Exodus 28:1-4, 15, 29-30, 36-38 “Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. 2 Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. 3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests….. 15 “Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God….. 29 “In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. 30 Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord…. 36 “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord. 37 Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain. 38 Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.
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 