The lifting up of hands

The lifting up of hands (Psalm.28:2; 63:4; 134:2; 141:2; 150:1-3) is part of the pattern of worship that God gave David (1Chron.28:19) that has NOT been changed by any of the "inspired" (2Tim.3:16, 2Peter.1:20-21) writers of God's Word. (This includes Old or New Testament)

1.  David compared the lifting of hands as the evening sacrifice
     David said, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my
     hands as the evening sacrifice." (Psa.141:2)
     a.  This is the Holy Ghost interpreting by the mouth (Acts.1:16; 28:25; 3:21) of  
           David. (2Tim.3:15-16) 
     b.  We should do the same and allow ourselves to be lead by the Spirit "into all truth."  
          (John.16:12-13, 1Cor.2:1-14) 
     c.  Why are we trying to explain the "lifting of our hands" by some other example. i.e. to surrender.
          Sacrifice has become to mean that I will praise the Lord even though if I don't feel like it. It is 
          much more than that, it is our job description as a royal priesthood. (Num.1:47-54,
         1Chron.23:26, 30, 1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10)

2.  The evening sacrifice was continual
     "And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high
     place that was at Gibeon...to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering  
     continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the  
     Lord, which he commanded Israel;" (1Chron 16:39-41, 2Chron.2:4)

     Therefore our lifting up of hands is instruction from God, and it is to be continual as the evening
     sacrifice was in the Old Testament. It was part of their daily "habitation." (Note: Eph.2:20-22)
 

What is a "sacrifice?"

The principle of sacrifice is woven through God's Redemptive plan, from Genesis to Revelation because, "without the shedding of blood [there] is no remission." (Heb.9:22, Lev.17:11)

1.  From Adam to Moses (Rom.5:12-14)
     a.  This pattern began with the "coats of skin" that God made for Adam and Eve to "cloth 
          them." (Gen.3:21) The kind of animal not mentioned. 
     b.  It continued through Abel when "he brought of the firstlings of his flock (sheep). Now God is 
          revealing that it should be a "lamb" (the "firstlings of the flock." (Gen.4:1-4)  
     c.  Next was Noah who "builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of 
          every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar." (Gen 8:20-21) Now God is 
          expanding to having an "altar" and the sacrificing of every "clean" beast and fowl.
     d.  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continued in this understanding. (Gen.12:8; 26:25; 33:20) 
          until the Law of Moses which expanded the "truth" of sacrifice even more
     
2.  From Moses to Christ (Gal.3:24)
     a.  Now the Altar had to be built a certain way. (Exod.20:22-26)
     b.  Then the revelation of offering sacrifice upon the Altar was expanded even further with 
          the Tabernacle of Moses. (Exod.25-40)

          Note: There is now a greater accountability resting upon the children of Israel because 
          with knowledge comes responsibility. (Rom.3:20; 7:7) To offer an offering as Abel did,  
          (Heb.11:4) and bring "it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it 
          unto the Lord; even that man shall be cut off from among his people." (Lev 17:9-10) The 
          blood of an innocent lamb is still required to be shed for redemption, but now there is a 
          greater understanding (knowledge, accountability) of how to present the offering. 

          This was the "present truth" (1Peter.1:12) to the generation of Moses.

     c.  The Law of Moses was continued by David and Solomon because " the law (of Moses) was 
          our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." 
          (Gal 3:24-25, Heb.9:1-26; 10:1-10) 

          It was David that drew the parallel between the lifting up of hands as 
       the evening sacrifice. (Psa.141:2, Note: Heb.13:15)

     d.  Jesus came and fulfilled the animal sacrifice. (Matt.5:17-19, Heb.9:1-26; 10:1-10)
          (1)  The pattern of blood sacrifice has not been destroyed, but fulfilled! Jesus is now the  
                 blood sacrifice. (Heb.9:1-28; 10:1-10, 1Peter.1:18-20)
          (2)  The requirement (the pattern) of the Altar has not been destroyed, but fulfilled! 
                 (Matt.5:23, 1Cor.9:13; 10:18-20, Heb.13:10)
          (3)  Only the Priests could offer the "evening sacrifice." This has not been destroyed, but  
                 fulfilled! (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10)
          (4)  The apostle Paul wrote, " By him (Jesus, the altar- Heb.13:10)  therefore let us offer 
                 the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his
                 name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well
                 pleased. (Heb 13:15-17)


The sacrifice requires "the" Altar

Thou "shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering of sacrifice, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the Lord; even that man shall be cut off from among his people." (Lev 17:8-10, Josh.22:19) There was only ONE altar!

