Amos 9:11-12(NKJV) 11 “On that day I will raise up The £tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the Lord who does this thing
(This week we are privileged to have Dr. Eldon Wilson with us for 3 days. Here are some thoughts about his messages.)
Yesterday we began looking at these verses from Amos as quoted in Acts 15:12-17. The context in Acts is a dispute about who can be a Christian and what conditions they must fulfill. The conclusion of the apostles was that God had called all people to relationship with him in Christ and that it was not necessary for them to observe the Jewish law or tradition. In other words, the way to the Lord is open to all people at all times
However, in recent times the term “tabernacle of David” has been applied to the restoration of praise and worship in the body of Christ. There is no doubt that there has been a surge in the quantity and quality of worship in the church over the last 3 decades. I am part of a generation that majored in the experience of praise and worship in our Christian walk. I believe it is an important element in releasing a great latter day harvest of souls in the earth. However, this is not what the bible is speaking of when it refers to the tabernacle of David.
Today, I see an increasing emphasis on music styles and how well musicians play and sing in our teaching on praise and worship. There are seminars on how to write songs, instrument techniques, sound and many other technical aspects of praise and worship. How to praise and worship has become very important. There is nothing wrong with this if we understand the place “how” holds in the praise and worship. However, when “how” becomes the focus we have a problem.
How always excludes someone. Let me explain. If we define quality praise and worship by how well the music is played or sung, we exclude those who do not play or sing so well. You may say, “We are just talking about the platform and those called to music ministry.” That is true and I have been one of those people for more than 35 years. Certainly, we want those on the platform to have some ability and to strive for excellence. What we must understand is that musical excellence is not the point of praise and worship. The worship team has one major responsibility. That is to bring the people of God into the presence of God.
How well we play or sing can enhance that process. If we play or sing poorly, it can hinder the process, but if our heart is not right it does not matter how well we play or sing, we will not enter the presence of God.
Psalms 24:3-4(NKJV) 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
When it comes to music ministry, we should do our best to play and sing skillfully, but we should place the priority on our heart and our lifestyle. Many local churches do not have great musicians, but that does not need to hinder our praise and worship. If it does, the emphasis is in the wrong place. It does not matter how well we play if we truly worship God with our whole heart, we can come into his presence. We may make a “joyful noise”, but to the Lord it is beautiful when it comes from our heart.
This emphasis on quality praise and worship is often referred to as restoring the Tabernacle of David. That is not what the tabernacle of David is. Yesterday we looked at 2 Samuel 6. It is here that we learn of the tabernacle of David.
This term refers to the tent David set up in Jerusalem when he first brought the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, to the city. This was not like the Tabernacle of Moses that housed the Ark in the wilderness. There was no wall surrounding this tabernacle. There was no gate to enter. There was no courtyard, Holy Place or Holy of Holies. David’s tabernacle was a simple tent open on one side. Anyone who wanted to could come and see the Ark. There was no priest between the people and God’s presence. It was open to all.
The Tabernacle of Moses was very different. The Mosaic system was different. The Ark was in an inner room of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. A wall that kept everyone out surrounded the tabernacle itself. Many were never allowed to enter the place where God’s presence dwelt. Women were not allowed to enter into the tabernacle at any time. Children were also excluded from this holy place. No one who was not ritually clean could enter the tabernacle. The rules for what was clean or not clean were extensive.
If you met all the other qualifications, you still could not enter unless you had the proper sacrifice. The sacrifice had to meet specific criterion or it did not qualify. There were priests whose job was to make sure no one who was not qualified entered the presence of God. Even when all requirements were met, the common man could not go all the way into the presence of God. Only the high priest could go there once a year.
The difference between David’s tabernacle and Moses’ tabernacle is obvious. Moses Tabernacle was the system required by the Old Covenant. David’s tabernacle did not follow that system. It was open to all. There was one sacrifice offered at the opening of this tabernacle, but that was the only sacrifice offered via David’s tabernacle. Once that was done the presence of God was available to anyone who chose to come.
The tabernacle of David was only a temporary thing. The tabernacle of Moses was in another city. David had rescued the Ark and wanted the presence of God in Jerusalem. This temporary open tent was only to house the presence of God until the Temple was built in Jerusalem. Once that happened the presence of God was once again hidden behind walls, priests, offerings and ritual.
Amos speaks of a day when David’s tabernacle would be restored and, as a result, God would draw people from all nations. The Apostles in Acts 15 recognize that the tabernacle of David had indeed been restored in their day. What was this tabernacle? It was the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle of David is the Body of Christ made up of all those who believe in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle of David is the “new and living way” into the presence of God purchased by the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10:20)
It is salvation in Christ that once again opens the presence of God to all people. There is no priest standing between you and the presence of God. There is no sacrifice to bring because the blood of Jesus has paid the price for all people. There is no wall to keep us out. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the world was torn from the top to the bottom indicating that the way into God’s presence was now open to all who wanted come.
Because this tabernacle has been restored people of all race and nationality are free to come into relationship with the Father God through Christ Jesus. Thank God for the restoration of this tabernacle. Does this have anything at all to do with praise and worship? I believe it does, but not what we have been teaching.
The praise and worship in the tabernacle of David has nothing to do with how. The tabernacle of Moses had strict rules as to how you had to come. The tabernacle of David says come because you are grateful. Come because you love the Lord. Come because Jesus opened the way. You may sing beautifully or make a joyful noise. It makes no difference. You may sing the newest praise song or the oldest hymn. That is irrelevant. You may have an orchestra or, as I have witnessed in Africa and India, a simple drum and it will make no difference. Praise and worship in the Tabernacle of David is not about “how.” Praise and worship in the tabernacle of David is all about why! Why is the love of God and his free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.
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