Jump start # 812

Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.”

Our passage today is taken from the Law and concerns what God expected Israel to do for worship. Every male was to gather when God designated. They were to do this three times a year.

That tells us that worship is not about our convenience or comfort but to the glory of God. When this was first written, Israel was together. They journey together through the wilderness. Later, as they took the land God promised, they began to spread out. By the time the New Testament was written, the Jewish people had spread long and far. This passage would be difficult for some. It meant, three times a year, that they had to travel to Jerusalem. That journey, for some, would be long and expensive.

This passage also includes, “they shall not appear before the Lord empty– handed.” It was not enough that they came to the place of worship, they were to bring something. The worship of ancient Israel included sacrificing lambs. Do not come empty handed.

I like that phrase. Do not come empty-handed. That expression ought to touch our hearts and make us reflect as well. Do we come to worship “empty handed?” Do we come with “nothing” to give to the Lord?

Consider a few things that ought to be in our hands:

• A Bible. Bringing a Bible helps us. The Bible will be read and studied. Teachers and preachers will give insight into verses. Seeing it in your own Bible is useful.

• A Pen. If you are going to bring a Bible, you might as well have a pen and something to write on. There may be words that you want to underline. They may be definitions that you want to remember. Learning involves seeing and writing. Imagine the college student who shows up with no books, no laptop, no pen, and no paper. If he does that the entire semester, he’ll probably not do well.
• An attitude. This is for God. The Psalmist said, “I was glad when they said, ‘let us go unto the house of the Lord.’” I was glad. Worship involves our insides. Showing up tired, stressed, preoccupied, bothered will kill our worship. We are to give and sing cheerfully. That’s attitude. Those with small families must really work at this. Getting to bed early on Saturday and having everything ready for the morning helps. When a person shows up for worship and they don’t have a good attitude, they will not accomplish much, get much out of it, nor praise the Lord. Do not come empty-handed. Bring a great attitude.
• Some money. Ancient Israel gave. They came with money and lambs for the sacrifice. God wants His people today to give financially. Things costs. We know that. Give some thought to your giving. Have it prepared before hand. Do not come with empty hands.
• Bring the hand of someone else. Bring your family. Bring a friend. Come together. It is a joy to see families sitting together, often three generations, all worshipping God. They are passing on and teaching values and principles that are life changing. Worshipping as a family is great.

There is an interesting thing that happens with worship. We come with full hands and leave with full hearts. Worship encourages, reminds, teaches and warns us. Worship causes us to get our order in order. Worship has a way of showing that we are not alone in our spiritual journey. Worship gives hope. Worship shows us that God is still upon the throne.

Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed! Great principle.

Roger