FWD: Morning Manna (Mar. 2); BP: Ex. 28:36-38; RBTTY: Mk. 8:1-21; Num.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 04:41:21 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Mar. 2); BP: Ex. 28:36-38; RBTTY: Mk. 8:1-21; Num.
 

March 2                                                                                                                  “Holiness to the Lord”

 

“And you shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’.”

                                                                                                                                                Exodus 28:36

     This should always be indelibly etched upon our heart and foremost in our mind.

     “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

     Engraved in Hebrew on a solid, gold plate, these words were to always be attached to a blue lace band that wrapped around the High Priest’s “mitre” or “turban” whenever he wore his priestly garb.  This was usually a long piece of fine linen cloth, usually around eight yards in length, wound around the head and fastened in the back.

 

     Every part of the High Priest’s attire was special and made by those who were “wise-hearted and filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Ex. 28:3).  This included an “ephod,” which was a two-piece covering, made of fine linen, and joined at the shoulders by clasps or buckles of gold, along with two onyx stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (vv.7-8).

 

     The High Priest’s ephod was different than other priests’, being embroidered with various colors in artistic design (vv.6-7).  And, around his waist he wore an accompanying “curious girdle” (v.8a) or linen sash that was also embroidered with interwoven strands of gold, blue, purple and scarlet (v.8b).

 

     Likewise, he wore a “four-square breastplate of judgment, made out of fine linen and embroidered with strands of gold, blue, purple and scarlet” (vv.15-16).  And on it were four rows of precious stones set in gold settings, with each stone bearing the name of one of the 12 tribes (vv.17-21).  Underneath it, right above his heart, was a pocket that contained the “Urim and Thummin” (v.30), which were used in making judgments.

 

     Underneath this all the Priest would wear a seamless, blue robe with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet on the hem, with bells placed between each one (vv.31-33).  On top of this robe, he would wear a “coat of fine linen” (v.39), which would complete his priestly attire.

 

     But, none of these items compared to the golden plate placed over his forehead that read, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”  This served two purposes:  To remind him of his responsibility in dealing with the sins of the people and to remind the people of their responsibility to the Lord.  Likewise, it also reminded the Priest himself of his sacred calling and the need to live a holy life.

 

     Dear Pilgrim, our High Priest is Jesus, Who even now is interceding for us in Heaven (Heb. 7:24-25).  However, we, too, are called to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people so we can show forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9).  And, we cannot fulfill this unless we are “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2) and live “holy lives” unto the Lord and before others (Eph. 1:4; 5:27; I Tim. 2:8; I Pet. 1:15-16; 2:5).   May that be first and foremost in our thoughts today.