Inspiration

ENSEMBLE DESIGNED BY GOD

By Connie Arnold

Did you ever wonder what God wanted his representatives to wear? He did not intend for the Old Testament priests to wear sackcloth and ashes as they stood in His Presence, offering sacrifices for the sins of the Israelites.

Exodus, chapter 28, goes into great detail as to the materials making up the priestly garments: blue, purple, crimson, gold, precious jewels, fine linen. As for the garment makers “…you shall speak to all who have ability, whom I have endowed with skill, that they make Aaron’s vestments to consecrate him for my priesthood,” (Exodus 28: 3, NRSV). Note the phrase whom I have endowed with skill. He gave them the pattern and the skill to put them together.

How would the slaves, under the thumb of Pharoah assigned to brickmaking, have the know- how to dream up an elaborate costume for their future high priest? When their heads hit their pillows at night, it was not one of their dreams; their heads were too full of survival and their hands were too rough to handle delicate work.

Moses was not rescued from the reeds at the river’s edge solely for the purpose of saving his life. Brought up as the prince of Egypt, he was acquainted with many things: architecture, art, mathematics, precious gems; royal clothing. Educated as a prince in the most progressive culture of his time, God was preparing an intellect that could understand his commands while preparing a heart that could learn to be gentle and caring. Moses was amenable to seeing his brother, Aaron, fulfill the office of high priest.

Moses listened and understood God’s instructions for constructing the tabernacle, and when the people finished it, the glory of God in the form of a cloud entered it, showing His approval. Moses understood the pattern for Aaron’s holy garments. Only after Aaron was ritually cleansed and dressed in his priestly attire, was he accepted into the Holy of Holies for the purpose of making a sin offering for the transgressions of the Israelites.

“…just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses,” (Hebrews 3:2b, 3:3a). Jesus is our High Priest. Moses had the Law; we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Aaron sacrificed the blood of animals for the sins of Israel once a year. Jesus, Our High Priest, only had to sacrifice himself once for all people. God designed a special ensemble for the High Priest of Moses’ day, but still it was a pale shadow of the glory of heavenly raiment.

Fast forward to now: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells within you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV).

Christ invites us to stand before the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies and He gives protective covering to us. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for the Lord has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,” (Isaiah 61:1a, NTSV). The songwriter said, “…dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne….”

In completing this analogy, God spoke to Moses on the mountain. God speaks to us through His Word. “So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son,” (John 1:14, NLT). We have just left the Advent Season where we celebrated the birth of the Holy Child born to make a path for man to follow from darkness into light, from eternal separation from God to eternal life with Him.

Our written Bible lays out the attributes of God as Jesus portrayed them when He lived on earth. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).

Approach with caution: It can overcome you and may bring changes.