Deuteronomy 12:5-9 - Announcement Of Particular Laws.

Public worship.

A necessity of our spiritual life. Prompted by a community of privileges, interests, feelings, hopes, duties, temptations, aspirations; "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" ( Ephesians 4:3-7 ). It is required in it—

I. THAT GOD BE PRESENT WITH HIS PEOPLE . We meet in his Name. His presence is promised ( Matthew 18:20 ). Without that presence sought and obtained, worship is in vain.

II. THAT IT BE PURE AND SCRIPTURAL . Not "will-worship" ( Colossians 2:23 ); not corrupted by the ingrafting upon it of heathen superstitions. Christianity has often been thus corrupted. The papal mariolatry and worship of images, with the wholesale importation into Christianity of rites and ceremonies drawn from paganism, is a glaring instance. God forbids any mixture of the old worship with the new. The very names of the gods of the Canaanites were to be destroyed ( Deuteronomy 12:3 ). Worldliness, not less than superstition, may intrude itself into worship, and destroy its purity ( John 2:13-17 ; James 2:2 , James 2:3 ).

III. THAT IT BE ORDERLY . ( Deuteronomy 12:8 .) Paul pleads for order in the Christian Church ( 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 .).

IV. THAT IT GIVE EXPRESSION TO THE VARIED WANTS OF THE RELIGIOUS NATURE . ( Deuteronomy 12:6 , Deuteronomy 12:7 .) The prescribed sacrifices constituted a complex medium for the expression of the complex life and aspirations of the nation. It is to be noted that, save on days specially devoted to the remembrance of sins, a predominatingly joyful tone pervaded the services. This tone of joy should characterize yet more decidedly the services of Christians, coming before the Lord, as they are commanded to do, "to offer up spiritual sacrifices" ( Philippians 4:4 ; Colossians 3:16 ; 1 Peter 2:5 ).

V. THAT IT BE ASSOCIATED WITH REMEMBRANCE OF THE POOR . ( Deuteronomy 12:7 , Deuteronomy 12:12 , Deuteronomy 12:18 ; Deuteronomy 16:11 , Deuteronomy 16:14 .) One of the first effects of Christ's love in a heart should be to open it up in sympathy and kindness to all in need ( Acts 2:45 ; Acts 4:34 , Acts 4:35 ; Romans 15:25 ; 1 Corinthians 12:26 ; 2 Corinthians 8:9 .).—J.O.