14 day plan

The Taste and Smell of Glory: Aesthetics and Faith

Day 4 of 14

NIV

1 Chronicles 23:4-5

‘[Of the Levites in temple service] … “Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said,“shall have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 shall be officers and judges, 4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.” 1 Chronicles 23:4-5, NLT ‘One thing I ask from the Lord… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.’ Psalm 27:4, NIV              

Reflection: Meeting with God: the practical and the transcendent

When it comes to meeting with God and mining his mysteries no one’s got a monopoly. There’s no hierarchy of scientists, priests or professors. No upper hand with mystics or aestheticians, like artists, poets and musicians. God takes all sorts. He’s opened a holy way, that anyone might ‘gaze on his beauty’ and meet with him.

But that wasn’t the case in Israel’s Old Testament worship. To juxtapose the supernatural with the natural—a holy God with the human race, God was choosey. It took a lot of manpower, practical know-how, skill and inspiration. Constructing the first ‘holy place’ required a divinely appointed and inspired artisan-instructor-leader. He, Bezalel, and his offsider Oholiab, mobilized thousands of blue-collar workers.* And then, once built, there were lots of rules and regulations; lots of liturgy and ceremony. Thousands of priestly officials, judges, gatekeepers and musicians had their parts to play.

This sanctuary required the participation of all sorts. But not just anyone could actually meet with God. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and that, only conditionally, once a year.

But don’t feel discouraged by all those rules and transcendent aesthetics of Old Testament temple worship, brothers and sisters. And don’t be put off by mystic, lofty or pretentious God-speak. The book of Hebrews reassures — with confidence that the blood of Jesus has made us holy, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart. (Hebrews 10:19-21)

 

Prayer:

I come near to you, Jesus, confident that your pristine sacrifice has dealt with my obscene unholiness.

Draw near to me. Let me gaze on the beauty of your holiness.

Make me heartsore to sin, its ugly trappings and those who’ve been duped by the devil.

Help me today to resist the devil and keep my heart pure.

And let me serve you with my particular gifts, rapt, humble and holy all the days of my life. (from James 4:7-10).

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* woodworkers and carpenters, metalworkers, jewellers, weavers and seamstresses, perfume makers

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