Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.
Exodus 40:16

I do not even know how many times these words, or words similar to these, are recorded in God’s instruction regarding the tabernacle, the priests, or the sacrifices in the Law. Let’s just say LOTS!

What difference does this make? The first and most obvious is the importance of obeying God. Moses took obedience to God very seriously.

But in addition to that rather obvious and generic observation, consider the subject matter. The instructions about the tabernacle, the priests, and the sacrifices are about worship.

How important is it that we worship God precisely according to His instructions? Why? Because worship is not our idea, it is God’s. He alone is in a position to say how He is to be worshiped. If we have any discernment at all, we must know that we are to worship God according to His instructions. How we worship God is not up to our preferences or innovative ideas.

Granted, we do not worship God according to the Old Testament sacrificial system because all those particular details pointed to Christ, were fulfilled by Christ, and therefore set aside by Christ. To worship in that manner now would be a blasphemous declaration that Jesus is insufficient!

But while the particulars of OT worship are not pertinent, the principles most certainly are. Here are a few of those principles: Worship as directed in scripture, adding nothing. Worship in humble, reverential awe. Sing. Attend to the reading and preaching of scripture. Pray. Encourage one another. And be sure it is about glorifying Him, not entertaining us.

May God say of us that we worshiped according to His command.