Why all the details?

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by

Amy
in

Scripture: Exodus 28-29

I’m taking a break from the regular SOAP format this morning because I have a question: Why did God set aside so many elaborate details for Aaron, his clothes, offerings and the like? There must be a good reason because it is in the Bible and a lot of space is dedicated to it.

Part of today’s reading (The other part was Acts 7.) gives a very detailed outline as to what clothes should be made for the priests and exactly how the offerings should be made, right down to blood being placed on right thumbs and big toes.

There are a lot of details outlined in the Old Testament about many things which I don’t observe today. I understand that Jesus changed things drastically, but I still don’t understand why all these details were required to follow God initially.

God wants us to read and understand them or else they would not be a part of the Bible, yet I cannot understand why he set them forth in the first pace.

I’m a pretty detail-oriented person. So I can appreciate how he explained everything thoroughly so there would be no confusion. But why all the elaborate ritual? Is that what people at the time needed to get their attention? And how was it decided which of these details didn’t have to continue after Jesus’ resurrection? I understand that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, but what about all the robes and turbans and stones? Are these still requested by our God and we just ignore it?

I hope you don’t mind my honest questions here. I am puzzled and thought that today I would pray for understanding of these types of passages.

Prayer: Lord, all the words of the Bible are God-breathed. You tell us that. And, consequently, all have incredible value. You put them there for us to learn and grow.

Show me Lord, what I am to learn from passages such as Exodus 28-29, which outline in great detail the ritual you set forth in pleasing you. Give me the understanding you want me to have so I can further embrace your Word. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer and enlightening me.

momflower

Comments

One response to “Why all the details?”

  1. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    okay I will take a stab at this, I have no idea if this is correct though!! But we are currently in Exodus at my church bible study so when we get to these chapters I may have revises this LOL..

    In the OT, the priests were the only ones who could enter into God’s presence. The details were there so that the temple and priests were presentable enough to be in God’s holy presence. But when Jesus become the final High Priest he also became the bridge for all of us to enter into God’s presense. Jesus provides all those details and preparations for us.

    There are other things possible:
    -the clothing is to set the priests apart from all others
    -the details of the offerings set them apart from any other pagan rituals

    I do not believe that we are to follow the OT law. We are too sinful to be able to follow every single detail of every single law. And besides that the law was given to the Israelites, not us. There are better verses to prove this but here is a start…

    Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

    I don’t know if that helped or made you have more questions!!

    Reply

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