Exodus 28:39–43 (ESV)

“You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework.

“For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.”

In addition to the ephod and breastpiece and robe and turban and crown, the priest must have regular clothes on, particularly pants. The New King James says “trousers” instead of “undergarments” here.

In such a hot climate, wearing something that close to your skin can be uncomfortable. Loose clothing with lots of air circulation underneath is coolest. Notice that this style of dress is assumed in the earlier prohibition against nakedness when approaching holiness.

And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it. — Exodus 20:26 (ESV)

Obviously, “your nakedness” is not referring to bare arms here. The body part that might be exposed when climbing stairs is the one that’s sometimes shown covered by a fig leaf.

Once again, God’s preference here is the sole justification for this rule. Lack of modesty is a capital offense when approaching the LORD. That seems harsh, but, again, God makes the rules.

Besides, this is about how to approach and serve Him, not everyday living. When you’re in the middle of trying to please someone, their preferences should be important.

When you buy someone a birthday present, whose desires do you consider—yours or theirs?

Worship is one of the most important functions of a church. We participate on the Sabbath, but how much to you pray about it otherwise?

Lift up your worship team. They make every effort to glorify God by leading worship the way He prescribes it. Ask the LORD to guide them and encourage them.

Pray specifically for your pastors and their sermon prep. Do you ever chat with them about what they’re preparing? You should. If you know their struggles, you’re better prepared to pray for them.

The same holds for the music team. Find out what their challenges are and send up informed prayers.

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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays' by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.