8345 servanthood, and worship of God

The biblical understanding of servanthood has its foundation in people serving God in worship. The terms for “service” and “worship” are often interchangeable.

Worship is a central aspect of serving God

Ex 3:12 See also Ex 4:23; Ex 8:1,20; Ex 10:8; Jos 22:27; Ps 100:2; Ps 102:22; Lk 4:8

Worship entails total obedience, not merely correct religious observances

Dt 10:12-13 See also Am 5:22-24; Mic 6:6-8

Worship and service to God must be exclusive

Mt 4:10 pp Lk 4:8 See also Dt 6:13

Serving false gods

Worshipping false gods forbidden Ex 20:3-5 pp Dt 5:8-9 See also Ex 23:24; Ex 34:14; Jos 23:7

Warnings against serving false gods 2Ch 7:19-20 See also Dt 7:3-4; Jos 23:16; Jos 24:20

Examples of idolatrous service 1Ki 16:31 See also Jdg 2:11,13; 2Ki 17:33; Jer 2:20; Jer 11:10; Ro 1:25

Refusal to serve false gods Da 3:12 See also Jos 24:16-18; Da 3:18,28-29

Judgment for serving false gods Jdg 10:11-13 See also Jdg 10:6-10; Eze 20:30-38

The service of the Levites and the priesthood

Consecration of the priesthood Ex 29:1 See also Ex 28:1,41; Ex 29:44; Ex 40:12-16; Nu 3:9-13

Service in the Tent of Meeting Nu 4:3,23,30,35,39,43; Nu 18:7

Service in the temple 1Ch 23:2-5 See also 1Ch 23:24-32; 1Ch 24:3,5,19; 1Ch 25:1,6-8 musicians and singers; 1Ch 26:12 gatekeepers; 1Ch 26:20 treasurers; 1Ch 26:29-32; Ezr 7:7; Ezr 8:20; Ne 7:46,60

The promise of restored service in the new temple Eze 44:15 See also Eze 44:10-14,24; Eze 45:5

Examples of priestly service Lk 1:5,8-10,23

The true service of Jesus Christ as high priest Heb 8:1-2 Hebrews sees the OT priesthood and its services as superseded by Jesus Christ. See also Heb 8:3-6

The Christian’s life as an act of worship

Ro 12:1 See also Rev 1:6; Rev 5:10

See also