Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8342 servanthood » 8345 servanthood, and worship of God
The biblical understanding of servanthood has its foundation in people serving God in worship. The terms for “service” and “worship” are often interchangeable.
Worship is a central aspect of serving God
Exodus 3:12
See also
Exodus 4:23; Exodus 8:1,20; Exodus 10:8;
Joshua 22:27;
Psalm 100:2; Psalm 102:22;
Luke 4:8
Worship entails total obedience, not merely correct religious observances
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
See also
Amos 5:22-24;
Micah 6:6-8
Worship and service to God must be exclusive
Matthew 4:10 pp
Luke 4:8
See also
Deuteronomy 6:13
Serving false gods
Worshipping false gods forbidden
Exodus 20:3-5 pp
Deuteronomy 5:8-9
See also
Exodus 23:24; Exodus 34:14;
Joshua 23:7
Warnings against serving false gods
2 Chronicles 7:19-20
See also
Deuteronomy 7:3-4;
Joshua 23:16; Joshua 24:20
Examples of idolatrous service
1 Kings 16:31
See also
Judges 2:11,13;
2 Kings 17:33;
Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 11:10;
Romans 1:25
Refusal to serve false gods
Daniel 3:12
See also
Joshua 24:16-18;
Daniel 3:18,28-29
Judgment for serving false gods
Judges 10:11-13
See also
Judges 10:6-10;
Ezekiel 20:30-38
The service of the Levites and the priesthood
Consecration of the priesthood
Exodus 29:1
See also
Exodus 28:1,41; Exodus 29:44; Exodus 40:12-16;
Numbers 3:9-13
Service in the Tent of Meeting
Numbers 4:3,23,30,35,39,43; Numbers 18:7
Service in the temple
1 Chronicles 23:2-5
See also
1 Chronicles 23:24-32; 1 C 3,5,19; 1 C 1,6-8
musicians and singers;
1 Chronicles 26:12
gatekeepers;
1 Chronicles 26:20
treasurers;
1 Chronicles 26:29-32;
Ezra 7:7; Ezra 8:20;
Nehemiah 7:46,60
The promise of restored service in the new temple
Ezekiel 44:15
See also
Ezekiel 44:10-14,24; Ezekiel 45:5
Examples of priestly service
Luke 1:5,8-10,23
The true service of Jesus Christ as high priest
Hebrews 8:1-2
Hebrews sees the OT priesthood and its services as superseded by Jesus Christ.
See also
Hebrews 8:3-6
The Christian's life as an act of worship
Romans 12:1
See also
Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10
See also
2306 Christ, high priest
5977 waiting
7390 Levites
7412 priesthood
8453 obedience
8622 worship
8747 false gods
8752 false worship
8768 idolatry