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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I praise you today for your holiness. You are “the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy” (Isa 57:15). The Seraphim praise you saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isa 6:3). Yet your holiness does not keep me from your presence. You sent your Son to be my High Priest and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for my sins. I worship you for giving me access to your throne through Jesus Christ. Today in Your Word Today you told me about the design of the priestly garments. The ephod (a kind of apron) and the breastpiece had the names of the twelve tribes on them, signifying that the priests represented the people to you. The robe was hemmed with golden bells and pomegranates. The bells provided a joyful sound to accompany Aaron as he ministered in the Tabernacle, and the pomegranates represented fruitfulness, pointing to the fruitfulness of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (1 Cor 15:20). The golden diadem had two purposes: to “take away the iniquity of the holy things” and that the people “may be accepted before the Lord” (Exod 28:38 NASB). What a striking picture of Christ’s priestly ministry! The breeches covered the nakedness of the high priest so he would not die, emphasizing how seriously you take the issue of modesty. The instructions you gave Moses for the seven-day priestly ordination ceremony showed that Aaron and his sons needed to be cleansed, clothed and consecrated by blood sacrifice before they could minister before you. Reflection Your instructions for the priestly garments and the ordination ceremony underscore to me the importance you place on beauty, holiness and obedience. Do I remember that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and take my privileged status in Christ seriously? (1 Pet 2:5). Request Father, help me today to recognize the seriousness of sin and the necessity of cleansing and consecration. Give me the grace I need to maintain a life of obedience to your will. Thanksgiving Thank you for the beautiful picture of Christ’s ministry as High Priest that you have given me in the Levitical priesthood. The law truly had a “shadow of the good things to come” (Heb 10:1). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “The Priest’s Position Holy Is” by Witness Lee. Meditation Verse: Exodus 29:43-46. |