Weekly Passages: Exodus 27:20-30:10; Ezekiel 43:10-27; Hebrews 13:10-17

In Exodus 28, in the midst of instructions for building the tabernacle and bringing sacrifices, God sets out his specification for the outfits that his priests should wear and the preparation they should undergo to discharge their ministry. The surprising level of detail in these chapters shows that God cares very deeply about how his servants are clothed.

For Glory and Beauty

The outfit designed for Aaron to wear in his office of High Priest comprised an ephod, breastplate, robe, turban, tunic and sash – all outlined by God with meticulous attention to detail (and each worthy of a Bible study in their own right!). To use today's language, this was a 'bespoke' outfit, created not for fashion but for symbolic beauty, not for weather-proof functionality but for priestly glory. Aaron's wardrobe set him apart as 'Holy to the Lord' (Ex 28:36).

Many Hands

Interestingly, God chose to include many people in the process of creating these priestly garments. Whilst God designed the clothes, he hand-picked skilled craftsmen to bring his designs to life. God singled out Bezalel and Oholiab from among the children of Israel, filling them with wisdom by the Holy Spirit to accomplish this special task (see Ex 31, 35:4-36:7).

Not only this, but the rich materials required for the garments (including wool, linen, gold and precious stones) were all contributed voluntarily by God's people. In a striking foreshadowing of the New Covenant, the Israelites were not required to give out of duty but were encouraged to give freewill offerings, as prompted by the Holy Spirit. This was a faith venture - dependent on everyone "who was willing and whose heart moved them" (Ex 35:21). In the end, so much was given that the craftsmen had far more than they needed.

What Are You Wearing?

Whilst we are not required to wear Levitical garments, God has never stopped caring about the raiment of his people – his "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). We are encouraged to clothe ourselves with Christ (Rom 13:14), to "put off" the old self and to "put on" the new (Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:10). We are exhorted to wear "the full armour of God" (Eph 6) and to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col 3:12-14). In Revelation, the outward appearance of these "righteous acts of the saints" are white robes of "fine linen, bright and clean" (19:8, 3:18).

God knows in fine detail the apparel required by our new roles as priests of his kingdom – for it is the apparel acquired for us by his Son, Christ Jesus, our eternal Great High Priest (Hebrews 10:1-22). No other clothing is clean enough. Those who try to enter the sanctuary of God without it, like guests turning up at a wedding without their wedding clothes, will be refused entry (Mtt 22:11-13).

God's Work, God's Strength

Thankfully, it is God himself who clothes us with "garments of salvation and...a robe of righteousness" (Isa 61:10). It is only through trusting in Christ's sacrifice, once for all, that we receive this imperishable heavenly outfit.

And while salvation wins us eternal robes of righteousness, life then becomes a process of allowing God to strip off our filthy, sin-stained rags and re-clothe us in this new regalia. This can only be achieved through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, by whom we are "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

Co-Labourers in the Kingdom

How utterly powerless we are on our own to walk this narrow path – how completely dependent we are on God! But if God cares about the lilies of the field enough to clothe them with more splendour than Solomon, how much more will he take care over our spiritual raiment?

As part of this lesson in humility, we must also understand that God often chooses to work through others to re-clothe us, through the power of the Holy Spirit. For each person who responds to the call to enter the Kingdom of Christ, God hand-picks Bezalels and Oholiabs – teachers, pastors, friends, family - and gives them skills and wisdom with which they can help re-robe the child of God. Meanwhile, the Lord prompts countless others at just the right time and in the right place to sow generously out of their own resources into this Kingdom venture.

For those who gave into the creation of the priestly garments, whether their contribution was little or large, the common factor uniting them all was their willingness to respond to God's call. Is God nudging you to invest in someone else today? Or is he prompting you to give freely and generously out of whatever you have in your hands? Let's yield ourselves willingly to his purposes.

Author: Frances Rabbitts