One of the unique aspects of the Old Testament is that it bring great clarity to New Covenant concepts that are hard for us to connect with; it helps us grasp the full reality of New Testament ideas that are often hidden in the fabric of Old Testament frameworks.
The Tabernacle and the Priests
I have just read through Exodus 28-29. It falls in the middle of a larger discussion about the design of the tabernacle God had them build so that His presence, His glory, would dwell in their midst. This tabernacle was God’s provision to meet with and speak into the life of the people of Israel. At the same time, the people had to acknowledge and respect the holiness of God that demanded meticulous preparations (that most of us get bored reading through). If they ignored this preparation they would die (Ex. 28:35, 43). The goal of this was to come before God with such reverence and humility that they would be accepted by God (not die) and He would meet with them and speak to them (Ex. 29:42-46). He will dwell among them, He will be their God and they will know that He is the Lord their God who brought them out of Egypt (Ex.29:44-46).
Chapter 28 focuses extensively on the garments that Aaron and his sons had to wear to go before the presence of God.
Chapter 29 talks about how Moses had to prepare, purify and set apart the men (High Priest and priests) for the role of going before God on behalf of the people of Israel (Ex. 28:28-30).
So What?
The key thought for me is that Christ is now (New Testament) our great High Priest who has entered through this veil to secure an eternal hope for us. If you want further reading it is all encapsulated in Hebrews (6:19-20; 7:11-10:18) which explains the nature of Christ as our High Priest.
What that Gains for Us
We do not have to go through an earthly high priest for God to speak to us. He has revealed Himself through His Son, the Lord, Jesus. Christ has opened the way into the holy place through His sacrifice and He is our present High priest who intercedes for us so that we have immediate access to come before God – without tons of external preparation.
Treating God as Holy
This does not mean we can come before God like He is our “buddy”. What is very apparent in the Old Testament is the grandeur and glory of God and how demanding it was on the people to go through extensive preparations in order to “not die” in the presence of His holiness. Christ has done that for us and we have the freedom to access God immediately through Christ, as well as the indwelling Spirit in us. We are holy to the Lord but the challenge is to ALWAYS TREAT GOD AS HOLY in spite of the ease and freedom to speak to Him at any time we choose:
Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
(Heb 10:19-23 NAS)
Sincerely in His provision,
Pastor Brad
