Pastor Eric’s Daily Devotion

October Newsletter Article

Genesis 22:1-14

THE SETTING OF BIBLICAL WORSHIP

Intro: There is a hermeneutical principle known as The Principle of First Mention. This principle teaches that the first mention of a word, or a doctrine, in the Bible, determines its meaning throughout the rest of Scripture.

        For instance, Egypt is first mentioned in Gen. 12:10. In that verse, Abram leaves Canaan during a time of famine and goes to Egypt. While he is there, he suffers spiritual loss and damages his testimony. Thus, Egypt is presented in a negative light and, as a general rule, which is the way Egypt is perceived throughout the Bible.

        The passage before us today gives us the first mention of the word “worship.” People had worshiped before the events of this passage took place. Gen. 4 shows Cain and Abel engaged in sacrifice and worship. Gen. 4:26 says, “... then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” Gen. 5:22 tells us that “Enoch walked with God...” Gen. 6:9 tells us that Noah also “walked with God.”

        People had been worshiping the Lord since the very beginning, but this is the first time the word “worship” has been used. This passage that describes the faith of Abraham teaches us some immensely powerful truths about worship.                                                                                                

The word translated “worship” means to “bow down; to prostrate oneself before a superior; to humble oneself before God.” Abraham uses this word in the midst of the most difficult trial he ever faced. He was in the deepest valley of his life, yet he saw the experience as a time of worship.

        Abraham’s experience has something to say to us about our own worship. In fact, the truths revealed here teach us about The Setting for Biblical Worship. These verses teach us about the character, the conditions, and the challenges of biblical worship.

  At Pfafftown we are blessed with an amazing opportunity to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. May we prepare our hearts to do just that.

We will continue this thought next month.

By His Grace and for His Glory,

Eric