1.  What is the Altar today?
     "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." 
     The Altar today is Jesus! (Heb.13:10-11)
2.  By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of..." (Heb.13:15)
3.  Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (2Peter.2:5)

     Note: The lifting  up of hands, requires the Altar of the Lord Jesus Christ or you will be cut off.      
     There is not "another Jesus." [Altar] (John.10:1-10; 14:6, 1Tim.2:5, 2Cor.11:1-15 / 1Kings.12:25
     -33, 2Kings.18:1-4, Amos.5:21-23) The "form of godliness" (the "form" of the altar) is rejected.  
     (2Tim.3:5) 


Only the Priests qualify to offer sacrifice on the Altar

1   No strangers 
     "And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down and when the  
     tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall
     be put to death." (Num 1:51-52) 
     a.  The priesthood could only come from Levi. (Num.1:47-54)
     b.  A stranger is an alien, or a heathen from another Nation. (Hebrew / Greek)
     c.  In Christ we are no longer "strangers" (Eph.2:11-19) but a "holy priesthood, to offer up  
          spiritual sacrifices." (1Peter.2:5)

     Note: What David is saying, you need to saved by the blood of Christ to become a 
     "priesthood" in order for the lifting of hands to be acceptable to God. Remember, the "evening  
     sacrifice CANNOT be offered upon any other Altar, and ONLY by the priesthood.

2. Strangers would pollute the holy things" 
     "These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was  
     not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said  
     unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with the  
     Urim and Thummim. (Neh 7:64-66)
     a.  This is why king Uzziah became a leper for offering incense in the Temple. 
          Uzziah "polluted" the holy things" of God because he was not a priests. (2Chron.26:16-21)
     b.  Saul presumed to be a priest and sacrificed and was rejected. (1Sam.13:1-13; 15:1-31)

     Note: David was saying you cannot pollute the holy things of God when you lift your hands 
     in worship. Today there those that are not saved (i.e. not of Levi, not of the royal priesthood) 
     writing worship songs for the money, which we sing as worship in our Churches. They "pollute"
     the "most holy things" of God. (Neh.7:64-65)

3.  This then includes what qualifies a Priest to approach God. 
     Jesus qualified as a "priest" leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps.  
     (1Peter.2:21, Matt.5:17-19, Num.4:3, 23, 30, 35 / Luke.3:23)
     a.  No Blemishes. (Lev.21:16-24) Review: Blemishes     
     b.  Washings. (Exod.30:17-21, Heb.9:10, Eph.5:26-27)
     c.  Clothing. (Exod.28:1-43, Rev.19:7-8, Isa.61:10)
     d.  Needed to be anointed. (Exod.28:41: 30:22-33, Acts.10:38 / Heb.1:9)

     Note: To lift your hands as a priest before the Lord there must be no blemish, have the proper  
     garments on and be anointed. It is quite clear that this is no causal "charismatic" thing. Not to  
     mention all the vows we make with our songs, that we never keep! (Eccl.5:1-6)

Why did David choose the "evening sacrifice?"   

God always begins with the "evening and the morning."  The evening was the period following
sunset with which the day began (Gen 1:5; Mark13:35). "The Hebrews reckoned two evenings of
each day, as appears from Ex 16:12: 30:8; 12:6 (marg.); Lev 23:5.  The "first evening" was that period when the sun was verging towards setting, and  the "second evening" the moment of actual sunset.1"

1.  David is saying, "I will put you first, give you preeminence, priority
     a.  A man after God's own heart. (Acts.13:22, 36)
     b.  Pray after this manner, "Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be..." Worship first,      
          acknowledging who God is, His position and all authority. (Matt.6:9-15)

     Note: When lift our hands it is saying I am putting you first. If we are not, then we are like those  
     during the time of Isaiah. "This people draw near me (God) with their mouth, and with their lips
     do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, (Eccl.5:1-6, Matt.6:1-7) and their  
     fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (Isa 29:13-14, Matt.15:8) The "lifting of hands" 
     can become a "form."

