GLORY AND BEAUTY

Text: Exodus 28:1-30

And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.

Exodus 28:2 NKJV

The bible text highlights the physical symbols of holiness and consecration associated with all whom the lord will draw near as priests. But, how relevant is this passage to us?

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(I Peter 2:4‭-‬5 NKJV) Again, 

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;(1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)

And in Revelations 5 "And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

(Revelation 5:9 -10 NKJV)

The above passages will help us understand the significance of this text to us as new testament believers. What is expected of Jesus as a high priest and us as priests, have been foreshadowed in what God ordained for Aaron and his children. 

priesthood is an office that God calls one into by his own choice and appointment. Not by merit nor by lobbying but by grace and divine predestination. Likewise, Grace is open to all today, yet according to Romans 8,  it is those he *"foreknew" and those he *"predestined" that may be called. "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."(Romans 8:29 NKJV). It is from among these many called priests (children of God) that God selects some and specifically designate as pastors and ministers. Therefore, the first prerequisite is that one must be divinely chosen and appointed just like Aaron and his sons out of all the Levites and all other tribes of Israel. Every born again Christian stands as a priest before God, yet some are called into the pastoral ministry as to bear burdens before God.

In addition, the various priestly robes designate the important duties of the priest; Holiness unto the Lord and bearing of burdens before Him. The priests entry point into the presence of God is holiness and his business before the lord is to minister to the lord on behalf of other believers. For this he requires a heart of love which can effectively bear burden before God, hence the turban's inscription and the breastplate bearing the twelve tribes. 

Furthermore, every priest standing before God must see His children as precious Jewels set in gold. They are extremely important to God, so every minister must carefully discern for the people, through God's written word  and guidance of the holy spirit ( in place of Urim and thummin). it is sad that today many still use fetish objects for discernment, quoting this part of the scriptures.

Lastly, the inner garments of the priests were made of linen to ensure that God's work is not tainted by sweat, representative of man's personal effort. Everything from start to finish must be to the glory of God. Moreso, we must appear before God properly covered and not like the heathens whose priest stand naked. God is very much interested in our decency. Dressing anyhow we please before God is something that should never be encouraged.

Father, for grace to uphold your precepts and live my life to beautify and glorify your name, in Jesus name. Amen. 🙏