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In today’s reading—Exodus 28–29—Moses continued sharing some pretty intricate details, this time focusing on the priestly attire and the sacrificial system.

Moses described the priestly garments in great detail, from the undergarments to the golden accessories worn. At this time in their history, Israel had no king ruling over them. In other nations, a king’s clothing signified their authority. They set him apart from the people. Similarly, God set apart His priests through their sacred attire, marking them as set apart for His service.

Today, we are not separated as special to God by status or position. Yesterday, we saw how only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, whereas now, through Christ, every believer has become the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. Spiritual authority is not confined to priests (or pastors) alone. As the apostle Peter declares in 1st Peter 2:9,

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Our value is not determined by our position it is given because God loves us without partiality. However, just as the priests of Israel symbolically put on garments of authority, we are called to clothe ourselves spiritually. Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:22 and 24,

"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

For those who are in Christ—that is, those who have committed to Him as Savior and Lord—God has given spiritual authority, setting us apart as His servants. Each day we need to walk in our new identities—intentionally put it on just as we put on and take off our literal clothing each day.

In Exodus 29, the focus shifts from the priests’ garments to their duties, introducing us to the sacrificial system. Many modern readers find the descriptions of Israel’s sacrifices unsettling because of the amount and messiness of the blood involved. Since these rituals are not part of our cultural norm, it can be difficult to grasp their integral connection to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

There was nothing more graphic or necessary than the suffering Jesus endured. The cat-o’-nine-tails that tore into His flesh as He offered Himself for us was the brutal reality of the sacrifice required for sin. Every detail of the Old Testament sacrificial system was designed to foreshadow Christ, helping us understand the weight and the need of His atonement.

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:12, 14

We no longer witness the daily sacrifices that took place in Israel because Jesus entered into that system on our behalf—once and for all. As Exodus 29:27 reminds us, the Israelites had to offer sacrifices morning and night, as their sins were never fully erased. But through Christ—when we put our faith in Him, our sin is completely eradicated.

Takeaway: Today, take time to thank God for the position He has given you as His valued and set-apart servant. Praise Him for the sacrifice He made through Jesus so that you could live in the freedom of His grace.