     It is a serious thing to lift our hands in Worship!

2.  Elijah waited until the evening sacrifice 
     "And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of 
     the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
     (1Kings 18:29-30)
     a.  At the "evening sacrifice." (1KIngs.18:36)
     b.  He repaired the Altar of the Lord in accordance to the pattern of God's Word. (1Kings.18:33)
     c.  He prepared a bullock for sacrifice, (1Kings.18:33)
     d.  Then God answered by fire and consumed "the burnt sacrifice." (1Kings.18:38)

3.  Ezra prayed and lifted his hands at the evening sacrifice
     Then "were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel,
     because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the  
     evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent 
     my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord
     my God." (Ezra 9:4-6)

The theme of the "evening." (Beginnings)

"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Gen 1:5)
    
1.  A new beginning for Noah"
     And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf
     pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth." (Gen 8:11-12)

2.  A new beginning for Rebekah
     "And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the
     evening, even the time that women go out to draw water." (Gen 24:11-12) This is where
     Rebekah was found to be the Bride for Isaac. (Gen.24:1-67, Heb.11:17-19)

3.  A beginning of months
     "And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of  
     the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening." (Ex 12:6-7) This was the first, the beginning
     of months for the children of Israel.

4.  The service began in the "evening" for the Tabernacle
     "In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and
     his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever  
     unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel." (Ex 27:21-28:1, Lev 24:3-4)

Each sacrifice had to have a sweet smelling savor

"And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done."  (Gen 8:21-22)

1.  Old Testament offerings required sweet savor
     a.  "But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, 
          to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord."
          (Lev 1:9-10; 2:2, 9, 12)                           
     b.  The acceptance of the sweet smelling savor (odor) made the offering acceptable.   
          (Lev.26:31, Amos.5:21)
    
2.  New Testament spiritual offerings still require a "sweet savor"
     a.  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also hath 
          loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling  
          savor." (Eph 5:1-3)
     b.  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were
          sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."
          (Phil 4:18-19, 2Cor.2:14, Exod...5:21)

     Note: Lifting up your hands as the evening sacrifice requires Christ to be the "sweet smelling  
     savor (preeminent) in our Praise Offering (sacrifice). This makes it acceptable to God. Without 
     Christ being preeminent, (our sweet smelling savor) it is rejected as a dead form. (Dead works)

     The Offering had to stay on the Altar

This is an important part of this pattern because once the sacrifice is made it belonged unto the Lord. until it was totally consumed. It had to remain on the altar!

1.  "But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all
     on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto 
     the Lord." (Lev 1:9-10, 12-13) 

2.  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a  
     living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:1-2) This
     is the reality (fullment, completion. of the Levitical "Burnt Offering." 
     (Review: Offerings, Page 1 and 2)

     Note: When you lift your hands in worship, you are declaring that you will remain on the altar  
     when the fire of God's Word (Jer.23:29, 1Cor.3:13-15) begins to consume you.

Lifting hands without wrath and doubting 

Paul wrote Timothy and said, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1Tim.2:8)

1.  Lifting up of hands "without wrath"
     This word has also been translated as anger,indignation, vengeance, and wrath. We have been  
     given the ministry of reconciliation, not comdemnation and wrath. (Gal.5:19-20, 2Cor.5:17-21) 
     a.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Eph.4:26)
     b. Aaron (the High Priest) lifted up his hand toward the people, and blesed them..."(Lev 9:22)
     
     Note: When you lift your hands in worship, do it without malice or wrath towards another. Jesus 
     said, "if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against
     thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, (the  
     tresspass offering / mandatory) and then come and offer thy gift." (Matt 5:23-25)

2.  Lifting up of hands "without doubting"
     This word has been translated as dispute, doubtful (-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
           More notes coming Soon!