Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. – Exodus 29:5

Today's Scripture Reading (November 29, 2024): Exodus 29

I have been listening to a podcast about the development of the early 24-hour news channels and the emergence of Fox News. One of the stories involved the dress code for women at one of the stations. According to the report, women at this news outlet were required to wear dresses or short skirts, and there were lights under the desks to highlight their bare legs. Women who, up until this time, preferred pants were forced to change their mode of dress so that they could be put on the air. All I could think of was someone trying to tell Rachel Maddow that she had to wear a dress and have her legs lit from below the desk. But this is how that news was, and if we are honest, sometimes still is, peddled to the audience. 

Aaron needed to be clothed, but not with his own coverings or the items that he was used to wearing. He needed to be dressed in the clothes provided by God. It is a familiar tale within the Biblical narrative; a change of life often means a change in clothes, but not a change into something demeaning and uncomfortable. The change of clothes is intended to give us respect.

It is part of the story told by the Prophet Zechariah. In the Prophet's vision, he sees Joshua, the High Priest, standing before God. Zechariah records the vision this way.

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes."

Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you."

Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by.

The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here (Zechariah 3:3-7).

What was dirty, tattered, or simply inappropriate was removed, and the clean and honorable coverings were to be put on. Charles Spurgeon brings this passage into our lives.

Note, that these garments were provided for them. They were at no expense in buying them, nor labor in weaving them, nor skill in making them; they had simply to put them on. And you, dear child of God, are to put on the garments which Jesus Christ has provided for you, at his own cost, and freely bestows upon you out of boundless love (Charles Spurgeon).

 Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 30