Exodus 28-31
Our Priestly Garments

Exodus 28 tells of the garments to be worn by Aaron and his sons as priest of the Hebrew people. These clothes were to be "holy garments... for glory and beauty." John MacArthur writes, "The garments were designed to exalt the office and function of the priesthood, vividly marking out Aaron as a special person..." Albert Barnes suggests, "It expresses that the office is not created or defined by the man himself, but that he is invested with it according to prescribed institution."

The priestly garments were made up of an ephod, breastplate, a robe, a tunic, a turban and a sash around the waist. These clothes, once donned, reminded the priest of his sacred role and reminded the people of his distinction as a servant of God.

In the economy of God's kingdom today, there is no authority for a separate class of people to serve as priest to the Lord. Rather, all of God's people are priest in His service. "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... But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praise of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light," 1 Peter 2:5, 9.

As priest today, what are the garments we are to wear? One could easily list things like modesty, holy living, peaceful language, kindness to others-the list is as long as the New Testament. There is to be something distinct about us-something that visibly shows the world we are living with different purposes from others.

Both MacArthur and Barnes have interesting thoughts then when applied to the new priesthood today. Our different lifestyle and choices ought to "exalt" the Christian life (not the Christian, but the life). We have the duty to show others that we are different; that we have nobler purposes. When you became a Christian, you "put off" the old way of living and "put on" a new way (Colossians 3). People you have known for years ought to look at you differently now. If they don't, then perhaps you aren't adorning yourself as a priest of God. Our behavior ought to reflect positively on Christianity. People shouldn't look at us and, because of our worldly behavior, think less of Christ.

And, our garments communicate to others our differences are not inherent; they are not natural. If we acted naturally, then we would behave like the world. No, as Barnes noted regarding the garments of the priest, our priestly garments today express to the world that the role we serve was not created by us, but rather it is something we are granted. We live different lives not because it makes sense to us, or because we have figured this out. We live these lives because God has saved us and this is what He wants from us. If left to ourselves, we would likely act like everyone else. But, because we believe in God, we submit our spirits to Him and act as He would have us act.

So, what are you wearing today? Do you "priestly garments"-your life-show you to be distinctly a servant of God? Do you exalt the life of a Christian to others? Do you show the righteousness of God?