Worship: Tabernacle and Festival Worship

When the tabernacle was built, an order of worship was established. The priests had their own ordained worship that would take place daily in the temple. There would also be offerings given by the people as well as festivals that were celebrated. These were all acts of worship. Let’s start with the offerings. 

There were five types of main offerings given at the tabernacle, sin, guilt, peace, freewill, and burnt offerings. These offerings were provided by God for the people to offer in response to different situations and circumstances in their lives. The burnt offering or the “going-up” offering, was offered to God as a symbol of complete surrender and restoration under God’s authority. The sin offering was offered for any sin done unintentionally that brought purity and unity back to the offer and God. The guilt offering was given when harm was done to someone by someone else. Payment was also given along with this sacrifice for restoring relationship with one another and God. The peace offering was a meal which celebrated a time of harmony and thanksgiving between the offeror and God. Freewill offerings were given as a thank you to God for his provisions and abundance of blessings. As we can see, these offerings serve a purpose in their own circumstances. Whether we are in times of peace, thankfulness, help, or times when we wronged someone else, we can worship God. All of these offerings reflect the need for harmony and peace between us, each other and God. Worship is a reflection of this need and desire. Therefore, asking for forgiveness, celebrating God’s blessings or surrendering a situation to God through prayer are all acts of worship. We may not offer animals or flour anymore, but we still offer God our very lives and we do this through various acts such as prayer, loving our neighbor and sharing a meal. 

The festivals of the ancient Israelites were also times of worship. I will explain each one briefly.  

• Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread- Passover recalls God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, when the angel of death “passed over” the firstborn of Israel. The Festival of Unleavened Bread emphasizes purity and readiness, as the Israelites left Egypt in a hurry without time for the bread to rise. Together, these festivals are acts of worship that reflect God’s saving power and faithfulness.
• The Festival of Firstfruits- This festival involves presenting the first portion of the harvest to God, acknowledging Him as the provider of all blessings. By offering the firstfruits, the Israelites expressed gratitude and trust in God’s continued provision.
• The Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)- This celebration marks the end of the grain harvest. It includes offerings and communal worship, symbolizing gratitude for God’s abundant provision and recognizing His role as sustainer.
• The Festival of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)- This day of rest, marked by trumpet blasts, calls the community to spiritual reflection and preparation for the Day of Atonement. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God’s sovereignty and invites repentance.
• The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)- This solemn day involves fasting, repentance, and the purification of the people and the sanctuary. It is an act of worship that centers on God’s mercy and the need for atonement through the high priest’s intercession.
• The Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot)- This festival commemorates God’s provision and presence during the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness. By dwelling in temporary shelters, the people remember their dependence on God and celebrate His faithfulness and abundance of blessings. 

These feasts and celebrations have important implications for worship. Whether they were committing their lives to God, remembering His saving acts, thanking him for blessings, or pleading for mercy and forgiveness, they are all acts of worship because they all glorify God and his character. When we humble ourselves and celebrate God for what he has done, we worship him whether in community or alone. The offerings and feasts are reminders that worship does include community, reflection, and interaction.