“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” —Exodus 28:2 ESV (emphasis mine)

It was a dark and gloomy day. Rainy and damp and cold. Thursday, November 15, 1979, was not the day I initially planned for Ray’s and my wedding. I had envisioned a Saturday in October, when leaves were still resplendent on the trees, and the sun still warmed the blue October sky. This was the first of many lessons I was to learn about marrying a man in the United States Army. Life was not going to be predictable, and the people in charge of my husband would not cater to my desires.

Nevertheless, I was an excited bride. My bridesmaids were gathered about me as I put the beautiful white gown on my freshly showered and perfumed self. My hair was curled, and my makeup carefully applied. I had waited six long years to be Ray Gamble’s bride, and it might not be all that warm outside, but I was all sunny and glowy within! Wearing that beautiful gown and walking toward the man I still love with all my heart was a dream come true for me—and the pristine gown that declared me a bride was part of the glory and beauty of the day!

As I read our passage of Scripture for today’s Musing, I was struck by all the details surrounding the priestly garments God wanted Aaron and his sons to wear. Two entire chapters in Exodus describe these garments, and much of it is repeated in Leviticus. God was serious about what Aaron was to wear. Why? “For glory and for beauty.” I’ve been musing about that for days. What does that mean? Why was it all so detailed and downright “picky”? Here’s why, as far as I can puzzle it out:

For Glory: Aaron was not dressing for himself to make himself look grand. He was dressing to honor God. God is holy, sovereign, and worthy of all honor and praise. He is not to be approached casually with a yawn and boredom. He is Almighty God. Aaron’s clothing and his own cleanliness, which had to be perfect, told the story of God’s glory. Just as I dressed for my bridegroom, Ray, and wanted to look my very best on the day I said “yes” to him, so Aaron was to honor God and point to His glory with what he wore.

For Beauty: This delights me! God loves beauty. Just look at the world He made! Mountains, streams, ocean waves, sunsets, dainty fawns, and majestic lions all reflect God’s character and God’s love of beauty and variety, color, and pattern. Our God could have made a bland world, but He did not. God created a vibrant world full of color and contrast. Even Aaron’s robes were to reflect that.So, how do we respond to this amazing God? Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are no longer kept at a distance as the Israelites were. God draws us near. He lives within us. Jesus calls us “friends” and hears our every cry. We are blessed to enjoy fellowship with God without the barriers erected in Old Testament times to protect the people from His power and glory. And, God has not changed. He is still glorious, beautiful, and sovereign. Re-reading these passages has reminded me what an amazing privilege it is to have access to this King of kings who created me. May I enter His Presence with joy and confidence that I am His child, but also with awe at Who He Is!

Father God, how I thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word. The more I learn about You, the more I realize I don’t yet fully know You. I yearn for the day when I am one in the throng around Your throne, in awe to be in Your very presence at last! I love that the glimpses I have now make me eager and all trembly for that moment. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

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and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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