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Worshiping God on the High Places
Introduction: Consider the following texts:
“Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.” (1 Kings 3:3 ESV)
“But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days.” (1 Kings 15:14 ESV)
“He (Jehoshaphat) walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.” (1 Kings 22:43 ESV)
“And he (Amaziah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father…But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.” (2 Kings 14:4 ESV)
Uzziah: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.” (2 Kings 15:4 ESV)
Jotham: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord.” (2 Kings 15:35 ESV)
Manasseh’s repentance: “Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.” (2 Chronicles 33:17 ESV)
How shall we understand these evaluations by the inspired writer?
How will God judge Asa? How will God judge Uzziah? What about all the people during their reigns who worshiped God on the high places. How will God judge them? It is obvious that the Lord placed the primary responsibility for the removal of the high places with the king. However, the people were certainly responsible for the own actions in worshiping at the high places. After all, God was extremely plain and direct in Deuteronomy 12 concerning worship at any place other than the tabernacle/temple. Thus the question: how will God judge them?
I hope you feel the challenge with that question. Do we immediately conclude that since they clearly violated the pattern of worship that God commanded, they will be lost? But on the other hand, if we justify these kings in spite of the violations of God’s commands and say to ourselves that God will overlook these sins of worship, then should we make such a big deal about being careful in how we worship God and about keeping all of God’s commandments? Can’t we just do “most” of what God says and count on God saying, “He did what right except…”?
Of course, for those who insist that kings like Asa and his people will be lost for disobedience, how would you evaluate this comment about Amaziah: “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” (2 Chron. 25.2). Will Amaziah be saved? This text reminds us of the greatest commandment. What if I were obedient, but not necessarily with my whole heart? Can I still be saved? Then there are certainly Christians who are out of balance. In other words, like the Pharisees, they insist on meticulous obedience, but are so focused on the details that they fail to love the world like God loves. In other words, they fail in faith, justice, and mercy. They are the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal, intent on justifying themselves while pointing their finger at the sinners of the world, yet doing nothing to have compassion on them to save them.
Now, what has been missing in this conversation? What has been missing is that we are asking the wrong question. Our question of, “How will God judge these various situations,” misses the mark in three ways.
- First, asking the question suggests we are trying to find out how far God will go with disobedience. I must be careful that my motivation isn’t to discover how far I can push God before he says, “Enough.” That is not an attitude God tolerates. What this question does is to begin to justify transgressing God’s laws.
- Second, when we start down this path, we begin drawing our own lines instead of observing God’s lines. And when we draw our own lines, those lines become moveable. If we justify one transgression, why not another? And then, how many transgressions will we justify? Where does it end and when have we become a rebellious people?
- Third, since God does not specifically reveal to us what he will actually do in those situations, it isn’t any of our business to ask (Deut. 29:29). What is our business, is plainly stated by Paul in 2 Cor. 5:9, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please God.” Therefore, let’s ask the appropriate question: What would be pleasing to God?
Deuteronomy 12
Chapters 12-13 of Deuteronomy were delivered by Moses to prepare Israel for their entrance into Canaan and specifically how God wants them to worship once they enter the land. God’s instructions and warnings are eye-opening, giving us an important insight into how God thinks about the way we listen to him and how we approach him in worship.
First consider that the words, “be careful” or “take care” [same Hebrew word] are used 6 times just in chapter 12. In the ESV, these words are used 35 times in the whole book. This is significant because Israel was far from careful to obey, and therefore in Ezekiel 36:27, God foretold that the Messiah’s disciples will be careful to obey. Therefore, we are cautioned against thinking that in the NT, the Lord’s disciples would not need to have the same care as God required in Deuteronomy.
2-6: Next, notice that God specifically mentioned the way the Canaanites worshiped their gods in every imaginable location. But, verse 4, “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way.” Instead, God wanted all of their gods and altars destroyed and that Israel would only perform their sacrifices in the location God designated. This principle is repeated in verse 11 & 13.
