Dressed in My Best

O. T. #230  "Dressed in My Best"
Feb. 18, 2014
Exodus 28-Part 2
Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor.  Exodus 28:1


LET IT GLOW

When are some times that we dress in our best? I can think of weddings, funerals, Easter and Christmas church services, even some banquets and special meetings. Why do I do that? Isn't God more important than what others think of me? Shouldn't I be dressed in my best whenever I go to the house of the Lord for worship? Doesn't He deserve my best? Aren't we set apart for His service? Do I honor my Lord in how I dress for worship? (Perhaps I should not dress casual on Sunday and Wednesday nights for service.)

Aaron's priestly wardrobe showed how important his role  was in the religious life of Israel. His sons and the tribe of Levi were going to be a part of the priesthood, also. (However, we know that two of Aaron's sons disobeyed God's instructions in Leviticus 10 and died.) It was not by self-appointment that these men came to their position. Their duties of worship and sacrifices were defined in the law.

Not only were the garments of the priests designed to exalt the office and function of the priesthood, but they distinctly marked Aaron as a special person playing a significant mediatorial role. This is the first reference in God's instructions to Moses that certain men would be especially empowered by Him to work skillfully on this construction project.  (MacArthur)

A priest had to mediate between the individual and Almighty God. None of the offerings (in Leviticus 1-7) could be offered by a common person. These were the offerings of: sweet savor offerings of whole burnt, meal, peace; the non-sweet offerings for sin and trespasses. (Falwell)

I think that God wanted His servants and intercessors in the Tabernacle dressed in the best. Probably you will agree after we study each piece of the priestly wardrobe. Not only was their dress to be honorable, but I imagine it was humbling, also. It must have been such a beautiful sight.

The sacred garments for the high priest (Aaron) to wear were:

• to give him dignity and honor;
• made by the skilled men which God gave wisdom for the tasks;
• for his consecration;
• so he may serve God as priest;
• to be made with gold, blue purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

Again, I must say that believers in Jesus are priests (1 Peter 2:5,9). We can enter the throne room of God because of the blood which Jesus shed for us, as a sin offering. Jesus intercedes for us to the Father. We do not need a priest here for such things.


LET IT GROW

Looking at the whole priestly garment we read:

• The innermost garment of the priests was a pair of linen breeches or undergarments (verse 42-43) reaching from the waist to the thigh. All priests were to wear them while inside the Tabernacle and especially approaching the altar.
• Next was a fine linen coat or woven tunic (verses 39-41), with a sash tied around it (part of the undergarment).
• Over these, the high priest wore the blue robe of the ephod (verses 31-35);
• Next was the ephod itself;
• Then the holy breastplate (verses 6-30).
• Finally, the high priest wore a linen turban (mitre) with a golden plate on it that read "holiness to the Lord" (verses 36-38).

[Resources: Wiersbe' Expository Outlines on the Old Testament, New International Version of the Bible, Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

How do we dress when we go to the house of God for worship and offerings? Do we wear our casual, everyday attire or do we dress up in special clothing, signifying that our God is important to us and we want to wear our best for Him? (Of course, God looks at the heart instead of the clothes, but what we wear is an indication of our heart's condition.)

LET IT GO...

                        of worldly ways and strive to please God.
                                    of casual attitudes and attire when going to the house of God.
                                    of personal comfort for His honor.