Day 271: Order for worship

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126

In the church worship wars, do you ever wonder what it would be like to tansport back in time and check out "temple" worship. Nehemiah 12 gives us that opportunity.

First of all, there is a huge staff of priests! Among their duties is singing--a lot of singing. Their singing is not the singing of soloists but two huge choirs singing responsively and antiphonally to one another. Their songs are songs of praise and thanksgiving!

Then there is a big storehouse available to feed the ones participating in worship. So big a storehouse that there are guards in place!

Next there is a band of sorts consisting of the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. To sing with this group, singers from all around are brought in to form two more choirs. (That's a lot of singing!) Trumpets show up, too.

Then it seems that part of worship is a big purifying ceremony with lots of water. And lots of giving of sacrifices and offerings of gratitude. You'll note, the women and children are present, rejoicing along with the best of them.

The worship of all God's people IN ONE PLACE is SO LOUD it can be heard for miles around. No mumbled standing with a hymn book in hand. Loud rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving.

I wonder how the church of today would be changed if this was the new proposed worship order. It sound like a rock concert except with a focus on the ROCK OF SALVATION.

It sounds like a lot of fun!

Imagine that!