Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 28:2 (New International Version)

Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor.

Clothes can provide dignity and honor. That makes sense. There is much in culture about dressing for success. How a person looks does have an affect – both positive and negative – on the people around the person.

Does this mean that if you are to stand and do something in church that you should wear a coat and tie? Must women wear dresses not pants to church services?

Some people will respond absolutely yes to this questions. Some people will cringe when they hear these old-fashioned questions. Some people will just shrug, laugh, and go on.

For some people, these questions are heart breakers. They suffered through shame and scorn because of these things.

But, here it is in black and white. Clothing supplies dignity and honor. Shouldn’t we come to church in a manner of dignity and honor? Shouldn’t we do the best we can for God?

I think the key words here are to give him diginity and honor. The clothing gave the diginity and honor to Aaron and the other priests. The clothing didn’t give these to God.

How do we honor and dignify God? I think my fulfilling the two greatest commandments:

1. Love God
2. Love our fellow man