May 12, 2018: Day 28 – Exodus 28

We need to define some terms here.  First of all, notice how Aaron as the priest is given vestments to wear.   These vestments were to set him apart.  I like the bells that he had on his vestments which were on his robe so that he would not die.  Remember Zecharia, the father of John the Baptist, who was in the temple and the people were wondering why he was taking so long?  They may not have heard the bells ringing which signified that he was wandering around in the areas where only he could go.  If you were to see the face of God you were supposed to die, so the bells might warn God that you were on your way.  Yeah, that’s probably not it.

I actually prefer to wear a robe in worship.  I remember trying to wear jeans for our second service and it just didn’t sit right.  I still don’t like the suit as much as the robe.  It doesn’t go back to Exodus for me, but it does go to the place where when I wear the robe it hides me, because it simply is not about me.  For Exodus in this Scripture it was a matter of setting Aaron apart and his role as priest.  That isn’t what I’m interested in, but I am interested in people not seeing me but rather the Lord coming through what I say and what I do.  A robe could limit distractions.

Now some definitions.  The ephod is a sleeveless vest which was decorated and adorned with all sorts of jewels and other distinguishing features which were very valuable.  The Urim and the Thummim are thought to be objects that were used to understand what the will of the Lord might be.  For example, even today some churches use lots to understand what God’s will might be.  So they could be lots, they could be other instruments of discerning God’s will as well.