Deuteronomy 10 - 12

Where He Chooses
Today's portion contains an admonition from God in chapter 12 that is repeated four times (vss 5, 14, 18, and 16) "Worship in the place he chooses."  This concept is critical to understanding worship of the one True God.

In chapter 10, Moses recounts the rewriting of the Ten Commandments in stone and the placement of them into the Ark. He reminds the people that he (Moses) interceded on their behalf with the Lord to prevent them from being destroyed in spite of their wickedness and stubbornness. In Chapter 11, the choice between the blessings of God and the curses of God is spelled out in clear terms.  If the people obey the Lord's commandments they will be blessed, if they rebel and are wicked and disobedient, then the curse reserved for their enemies will be visited upon them (11:26-28).  These chapters set the stage for what Moses presents in chapter 12.

Like the children of Israel, we are not free to define our worship to God.  This seems counter-intuitive, and it is obvious that the Lord enjoys worship freely given from a true heart.  But for Israel, their worship had to be done in a place the Lord chose, i.e. the Tabernacle in the wilderness and, eventually, the Temple in the Promised Land.  The people were strictly forbidden to worship like the unbelievers they drove out of the land.  They had to worship where the Lord chose for them.

The same is true for us.  As Christians our worship is not defined by geography.  There are no "holy places" for Christians.  Once Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law by His sacrifice on Calvary, the need to worship in a specific place ceased to exist.  However, the Lord still defines where we must worship Him.  We must worship the Lord in the Holy Spirit! Our worship must come from a life surrendered to Him.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.