Verse 8 even goes so far as to warn Israel not to worship in the land in the same way they have worshiped while in the wilderness. There was a bit more “liberty” in where they worshiped since they were constantly on the move in the wilderness. But once they entered Canaan, they could no longer let “everyone do what was right in his own eyes.”
I want you to notice that there is a reason for this change. When they get to Canaan, God describes a Garden of Eden scene, and it is because of this Garden reference that they are to worship differently. Notice the words, “God will give you rest from all your enemies so that you will live in safety…” (10). Verse 11 then continues to stress that they will only worship where God designates. Notice the correspondence between the Eden rest and Canaan. There are three primary pictures of the rest:
- They are protected from their enemies; they are secure.
- God will provide abundantly for them so that they do not have to labor in the same way they did in Egypt.
- The reason for the rest is so they can have time to worship and commune with the Lord.
- Therefore, just as in the Garden, Israel was allowed back into God’s home where they could enjoy [they are commanded to rejoice – 7, 12] fellowship and communion with him. Just like in the Garden, since they are in his home, they had to abide by his rules if they wanted to stay in the home.
Hebrews 4 tells us that we are the ultimate recipients of God’s rest – “Joshua did not give them rest…” We need to understand that God’s attitude about living in his presence and in his temple has not changed. The “veil” is now torn apart and we enter boldly into the Most Holy Place (Heb. 10:19-20). We dare not disregard God’s rules of being in his presence and serving in his presence. Anyone who cannot understand that principle, has no respect for God or any other authority.
29-31 Here, the Lord even goes so far as to command Israel to not even inquire how the nations worship their gods. They didn’t need to know, and besides, God “hates” all the ways they worship; so just don’t bother! There is something in this warning that we need to understand – there is often things that are enticing in the way man creates worship. Man’s worship appeals more to the senses and ignores the fact that worship is about dwelling the presence of God, learning to know God, and pleasing God. Worship is not about pleasing us.
32 Finally in this chapter, again the admonition to be careful, and the plain, direct command, “You shall not add to it or take from it.”
Deuteronomy 13
1-4 Please notice two timeless principles:
- This prophet or dreamer “arises among you.” In chapter 12, the Lord warned about the influence that would come from the gods on the outside. But there was also a concern about who would rise up from inside their own people. Paul warn of the same (Acts 20:32) and so did Peter (2 Pet. 2:1).
- This person is convincing, even performing signs and wonders that come to pass. But in spite of this, Israel was to understand that God was using this person to test them to know whether they truly loved God with all their heart. God had already giving them his commands and how they were to worship. There was no reason for them to be deceived. Same with us! If you feel pulled to think that it is not necessary to be careful and that we can worship like those around us, realize that God is testing you.
6-9 Note two more principles
Even if the enticement comes from a family member, even a very close friend. Oh, and how often it comes just as the Lord said, “Entices you secretly.” Do not yield and do not listen!
But that is not all. “You shall not conceal him, but you shall kill him.” Well now, how does God feel about worship in any way other than his way?
12-15 The Lord now brings the possibility of this deceit to permeating a whole city. They also are to be devoted to destruction. In other words, it is possible that in certain locations it would be the majority who would agree to turn away from God’s worship. Regardless, it doesn’t make them right and it doesn’t mean they will escape judgment.
What Was the Question?
To what extent will God judge those who violate his commandments? Will those who worshiped him on the high places still be saved? Will those today who worship the Lord, but have added to his commands, be saved?
That question, is simply not the issue! This issue is, we need to be careful in his presence. We need to be careful to obey. We need to be careful to do what we know he has revealed.
Someone says, “I don’t think the first day of the week is the only time we can take the Lord’s Supper” (Acts 20:7). Well, okay, maybe so. But when we partake on the first day of the week, we know we are pleasing to God. But if you partake on Monday – Saturday, you don’t know! You are stepping into the Twilight Zone! Don’t step into the area where you don’t know.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29).