Features of Worshipping God in the Wilderness.
- The Israelites: Worshipped God through intermediaries. These were the priests who came from the tribe of Levi.
- The Israelites were guided in their worship and in daily living by the Ten Commandments and other ordinances.
- The Ark of the Covenant was made in the wilderness. It was God’s dwelling place.
- It was a special box put into the tabernacle. A tabernacle was a portable tent.
- The ark symbolised the presence of God, and the Israelites carried it wherever they went.
- Offerings of farm products or agricultural produce were given to God. These included, among other farm products, vegetables, flour. Oil and fruits.
- Other offerings to God were drinks and incense. The offerings could be burnt, baked, boiled or roasted.
- There were several Sacrifices.
They included:
- Burnt offerings (Holocaust) – burning a whole animal completely
- Sin offering /atonement – sacrifice offered when one had sinned and wanted to have his sins forgiven.
- Peace offering – part of an animal was offered, while the people ate part of the meat.
- Gift offering – the best animal was given to God. It was offered as a thanksgiving.
- Animals such as sheep, goats, bulls and birds were sacrificed to God.
- (vii) Festivals and feasts. Israelites observed several festivals and feasts.
These included:
- Feast of Passover and unleavened bread.
- Harvest festival – Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
- It marked the celebration of the harvest of wheat.
- Feast of gathering/shelters.
- It was celebrated during the season when the Israelites gathered the fruits from the Orchards.
- The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated to remember when the Israelites dwelt in tents.
- The Israelites kept the Sabbath day. They worshipped God through singing, worship and dancing.