- Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. -
This verse does not seem that important at all does it? In fact, why in the world are we spending a post on just these fourteen words?
Listen, I almost split this into two posts, so no complaining. Sometimes you, yes you mythical reader, sound a whole lot like the Israelites demanding quail in the desert.
Here is the deal, because we do not spend a lot of time reading the Torah besides Genesis and Exodus, we miss a lot of the cultural context that would have been obvious to the Jews.
Let’s start with clothes. I think we actually see some of this in the New Testament when we are told about the new white robes we receive in Heaven.
But, there are ripples of this in Genesis as well. When Adam and Eve realize they are naked, God takes it upon Himself to clothe His children.
What’s the idea? There is a pattern in the bible of receiving garments from the Lord as a symbol of receiving righteousness.
Remember what the priest wears? Sure it’s a bit more complicated than white robes, but that is definitely the core of his dress.
Not only that, this idea is especially tied to the garments being explicitly white. There is no stain or blemish.
Let’s hold onto that thought and move on to the second half of the verse. The speaker here mentions that we are to continually have oil on our head.
When are people anointed in the Bible? It is pretty rare. Typically, we see priests and kings anointed by prophets to signify their office.
What is the purpose of the anointment? It is to separate them, to show them as something holy, or as a chosen vessel for the Lord.
Twice in this same verse we are told to act as we are separate and Holy. Well, that is a good deal! Let’s get to it. Post over.
Except, that’s not the message we are supposed to take, and it is another example in this group of verses that the speaker is not to be trusted.
Think about it. In both the garments and the anointment, they are gifts bestowed on yourself by another, usually by the express order of God.
Can you decide to put upon the white robes of the priest just because you desire them? Can you take the anointment of God’s chosen because you assume it to be your destiny?
Well, then perhaps the speaker is wrong. How can we eat and drink and assume God just simply approves of our actions?
How can we take God’s righteousness just by human ambition?
Did you know that the word Messiah essentially means the anointed one? Jesus was essentially a fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies combined together.
He came as priest, prophet, and king to show God’s will to us all and to free us from the overwhelming crushing defeat of sin.
In this way, he started a new order of priests, destroying the veil in the Temple and allowing His Spirit to fill the lives of all His believers.
He has given righteousness; none are good.
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