The concept of an appointed place of worship is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the nation of Israel. The Church of Israel, as described in the Old Testament, was not merely a gathering of people but a divinely ordained institution with specific locations designated for worship and sacrifice.

The Tabernacle and the Temple

The initial appointed place of worship for the Israelites was the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that accompanied them during their wilderness wanderings. God provided Moses with detailed instructions for its construction, as recorded in Exodus 25-27. The Tabernacle served as the central place where God met with His people, and where the priests performed sacrifices and rituals. Exodus 25:8 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them."

As the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the Tabernacle was eventually replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem, built by King Solomon. This Temple became the permanent and central place of worship for the nation. In 1 Kings 8:29 , Solomon prays, "May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that You will hear the prayer Your servant prays toward this place."

The Significance of the Appointed Place

The appointed place of worship was significant for several reasons. It was a physical manifestation of God's presence among His people, a place where the divine and human could meet. It also served as a unifying factor for the nation, drawing the tribes together for festivals and sacrifices. Deuteronomy 12:5 emphasizes the importance of worshiping at the designated place: "But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His Name there for His dwelling. To that place you must go."

Centralization of Worship

The centralization of worship in a specific location was intended to prevent idolatry and the fragmentation of religious practices. By having a single, appointed place, the Israelites were reminded of the unity and exclusivity of their worship of Yahweh. This centralization is further underscored in Deuteronomy 12:11 : "Then the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name—to that place you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD."

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of an appointed place of worship evolves with the coming of Christ. Jesus Himself speaks of a time when worship will not be confined to a specific location. In John 4:21-24 , Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, "Believe Me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him."

While the physical Temple in Jerusalem held great significance, the New Testament reveals that the true temple is found in the person of Jesus Christ and in the hearts of believers. The Church, as the body of Christ, becomes the new appointed place of worship, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

Conclusion

The appointed place of worship in the Church of Israel was a foundational element of their religious life, symbolizing God's presence and the unity of His people. This concept, while rooted in the Old Testament, finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through the person of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Church as the spiritual temple.Deuteronomy 12:5
But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even to his habitation shall you seek, and thither you shall come:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... it was in the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam ... jurisdiction, Christ has given to
his Church, the same ... Levitical priests, whom the Lord had appointed over sacred ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... as formerly happened, to the great injury of the Church. ... law, from which almost the
whole of Israel had revolted ... For if any bishop had been too harsh or violent ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... to have learnt the idolatries from which Israel had been so ... though his first writing,
the Canticles, had been a ... love between the Lord and His Church, his last ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The Sabbath
... Christ had come to place it where it would glorify God ... hold together, is the head
of the church, and that by ... For, speaking of Israel, He said, "I gave them My ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 29 the sabbath.htm

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
... indeed without Israel's dispersion, the Church Universal would ... Moses had addressed
Israel as rebellious and hard ... Elijah had upbraided them with having broken the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the synagogue at.htm

"The House of Israel"
... and to all Israel,"to God's church on earth ... the ordinances which God Himself had
appointed, they encumbered ... As a nation, the people of Israel, while desiring ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

The Woman of Samaria
... and many a wicked king of Israel, had gone in ... them: but it was God who had appointed
them their ... Schools, books, church-going, ordinances of all kinds, they are ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... severely rebuked, it was the constant sin of Israel to desire ... At last they had so
far gone into idolatry that ... which suited the infancy of the church, they also ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

The Census of Israel
... They had all the vices of subject races, and were ... to stand before the Lord God of
Israel to testify ... your own doors for the largest accessions to the church. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Law and the Liberty of Presbyterian Worship.
... more comprehensive ones of the New Testament Church. ... the successive periods of Israel's
history, marked by ... psalmist, and prophet, Divine worship had grown from ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter i the law and.htm

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