Specificity and Silence - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 29:19-21,

"Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then splash blood against the sides of the altar. And take some blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated."

In this chapter the Lord tells Moses how to consecrate Aaron and his sons to be the priests of God's people. The instructions include how they are to be dressed, how they are to be prepared, how the offerings are to be carried out, what to do with the various portions and the bull and the rams involved, the disposition of those parts, who consumes what and where and so on. The verse above is just a sample of the specificity within which the Lord gave his instructions to Moses.

God has no problem being very specific when it matters to him.

I am reminded how specific many churches like to be when it matters to them, and, yet, in many of those matters God has chosen not to be specific. I'm thinking of the ordinances within the church, baptisms, celebrating the Lord's supper, and what music and instruments are to be allowed in worship services and so on.

Over the years I have been known to point to Exodus 29:19-21 as an example of God being explicit when it is important to him. When he wants things done a certain way, he has no problem expressing himself. Therefore, when God does not provide specific instructions on some things, why do we insist they have to be done just so? Churches and denominations have split and gone their separate ways (clearly violating the Lord's desire we remain in unity) over these things.

Where do I go in my Bible to find out exactly how a baptism is to be performed? If I can't find it, why should I demand it be done in just a certain way I say it should be? Why would I insist the liturgical formula be just so-and-so? Why do we insist only these certain people are qualified to perform it? How about the Lord's supper? How often? The appropriate liturgy to attend it? The method of distribution?

It seems to me there are way too many misguided people (possibly well-intentioned???) within the church demanding things in a certain way that God has not chosen to be specific about. Like I say, God can be very specific in how he might want something done. Perhaps we might find within ourselves the love and tolerance in those things God has been silent about when we make demands of one another.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here:  http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/