And His Garments | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 17, 1878

"And His Garments."

AARON'S consecration must have been very solemn and impressive. The people gathered in dense silent masses before the tabernacle, how eagerly they look on the scene! After the purification with water, Moses arrayed Aaron in all the beautiful and elaborate garments of priesthood. The anointing oil and the sprinkling blood completes the work, and Aaron, the consecrated priest was presented to the people as one evermore set apart to God's service.

It is significantly added that not only was he to be hallowed, but his garments: "And he shall be hallowed and his garments," it is written. These were to be consecrated. Upon these fell the sprinkled blood. They were set apart to God's service. The person of the priest and the very garments he wore that day were hallowed, consecrated.

In all this is set forth Christian consecration. It is made distinct and prominent in the colors about Aaron's person. If Christians, we are all priests. Every man, every woman, every little child, every soul loving God, is in this solemn priesthood. "And he hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father," says John. "Ye also as lively stones," says Peter, "are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Consecrated to God's service, that is the impressive thought the apostles ring out in the hearing of Christians. They are set apart from the world. A separating line, a high wall, runs between the two parties. In invitations and warnings; in praise and rebuke; in admonitions and injunctions; by implication and statement, is this consecrated life enforced. Cut off from sin, set apart to God we must be.

The thoroughness of this consecration is all anticipated in the Aaronic investiture of the priesthood. "He shall be hallowed, and his garments." I am very glad that the words "and his garments," were added. It places everything in the shadow of the act of consecration. It suggests to the Christian that not only he himself, but that which clothes him, appertains to him, belongs to him, should be regarded as consecrated.

What are houses and lands, personal property, stocks, goods in traffic or materials in our trades, but the garments we carry about? They shift in value as our garments do in pattern. They may shrink in a panic and prove valueless as does our clothing after long wear. They are transient as the coats or dresses we may put on, and must ultimately perish. They cannot go with us into the next life. We leave them at the door, as we would an overcoat on entering a house. They are transient garments, and while worn they are to be held as consecrated. The blood of sprinkling is on them. "Everything on the altar!" is the injunction. It was this spirit that urged Edwards to say of his memorable consecration. "I have given myself clean away."

As I recall then the scene in Exodus, the gathered congregation and the solemn investiture of Aaron with the beautiful insignia of his office, it is a significant cry that I hear, "And he shall be hallowed, and his garments."—Sel.