Worshiping in Exile


As we look to the scriptures for comfort and hope in these difficult times, an important reference for us is the Old Testament story of the experience of the Jewish exiles in Babylon.  In 586 BCE the southern kingdom of the Jews were conquered by the Babylonians.  Many of the leading citizens were carried into exile in Babylon.
Not only were these people cut off from home. they felt in many ways exiled from their faith.  For the Jewish people of that era it was exceptionally important to them to worship in the Temple in Jerusalem. Such passion for the Temple is noted in the sixty-ninth Psalm in which the Psalmist declares, “It is zeal for your house that has consumed me.”  The Ancient Jews believed that the presence of God was more strongly experienced in the sacred space of the Temple where they carried out their sacrificial rites and other rituals of faith.
The COVID-19 virus has in a sense exiled us.  Though we remain in our homes, we find ourselves living in a strange and alien way.  In our time of exile, we like our Ancient Jewish fore-bearers find ourselves in some ways exiled from our faith as we are no longer gathering in our houses of worship.  We know that God is always with us but most of us feel a little closer to God when we are in a sanctuary or other space set apart for the worship of God.
Those Ancient Jews did not let their exile from the Temple deter their worship of God.  In the opening chapter of the book which bears his name Ezekiel tells us, “I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”
In exile, the Ancient Jews would, on their day of worship, gather by the river, read the scriptures, pray and sing the songs of their faith.  Though they could not make their way to the Temple to carry out their sacrificial rites and faith rituals, they adapted and carried out their faith as the circumstances presented themselves.
            Today we find ourselves “gathering by the river.”  We have adapted our worship to the present realities.  No, we can’t gather in our worship spaces. However, we can worship through the technology of the day.  The online worship experience has become the “river” by which we gather.  Through online sermons, music and devotion we experience worship in a new way. 
After this crisis has passed and we return from this time of exile, we may not remember much of the content that we have heard in these experiences.  We may not remember the songs, the prayers, or the words of our pastors.  However, we will always remember that we worshiped.
            The people of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are drawn to gather.  Our gathering may look a little different these days; however, as we gather as God’s people may we, like Ezekiel, discover God’s vision.

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