Today's readings are Psalm 29.1-4, 10-11, 1 Kings 12.20-13.5, 33-34, and 2 Corinthians 8.1-24.
In our Old Testament reading we see more of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who later came to be known as the one who caused Israel to sin. What did Jeroboam do that was so terrible? Chiefly, he arranged for worship in a way which was not authorized by God.
In the Scripture, God is the initiator of worship. He prescribes the offerings. he says where, when, why, and how to worship. This is from his love and mercy, for outside of the righteous requirements of the holy God we dare not approach him. Jeroboam, in taking worship practices into his own hands and planning them according to what he thought best, exalted his plans above God's.
This is one of the reasons I appreciate the historic liturgy. Rooted in the synagogue worship which Jesus approved by his presence and participation, we worship God rightly where Word and Sacrament are present. The historic patterns protect us from exalting ourselves as did Jeroboam. May God alone be praised in all we do.
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