Michal - Her Life And Times

Michal - Her Life And Times

WORSHIP

When David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, after it had been in Philistine hands for a number of years and after a fateful earlier attempt to move it, he did so with a deep sense of awe. The ark was moved only six steps before he stopped and sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Then, as the priests brought the ark into Jerusalem, David “danced before the LORD with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14), and the people with him shouted and blew on trumpets.

There was nothing subdued or restrained about David’s worship of the Lord. The psalms of praise he wrote also reveal his deep love for God, a love so all-encompassing it could not be contained, but burst forth in exuberant worship.

Sacrifices and offerings were an important part of worship in Old Testament times. Since sin separated the worshiper from God, sacrifice was needed to reestablish the relationship and make true worship possible. The response of praise to God took several forms: prayer, as when Solomon dedicated the temple (1 Kings 8); praise in singing as individuals (2 Samuel 23:1) and in choirs (Nehemiah 12); praise with musical instruments (Psalm 150); and praise with dancing (Exodus 15:20 – 21; 2 Samuel 6:14 – 16; Psalm 149:3).

But God makes it clear that he won’t be satisfied with only the forms of worship. Sacrifices and music and dancing have no meaning apart from a heart and life truly dedicated to the Lord. God’s words to the prophet Micah (Micah 6:6 – 8) clearly state this truth:

With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown all you people what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Michal’s contempt for her husband, David, revealed her own lack of true dedication. She was content to be a critical spectator rather than a true worshiper of God. Whenever anyone puts appearances or tradition or form above a true desire to worship our God and Savior, we’d best step carefully . . . and read the words of God to Micah the prophet, which are as true for us today as they were for the Israelites of the prophet’s day.