Chapter 2

Worship of God during the Old Testament times

Learning Objectives: Worship is man’s natural response to God – the Creator and
the Protector. Not only Christians, but all people give importance to worship.
Let us understand the significance of worship and the methods of worship
followed in the Old Testament. Thus we shall enrich our spiritual life.
Verse to be Memorized: “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion and unto thee the
vow shall be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh
come (Psalm 65:1-2).
Learning Aids: The Holy Bible, The Liturgical Book of the Holy Eucharist, Book of
Common Prayer.

Introduction
Each person expresses his faith and trust in God the creator through worship.
The consciousness and experience of God’s presence prompts a person to worship
God. A person’s mind, body and tongue are involved in true worship. Jews were a
community who imbibed this spirit of worship. They worshipped the one God who
created sky and the earth. We too worship this One True God. God incarnated in
human form as Lord Jesus Christ and continues to lead us by his Holy Spirit. Hence
our worship is a continuation and improvement on the Old Testament worship. In
order to understand the meaning and relevance our worship, we need to understand
the worship during the Old Testament period. Let us learn about the Old Testament
worship in this chapter.

Reading Passage
The Jews had compiled the Holy Bible in order to use it in their worship. Some
of the Old Testament books were meant to be read on certain festivals (Eg. Song of
Songs on the Festival of Pass over). Psalms were meant to be sung with the

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accompaniment of musical instruments during worship. Jews used to read scriptures
in an atmosphere of prayer and worship at the Tabernacle (Temple) and renew
their covenant with God.

Pause and Reflect

1. Bring out the relationship between our worship and the Old Testament
worship.
2. What was primary use of the Old Testament Books?
3. Give a few examples for the recital of certain Old Testament books on
certain special occasions.

Old Testament worship during the times of Tribal Leaders

The Book of Genesis doesn’t mention about priests during the period of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Tribal Fathers used to submit their offerings directly
to Yahweh (Genesis 12:7-9, 22:9-14, 28:18, 33:19-20). In the story of creation, a
particular ‘time’, the seventh day and not a particular ‘place’ was set apart for
worship. But during the times of Tribal Fathers a particular ‘place’ was set apart
for worship. We see that wherever a person had God-experience, that place became
the place of worship. Moreover that person himself became the priest and made
offerings. What we see here is a style of worship centred on ‘God-experience’
only and not on particular place, time or person. But the details of offerings and
worship during this period are not available to us. Places like Bethel, Gilgal and
Penniel are mentioned as places of worship. All these are places where the Fathers
communicated with God.
During the Exodus from Egypt and after settling down in Canan, God
commanded the Israelites through Moses to build up a place of worship. Thus
the Tabernacle was constructed. God gave detailed instructions regarding its
construction (its length, breadth, height, materials to be used etc.) (Exodus 25-
27). The Book of Levites gives instructions about the sacrifices and the ritualise
and offerings to be made there. They were asked to make burnt offerings, meat-
offerings, sin-offerings, trespass-offerings and peace-offerings on prescribed days
and at prescribed times. The priests from the house of Aaron (the Aaronides)
were be anointed to make these offerings (We shall learn about it in detail in the
next chapter). The Levites were appointed as assistants. When the Israelites moved,
and encamp at a place, the Tabernacle was to be raised in the middle of the camps.
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God who reveals his presence as cloud and fire would reside in this tabernacle
amidst His people. The word ‘Shekinah’ indicates God encamping amidst His
people. The exodus of the people and their camping are described in connection
with the cloud moving from the tabernacle. Here the tabernacle becomes a place
of worship. It is not a fixed spot for worship, but a portable arrangement specially
set apart for making offerings and prayers. The significance of places like Bethel,
Gilgal and Penniel where the Tribal Fathers could communicate directly with God,
slowly dissipated.
When the Israelites settled down in the promised land, they placed the Ark of
the Lord at Shiloh. Thus Shiloh became the place of worship. In this case too the
place of worship has no particular significance. The place where the Ark of the
Lord which represented divine presence stood, was understood to be the place of
worship.

Pause and Reflect

1. What are the prescriptions regarding burnt offerings (Levites 1) meat-
offerings (Levi. 2) peace-offerings (Levi. 3) sin-offerings (Levi. 4) and
trespass-offerings (Levi. 5:14 onwards) given in the Holy Bible?
2. What is the Hebraic word for ‘God encamping amidst His people?’

