Dear Family,
Today is Thursday, June 13, 2024. It is Day 47 and Day 5 of Week 7 in our Count to Pentecost.
Prior to entering into covenant with Israel, God wanted Moses to “sanctify” the people “today and tomorrow.” He also wanted them dressed appropriately in clean clothes. God also instructed the people to “come not at your wives.” These instructions to sanctify or separate the people were a vital part of the necessary preparation for this important marriage covenant.
Exodus 19:10-11, 14-15 (10) And the LORD said unto Moses; Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, (11) And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai; (14) And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (15) And he said unto the people; Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.
There are numerous instances in both the Old and New Testaments where God required sanctification, cleansing, and appropriate attire for those He expected to interact with Him or to act for Him in a situation. We find specific instructions for Aaron and his sons as they were to serve before the Lord. Here are a few examples from the Torah.
Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.
Exodus 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Numbers 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.
Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen
Leviticus 6:10(A) And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh….
Today, God requires His people to be sanctified and clean, as well. Of course, there should be proper personal dress, cleanliness, and hygiene. Yet, for the Church of God today, God shows us that Christ is sanctifying us and cleansing us “by the word” in order to prepare us to be His wife. He obviously directs that the Church “should be holy,” with appropriate, clean clothing, having no spot, wrinkle, or blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Of course, while we obviously need to physically comply with these instructions, God is far more focused on the spiritual significance of these instructions and our spiritual approach and intent. Let us be ready to fellowship with God and His sanctified ones this Pentecost.
Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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