OceanSide church of Christ
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NOT ANY OLD GOAT WILL DO
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Our lesson title is based
upon Deuteronomy 17:1.
Thou shalt not
sacrifice unto the Lord thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish or any
evilfavoredness: for that is an
abomination unto the Lord thy God.
1.
Isn’t it interesting that
the word “goat” is not found in this verse?
2.
There are some commentators
who argue that the word translated “sheep” should be
“goat.”
a.
The lexicographers say that the Hebrew term can be
either.
b.
All of the notable translations have the word “sheep” in this
verse.
B.
The reality is that not any
old bullock or ox or sheep or goat will do when it was used in sacrifice to
God.
C.
In this lesson we will
examine Deuteronomy 17:1 and make some very practical applications to our
worship.
I.
WORSHIP IS PERSONAL
A.
The emphasis here is on the
word “thou.”
B.
This command involved every
one of the individual Israelites.
C.
In like manner, God still
deals with each individual person, even when it comes to our corporate
worship.
1.
You cannot worship for me; I
cannot worship for you.
2.
Sending your family to
worship while you stay home does not “cover” your responsibility to
worship.
3.
I
Corinthians 11:28.
But let a man
examine himself, and so let him eat
of that bread, and drink of that cup.
D.
According to Romans
14:12: “…every one of us shall give an account of himself to
God.”
II. WORSHIP INVOLVES
PROHIBITIONS
A.
Here, the emphasis is on the
words: “thou shalt
not.”
1.
These words involve a
prohibition. God was telling the
Israelites what they could NOT do.
2.
In this case, the Israelites
could not offer a bullock or sheep which had a blemish or evilfavoredness in
it.
a.
A blemish involved a physical defect.
b.
Evilfavoredness involved anything that is bad. It would include internal problems that
the animal might have.
3.
God did not want the junk, the left-overs, and the worthless (See Malachi
1:7-8).
B.
The worship of God still
involves prohibitions today (John 4:24).
God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1.
Worship is to be in harmony
with truth.
2.
Truth, according to John
17:17, is the Word of God.
Sanctify them
through they truth: they word is
truth.
3.
If we are offering something
to God in worship that is not found in God’s Word, it is
prohibited.
a.
Instrumental music.
b.
Elements other than the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine on the
Lord’s Table.
c.
Hand-clapping and humming.
d.
Women preaching and teaching instead of being silent in the
churches.
e.
Testimonials.
C.
There are many people who do
not like prohibitions. They do not
like to be told they cannot do something.
They tell us one can do these things as long as one is sincere. They need to study the account of Cain
and Abel in Genesis 4:1-7, esp. vs. 5-7a.
But unto Cain
and to his offering he had not respect.
And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art
thou wroth? And why is thy
countenance fallen? If thou doest
well, shalt thou not be accepted?
And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
III. WORSHIP IS
PRICEY
A.
Our focus here centers on
the word “sacrifice.”
B.
When the worshipper came
before God, he brought the best of the flocks and herds, and killed it before
the Lord. Something of value,
something that cost something, was given to the Lord.
C.
We are reminded of the words
of David when he was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (II Sam.
24:24).
And the king
said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings
unto the Lord my God of that which cost me nothing.
D.
Our worship today is not
nearly as cumbersome as it was under the Old Covenant.
1.
We do not have to travel by
foot great distances. We do not
have to be burdened with animals.
We do not have to make sure we have various ingredients for the
sacrifices.
2.
Yet, individuals want
convenience, simplicity, and ease in their worship.
a.
Less time spent.
b.
Sloppy dress.
c.
Let others do the “performing.”
d.
The left-overs in giving.
IV. WORSHIP IS
POINTED
A.
Note to whom the sacrifice
is directed: “…unto the Lord they
God…”
B.
The sacrifice being offered
was being offered to the greatest Being in the Universe, the God of heaven
(Deut. 4:39).
Know therefore
this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven
above, and upon earth beneath:
there is none else.
C.
Worship is still directed to
the One who dwells within the heavens (John 4:24).
God is a
Spirit: and they that worship
him…
D.
God is still as powerful,
majestic, glorious, and awesome as He has ever been.
1.
He is deserving of our
worship.
2.
Our worship is for Him. It is not to tantalize and fulfill our
fleshly desires.
V. WORSHIP CAN
BE PERVERTED
A.
It was possible for the
Israelites to pervert the worship of God.
If animals were offered with blemish and evilfavoredness, worship was
perverted.
B.
The prophet Malachi issued a rebuke to
Ye offer
polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In hat ye say, The table of the Lord is
contemptible. And if ye offer the
blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?
And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not
evil?...
C. We,
too, can pervert the worship of God.
1.
Changing the Lord’s Day assembly to Saturday night.
2.
Incorporating a common meal with the Lord’s Supper.
3.
Using choirs and quartets and solos in the worship.
4.
The use of skits, plays, and dramatic performances instead of a preaching
the Word of God.
5.
Adding instruments of music to our praise in song.
VI. WORSHIP IS PROVEN
BY GOD
A.
God is the One who judges,
scrutinizes, and proves our worship.
1.
It can be
acceptable.
2.
It can be an
abomination.
…for that is an
abomination unto the Lord they God.
B.
The standard is not one’s
sincerity. It is not one’s wants,
likes, desires, or feelings.
C.
If we do what God wants, as
God wants, when God wants, and where He wants, we will be acceptable to
Him.
CONCLUSION
A.
Worship is homage and
adoration being given to God.
B.
When man approaches God, it
is a serious and sobering matter.
C.
God wants it done one way,
His way.
1.
Those who come unto Him His
way will be accepted.
2.
Those who do not are
disgusting in His sight.