Reflect God’s Glory and Holiness! “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:12-14. This is the bottom line of Ex. 39.
# 37 2025 Dev. Ex.39:8. God’s Glory and Holiness! Read all of chapter thirty-nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ex. 39:8 “They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.”
Ex.39 tells us about the priestly garments and the sacred garment of the High Priest as well as the work finished, presented to Moses, all made as God had commanded. This is what it looked like.
Vs.1-7 The Ephod was a sacred apron worn by the High Priest. It included the history of Israel, connecting the High Priest to the twelve tribes. Further it reflected God’s glory and holiness. This attire was only used in the sanctuary in worship of God, never worn when dealing with the congregation.
Vs.8-21 “The Breastpiece made like the Ephod, including four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl;the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” The elaborate dress was a physical presence of God’s glory and holiness, much like God’s creation reflects God’s glory and His holiness, but it does not end with creation or with the worship attire of the High Priest; you, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” and add forgiveness. This is the bottom line, and how God’s glory and holiness is displayed in us! Instead of a physical seal we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Vs.22-31 “Other Priestly Garments. They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar…The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses. For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen.”
Vs. 32-43 “Moses inspects the Tabernacle…The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So, Moses blessed them.” God blesses all those who listen to God’s commands, even with our imperfections.
What we saw with Charlie Kirk’s assassination this week, is the complete opposite of these commands: “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Charlie lived and died for these commands! God bless his family.
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Heavenhigh 