Forbidden Forms of Worship || Deuteronomy 16:21-22

Text: Deuteronomy 16:21-17:7

Moses now addresses forbidden forms of worship.

These prohibitions are hard for us to understand because we (thankfully) do not understand the pagan practices of that day. In all pagan cultures there have been the same demonic practices and activities. Asherah poles were very similar to Native American totem poles. They were carved images prohibited by the second commandment. Certain types of trees had spiritual significance and would be planted as places of worship. The same is true for cultures all over the world today. Groves were also planted as secret places for temple prostitution. Throughout history, pagan worship has been accompanied by sexual immorality.

 

As seen with King Ahaz, the progression was always pure worship adopting pagan practices as “innovations” or “improvements” on what God has ordained. This syncretism never lasted very long. It always led to a rejection of God and a wholehearted embrace of pagan idolatry.

God next addresses not just corrupted worship but the offering of corrupted sacrifices. In many ways, the corrupt sacrifices are analogous to the corrupted worship. It was completely rejected by God. This adoption of pagan practices was so heinous that God demanded the death penalty for anyone who corrupted His worship.

These ideas are not repudiated in the New Testament. In fact, they are embraced, repeated, and refined. Christians are to be ruthless with their own sin; “put to death” is the expressed command. Each individual Christian is to deal severely with their own individual sin. Christians followed this command in Acts 19 by burning all the corrupt, pagan books they had.

The New Covenant equivalent to this text is church discipline. The church is to remove, on the basis of two or three witnesses, sin which would corrupt the pure worship of God. The evil person is to be removed according to 1 Corinthians 5:13.

 

–          We must repent and commit fully to Jesus

–          We must purify our worship

–          Covenant blessings and cursings are based upon the purity of our worship