3.5.25
Good morning!
One topic that is overlooked by most...in fact, I've never heard one sermon on it outside of the topic of modesty...is the garments we wear. From our inception God has woven/sakak (Psa. 139:13) us after the pattern of the Tabernacle's fine twined linen (Ex. 25:4), which is the garment that must be worn to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb (Matt. 22:12; Rev. 19:7,8).
In this week's Torah portion, Tetzaveh/you shall command (Ex. 27:20-30:10) the focus is on the priestly garments and the incredible details given to each part of their garments; 8 for the High Priest and 4 for the family of priests. The purpose for the garments are found in two words: glory/kevod and beauty/tiferet (Ex. 28:2).
If we stop to look through the pages of Scripture we will find clothing and/or garments/beged are virtually in every story. They make up the character of the person or they can be a smoke screen to hide the reality of the person. We will talk about this in detail on our Friday night zoom call :-)
The Apostle Paul tells us to put on the armour of light (Rom. 13:12), which is the provision we have in our wardrobe to battle the dark days we live in (Col. 3:11-17). The virtuous woman, of Proverbs 31, is also someone who knows how to dress to the '9's...she is clothed in strength/oz and dignity/hadar (Prov. 31:25). It's this clothing that she wore day and night to be the bride that she was/is (Prov 31:10-32). Her clothing gives her the ability to smile/sahaq in the face of adversity and trust in the Lord for whatever will come during uncertain times.
When she puts these garments on daily, she's not only a blessing to her husband, her kids, but to herself and those she comes in contact with as she labors for His glory every day. This is made clear with the strength/oz that includes capability, protection, a safe haven and the ability to defend when needed.
Oh that every woman who recognizes her calling to wear the garment of strength/oz as an ezer kenegdo/helper, who supports and shows appropriate opposition to her husband and role model for her daughters. When she covers herself with strength she also wears the splendor of God in her dignity/hadar (Psa. 29:4; 45:4; 111:3; etc)...both strength and dignity God placed upon us to wear from the very beginning (Psa. 8:5).
Still, in the middle east, Asia and the far east clothing indicates more than fashion. For many, today, clothing still has that reality. In our American culture we know this clearly within the business and sporting world where everyone with the same identity dresses alike, so you will know the difference between your teammates and the opponent.
Garments, in Scripture, carry with it status, rank and even the character of the person. Could this be the reason why Scripture exhorts us to be clothed in righteousness, clothed in His glory, and live in such a way so one day our nakedness doesn't appear and we hear the words 'well done'...BTW, you look marvelous in that fine twined linen.
Happy 4th day of the week!
Shalom
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