After God’s holy law was given the question was, How could man worship? Could he attach some of his own works to the worship of Jehovah? No indeed! God knew beforehand that man could never get blessing through law-keeping, and so He made provision for His people to worship apart from anything they had done or could do. Their sacrifices were to be such as spoke of the excellence of Christ, and their altar must not display any of their own works. That would never do! They could use earth or stone in building it, but not hewn or cut stone, for if they used their tools it would be spoiled. Let us understand very clearly then, that nothing of man is acceptable to God in worship.
Christ Come Down to Bless
The Israelites were also told that they must not go up by steps to God’s altar, for that would exalt man. He must be in his true place in the dust if he would approach God in worship. Men would like to go up to meet God, but God said, “I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee” (ch. 20:24). What grace! If men tried to go up, their nakedness would be seen, but God in Christ has come down to bless us. Now He has lifted us up “among princes,” but to lift ourselves up would only be pride, which God hates. Let us remember then, that man’s work and man’s way cannot be accepted in worship.
The Hebrew Servant
Exodus 21 is also remarkable. The Israelites were told that when a Hebrew servant had worked his appointed time, he could then go out free, but if his master had given him a wife he could not take her with him. If he said, “I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,” (ch. 21:5) then he was to be brought to the judges and his ear was to be bored through with an awl and he must serve forever.
What a beautiful picture of Christ, the true Hebrew servant! He came into the world and, as Man, He served His Father during His life of perfect obedience. In His own right and title He could have gone back to heaven alone, without the death of the cross, but love made Him a servant. He allowed Himself to be brought to the “judges” and endured that awful judgment of sin, fully satisfying God’s holy claims. He was “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). He would not have the glory and joys of heaven alone! Love to His Father, to the Church (His bride) and to each child of God individually, led Him to choose the path of service forever. Just as the Hebrew servant had his ear bored through, so the Lord Jesus said, “Mine ears hast Thou opened” (Psa. 40:6). Having come down and taken the place of a servant, He has chosen to associate us with Him, and to occupy the place of a servant forever (Luke 12:37).
Wonder of all wonders! Christ, the Son of God, has become a man, and will remain a man forever in order to have the company of His redeemed. He came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28) (Mark 10:45). He served on earth, and He is still serving above as our Great High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 2:1). Even in that coming day of eternal blessedness we read that “He shall ... come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37). Surely our hearts should bow in worship at such love — “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Eph. 3:19).
Further Meditation
1. Who is the true Hebrew servant?
2. When do we have the privilege of service to Christ?
3. For more on the Lord as a servant you might read The Servant’s Heart: Bible Talks on Mark.