Corona Devo 258

Some people begin to nod off when reading the Old Testament in the Bible, however I find the details fascinating (and at-times perplexing), but always bringing me back for more.  Over and over, Old Testament happenings foretell, predict, and provide example of New Testament truths.  Both Testaments tell the same story, and Jesus both separates and connects the two.    

In Exodus, as God sets apart Aaron (Moses' brother) and his sons to serve as priests for the people (connecting them to God).  God gets very specific about the required apparel and adornments that Aaron will wear, and accordingly, God has purpose in every piece of it.  Purpose for Aaron back then, and purpose for us as God's priests today.  (Jesus overcame the Old Testament rule that we needed a priest or physical sacrifice to get to God.  Jesus became that sacrifice for us, and if we choose to accept Him, then we become "priests" in His service.)  

So what did Aaron wear, and how do his priestly garments affect us today? 

First of all, as children of the King of Kings, there are jewels, precious stones and gold involved, and God also incorporated the history of His people into Aaron's robings.  The honor that is due to the Lord would be impossible to stitch together in an outfit, but God ordained the skilled craftsmen to Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. (Exodus 28:2).

6 “The craftsmen must make the ephod of finely woven linen and skillfully embroider it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread...9 “Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel. 10 Six names will be on each stone, arranged in the order of the births of the original sons of Israel... 12 Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord.  (Exodus 28:6, 9-10, 12)

15 “Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn...17 Mount four rows of gemstones on it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald. 18 The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. 19 The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst. 20 The fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will be set in gold filigree. 21 Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal. (Exodus 28:15, 17-21).

As I picture it: there was an ephod (sleeveless garment, like a loose sheath-dress) with an onyx stone attached to each shoulder.  These two stones were large enough to hold the engraved names of the 12 tribes of Israel, 6 on each stone.  

Then, on top of that layer, Aaron wore a chestpiece that consisted of 4 rows with 3 gemstones in each row.  

The spiritual ancestry that we have in the history and legacy of God and His people are jewels in our Christian chestpieces.  God used beautiful, natural, valuable resources to remind Aaron and us of the treasure that following God is.  The history of God's people is valuable.  It is heavy.  And we should wear it with pride and with an awareness of its value and cost.     

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.   (Exodus 28:29)

When we go into the "Holy Place" with God, we carry the treasure and jewels of the history of God's people with us.  Even if our "Holy Place" is 60 seconds glancing at the "verse of the day" that popped up on our screen and then whispering a prayer, or even if our "Holy Place" is stepping into an empty room or behind a closed bathroom door as we seek solace for a moment from the family circus that performs daily in our homes.  And even if our "Holy Place" is some quiet time with a mug of coffee and God's word before the day begins: we can carry with us on our proverbial sacred chestpiece the jewels of innumerable Christ-followers who have sought the same "Holy Place" over the centuries.  We are connected to them in the jewels of our shared trials and triumphs in Christ.

36 “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: HOLY TO THE LORD. (Exodus 28:26)

Aaron wore this medallion as an intercessor for the people and their sin coming before God. But as we apply these verses to ourselves today, Jesus has fulfilled that intercessor role, and we can bow our heads and wear this medallion of pure gold with a different application than Aaron.  God places it around our neck and calls each of us HOLY TO THE LORD.  You are holy to the Lord.  Each of us is holy to the Lord.  Like the precious gems and stones on the garments, we are valuable and beautiful to our God.  He sees us as holy to Himself.  

Not many of us woke up today feeling that we were HOLY TO THE LORD, but as God's children, we are.  We are precious jewels adorned to His chest.

We share in a rich history of believers who have toiled and rejoiced as they pursued the call of God on their lives.  The stories of our spiritual history are valuable jewels in both meaning and responsibility.  Today, I pray we can go forth feeling bedazzled in them.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com