Worship In the Patriarchal Period

The central figure of patriarchal worship is Abraham, who received Yahweh's promise of land and descendants. The book of Genesis records the history of Israel's ancestors from their nomadic beginnings. Abraham was called by Yahweh to leave his country and travel to a new land. A promise was given to Abraham that his name would be great and his family would become a mighty nation (Gen. 12). These themes originate in Genesis and weave throughout the whole of Israel's history. The fulfillment of these promises became the impetus for the people's response of worship and thanksgiving. At Hebron, Abraham built the first altar to Yahweh in thanksgiving for the promise of the land (Gen. 13:18). Worship was offered to Yahweh after Abraham defeated the four kings (Gen. 14:17-24). The worship was "led" by Melchizedek,"the priest of God Most High. " Bread and wine were part of the worship. Melchizedek pronounced a blessing on Abraham (cf. Heb. 7:13). Abraham responded by giving the high priest…