Psa 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Ex. 28: 2-6 (highlighted info from these verses)
: 2 make holy garments for "glory and beauty"
: 4 a garment a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and embroidered coat, a miter and a girdle,
: 5 and they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen
: 6 make an ephod of gold, and of blue and of purple and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with conning work.
Gold thread, gold chain, precious stones, engraved stones, bells of gold, pomegranates, hand carved and engraved,
- These garments easily cost thousands of dollars
- They were made for "Glory and beauty".
These garments and the construction of the temple became a source of great national and personal pride. These former slaves threw themselves into giving for the cause, to the point Moses had to restrain them in their enthusiasm and national pride.
Anytime you put on a uniform, there is a certain feeling that goes with the uniform. Can you imagine the pride that must have filled these former slaves as they tried on the garments at the tailors for the first time? How about the family pride, that filled the tents of the ministry the first time they tried it on at home, in front of their wives and children.
The collective swell of emotion that swept through the camp, as piece by piece the tabernacle was constructed, and piece by piece the articles were fashioned by the craftsmen. These craftsmen were moved upon by the spirit of God to design and create each of these articles. These craftsmen were creating the "shadow" of what was to come. I believe "Holy men of old were moved upon by the Holy Ghost". How would they know what a cherubim looked like without divine help? God gave Moses exact measurements, and materials, but much of the details, were missing. Each craftsman need divine inspiration for it to be completed right. Any time man attempts to do the work in the field of salvation, God inspires and enables. I am sure that as each piece was finished, and the stories of the splendor was told and retold, the collective, nationalistic pride of these people blossomed.
On the appointed day of dedication, the priests were all in place. Their garments were spotless, ironed, and perfect. Not a hair was out of place, as they stood proud, the symbol of what God was doing in the earth.
The pride of the nation rested upon these men.
The pride of their families rested upon these men.
And lets be honest, these men were proud that they had been chosen. They were proud for themselves, God, and the people. This was a great day...
They were then anointed for service... somewhere between a quart and a gallon of oil was poured over their heads... "it ran down their beards even to the skirts of their garments." Oil saturated them, from the crown of their heads to the sole of their feet.
Oil stains ruin fine linen,
Oil ruins fancy and perfect hair do's,
It is really hard to have any personal pride when you are covered from head to toe with oil.
God said you are now ready for service in my kingdom.
The greatest qualifying thing in ministry is the anointing of the master. "It is the anointing that breaks the yoke". God designed it so that "no flesh would glory in his presence."
By design he made it so no man could feel exalted.
By design, he created it so no man could feel Superior to another...
“How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments"
Gods recipe for unity was oil
Gods recipe for fellowship was and is oil
Anointing overshadows personalities...
Anointing oil precedes personal agendas...
Grievances cannot live in the presence of the anointing oil...
Who can be proud when they are covered with oil?
Who can feel Superior when covered with oil?
I want to ask you today, "Can you still see the oil stains upon your garments?"
Thank you for reading.
This is a re-post from Aug 2010 I attended a ministers retreat and was reminded again of this post, I thought it worth sharing again.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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