country’s economy and development of people living standards. The currency improves as economy of the state improves, as investors are attracted to investing in the country. More investors in the country will mean more