Worship during Kingship

The mode of worship followed by the Israelites after settling down in the
Promised Land were continued during the period of Judges and the initial phase
of kingship. King David, the second king of Israel desired to construct a permanent
place of worship. He brought the Ark of the Lord from Shiloh to Jerusalem with
great revelry. However he could not build a temple for the Lord. King Solomon
who succeeded King David built the Temple of Jerusalem and placed the Ark of
the Lord permanently in it. Thereafter the Temple of Jerusalem became the
permanent location of divine presence. The worship of God and all offerings to
God had to be made only in Jerusalem. The priests who officiated the worship at
the Temple were appointed by the king and the concept of “priesthood only for
the tribe of Levi” changed. For example priest Zadok appointed by King David
was not a Levite. Prophets had God’s calling (Eg. Isaiah 6, Amos 7:14). The king
will be anointed by either the high-priest or the prophet (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13; 1
Kings 1:38-40). However the priest was appointed by the king (See the next
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chapter). Jerusalem became the city of God and worship became centralised in
the Temple of Jerusalem.
When Israel was divided into two kingdoms, one in the North and the other in
the South, worship centred at Jerusalem became a challenge to the very existence
of the Northern kingdom. The Jews had to come to Jerusalem at least once a year
and had to make their offerings. This law became a problem for the Northern
Kingdom which had its capital at Samaria. The kings of the North feared that the
subjects will deviate from their fidelity to the king. This led to the revival of certain
ancient mounts of worship like Bethel and Gilgal.
The centralization of worship caused a shift from sanctity of the hour of worship
to sanctity of the place of worship.

Worship during the captivity

Israel fell into Babylonian captivity in BC 587. The Temple of Jerusalem
was destroyed and the practice of making offerings to God came to an end.
It was impossible to make offerings to God while they were taken away as
captives. Under these circumstances, the Jews reviewed their life and forms
of worship. During the period of captivity a new form of worship developed,
ie. worship at the synagogue. There were no sacrifices the synagogue. Instead
they prayed to God, recited hymns (Psalms) and learned the interpretation
of the scriptures. Because of this new form of worship, the role of the priest
declined. The synagogue was under the charge of an elder or a precentor
(cantor). There would be readings from the scriptures. If the elder of the
synagogue was convinced that someone could preach, he would be invited
to preach. Moreover there would be a Chaburah meal or fellowship at the
dining table. If the priest was present there would also be a Final Benediction
(known as the Aaronic Benediction). These were the features of the new
form of worship.

Pause and Reflect

1. How did the Jewish worship become centralised? At what stage did this
centralisation happen?
2. How was the worship at the synagogue different from the worship at the
Temple?
3. What led to the revival of ancient Mounts of Offerings?

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Worship after the captivity
Following the proclamation by Parsi King Cyrus in BC 538, Israelites
returned from exile and rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem as well as the walls of
the city. As a result, worship at the Temple sacrifices were revived (Refer to
Ezra and Nehemiah). However worship at the synagogue also continued. During
the life and public ministry of Jesus Christ, both these forms of worship – that
is, sacrificial worship at the Temple and prayers at the synagogue – were in
existence.

Conclusion
Worship is man’s natural response to God that emanates from the depths of his
heart. Instead, it should be vibrant and relevant to the historical and cultural contexts
in which the worshipper is placed. The Old Testament worship gives us a picture of
the vibrant forms of worship. We should also note that the various forms of worship
evolved without deviating from the fundamental faith.

Let us think
1. Do you think that forms of worship should be relevant and vibrant? Explain.
2. What were the two forms of worship existing during the period of Jesus Christ?
What were the features of these two forms?
3. Find out the components of Old Testament worship included in the worship of
our church.

Activities
1. Read the Book of Levites and prepare a diary entry on the offerings made at the
Tabernacle of Yahweh. Also write the prescriptions regarding the manner of
these offerings.
2. Refer to the Holy Bible and find out God’s commandments regarding the
construction of the Tabernacle.
3. Participate in church services with devotion.
4. Understand the meaning and significance of the hymns, prayers and signs used
in our worship.
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 Hymn
(Agnimayanmar aare nokki…)
The One on whom – fi-e-ry an-gels trembling gaze,
That One as Bread – and Wine upon – the altar see;
As angels clad – in lightning are – enflamed by Him,
So those who eat – them have their fa-ces made as bright
The secrets of – the Son are for – the angels fire;
So witnesseth – Isaiah too – who them perceived;
Those mysteries – within God’s bo-som deep concealed,
For Adam’s sons – dispensed upon – the table, see!

Our Decision
We would try to lead an life of worship
as instructed by the church.

Let us Pray
(This prayer is given in the special prayers in the Book of Common Prayer)
O Lord Jesus Christ, You are full of light… Since You are the True Light
that illuminates the entire creation, we see the light in Your Light. O Lord…
You are the rays of God the Father… Illuminate us by the brightness of
Your Light. Amen. (Find out the hymn which contains the theme of this
prayer)

Further Reading
Read and meditate on the biblical passages scheduled for this week.

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