An Example For Worship?

In Nehemiah chapters 8 and 9 we can see what could be looked at as a model for worship. Perhaps it is better said that this portion of scripture gives good ideas for aspects which could be incorporated into a “church service.” But then again, even the idea of a “church service” as we perceive them to be with their traditional ordering of parts has little scriptural bases. The Holy Spirit is not confined to a box. So rather, it will simply be said that from these two chapters we glean ideas and see examples of ways by which men can worship, seek, obey, and glorify God.

In Nehemiah 8:4-6 we see that Ezra is before the people standing on a pulpit ((מגדּלה מגדּל (tower or an elevated platform)). First, “Ezra Blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, Amen” We see then that the people worshiped the Lord by lifting up their hands and bowing their heads with their faces to the ground.

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” - Nehemiah 8:8

In Nehemiah 8:7-8 we see that the law was read carefully, and that there were many there to “cause” the people to understand it. It appears that they were as teachers or preachers, and explained the meaning to the people.

In Nehemiah 8:12 we see that they rejoiced and celebrated “because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.”

In Nehemiah 8:13-18 we see that the people obeyed what they were taught by keeping the feast of booths at that time as it is taught in the law.

In Nehemiah 9:2 we see that the people confessed their sins.

In Nehemiah 9:6-38 we see that they praised, and blessed God. Specifically, they praised God by giving testimony of the wondrous things He had done. Also, they praised God by describing him by his attributes, such as faithful (vs. 8, 17, 32), righteous (vs. 8), gracious (vs. 17, 31), merciful (vs. 17, 19, 27, 28, 31, 32), kind (vs. 17), good (vs. 20, 25, 35), just (vs. 29, 30, 33), mighty (vs. 32).

In Summary;

1. The leader is on an elevated area so he can be seen by the people.
2. The people respond with “Amen” when the leader says something true with which the people feel the need to verbally express their agreement.
3. The Lord is worshipped by men lifting up their hands and bowing their heads with their faces to the ground. (Also see Psalm 28:2, 1 Timothy 2:8)
3. The scripture is read.
4. The meaning of the scripture is made clear, presumably by teaching and preaching.
5. The people rejoice that they heard and understand the scripture.
6. The people obey the scripture, not merely in word, but in deed (by their actions).
7. The people confess their sins. (Also see 1 John 1:9)
8. They praise God by giving testimony of what he has done for them. (Also see 1 Peter 3:15)
9. They praise God by describing his attributes (such as faithful, just, merciful, etcetera).

All of these nine points are appropriate as the Holy Spirit leads. But some of these are especially neglected and should be more often exampled by believers as they gather together to worship the Lord God Almighty.


“Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” - Revelation 15:3b-4

What Does the Scripture Say ?

This is the question we need to ask and apply to every aspect of our lives.


There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. - Pro 16:25

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. - Deu 12:32

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for onecutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. - Jer 10:2-4

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? - Gal 4:8-16

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7:6-13

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, - Col 2:14-20

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” - Proverbs 3:1-7

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (We cannot improve upon “perfect” by adding to the scriptures).

What do these verses tell us?

We cannot merely do what seems right. We are to be separate from the world and we are not to follow the traditions of men nor the vain ways of the heathen. Nor are we to pattern Christian worship after the ways that the heathen worship their gods. We are to only do and believe what the Bible instructs us to do and believe. How can this fact be applied today to Christianity? How has the world pervaded the church?

We must believe and obey the scriptures, renewing our minds (Psalm 51:10) and receiving instruction (Proverbs 1:7, 8:33, 9:9, 10:17, 13:18, 15:32) . Or else we may be like that man in James 1:20-27 who is a hearer of the word and not a doer. He sees himself as in a mirror but then goes his way and immediately forgets his appearance. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” - James 1:22