Exodus 28:1-5. Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor. Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. (See v. 6-43 for more detailed instructions from the Lord)
Aaron and all the priests that followed him were to wear special garments, garments that would set them apart from others, set apart for my service. You, too, are to wear “special garments” – you are to put on the mind of Christ. You are to wear a different way of living, a different way of thinking, a radically different way of relating to the world and to others. People should be able to look at you and know that you are different, that you are Mine. Your life, your words, your actions, your attitudes and beliefs – all should paint a picture of someone set apart from the regular, everyday people in the world. Those who know me, who walk with me, should be able to look at you and recognize your relationship with me. Those that do not know me, they should watch you in wonder. Their opinion of you should be that you are different from most others they know – they should see peace and joy in you, strength in times of great trouble, wisdom in times of confusion and uncertainty, love in times of hatred and violence. They should see the qualities exemplified by Christ in His life. They should look at you and want to know what it is that makes you what you are. Those are the “special garments” I want you to wear. Will you?
Just as I specifically instructed Moses in the construction of those special garments for my priests, so I instruct you specifically as to how you are to live. Read my Word. Listen to my voice. Stop trying to figure it out. I am telling you in many ways. Watch those women who are mine, truly mine. Do what they do. Ask questions, you really don’t know everything. More than anything else, stay in constant communication with me. Remember when you were doing that? Your life, at that point, seemed to be falling apart in every way, however you were closer to me than ever before or since, and you had a deep-down peace that even you couldn’t understand or explain. Don’t you want that back? I know I want you to get back there. Talk to me. All day. About everything. Others may have tired of listening to you. I never do.
Notice where I placed the article of clothing that was used to determine My will – the chestpiece – close to the heart of the priest. Give me your heart, all of it. Speak to me from the heart. Listen to me not only with your ears, but also with your heart. And never forget that I am your lover, you are always in my heart. Keep me in yours, also.
Notice that I am directing a medallion to go on the priest’s turban that reads “set apart as holy to the Lord”. The medallion goes on the priest’s head — directing his thoughts. So I would have your mind set apart to me. Do your thoughts reflect your relationship to me? Or better yet, do they reflect my love for you? (2003)
Amanuensis 