I mentioned the other day that we are studying materials that Glenn Pemberton prepared on the book of Leviticus. I’m thoroughly enjoying the study.
Last Sunday we were looking at the Day of Atonement in our class. Dr. Pemberton pointed out something that I had never thought of. On the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest was preparing to enter the Holy of Holies, he did something pretty interesting. He took off the prestigious clothing that he normally wore and put on linen garments. Let me quote from the teacher’s notes:
Q. What strikes you about the clothes Aaron must wear when he enters God’s presence?
A. These are not the ornate vestments that he normally wears (Exod 28; Lev 8) rather these are the clothes of a common servant. Only after Aaron has finished his work in the most holy place is he permitted to put the ornate clothes back on (Lev 16:23-24).
Q. Do you see any significance in this changing of clothes?
A. Yes. A person does not enter the presence of God dressed up like someone important, but in humility – dressed as a servant.
Special Note to the Teacher: In the not too distant past, some argued – based on the fine clothing of the priests – that Christians should always wear their finest clothing to worship God. Oddly, these instructions for the Day of Atonement suggest exactly the opposite: When a person enters the presence of God he should be dressed in the clothing of a servant (i.e., with humility), not expensive clothes (cf. I Tim 2:9-10).
I’d never thought of this. What about you? Do you agree with the conclusions?
Image from www.biblepicturegallery.com
I’ve told you before that my thoughts on this subject have changed dramatically in the past few years. I agree that God deserves our best but I don’t think “our best” has anything to do with designer labels and fancy handbags.
Well, I have believed for sometime that in keeping with missional principles of being incarnational, we ought not to be putting on our dressiest clothing but instead ought to walk into a coffe-house, diner, super-market, etc… on Sunday and see how the culture is dressing and then dress like that. That way we are not sending out a message that to become a part of our community you must stop being you and instead become (conform) like us.
Grace and peace,
Rex
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Didn’t one of the Campbells (Thomas or Alexander) have a quote that about the contrast between the style of church houses in the UK and the US was inversely related to the way worshipers dressed for Sunday meetings? Something like: In England the churches are grand, ornate and rich in style and architecture, but the worshipers come dressed in common clothes. In the US, churches (especially in the “frontier”) were plain and simple, even many being “log cabin” construction, but the worshipers come dressed in their finest clothes. Does anyone know the exact quote and where I can find it to cite source?
I guess we would really have to look at the role of servant: Yes, they wore “common clothes”, but they were also some of the closest/best confidant of the employer/master. They would lay down their lives for their master by being food tasters, etc. Their master would then, treat them, not as a commoner, but as a trusted friend and even part of the family. We sometimes see the role of “servant” as ONLY one of servitude and a better understanding would be that they were MORE than a servant, they were a first line of defense if necessary.
I believe that our clothing should be a reflection more concerning what we look like on the inside, i.e. putting on Jesus Christ, as opposed to that which is on the outside. There are many people who may look good on the outside (like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day), but who may not look so good on the inside. I have experienced people being “turned off” to Christ because of the clothing they wear or the length of their hair…such misses the point concerning what Christianity is all about — love. It would seem that James 2:1ff has to come in to the discussion in some ways and in some places… Blessings, Don
I thought I left a post here already! Oh well. I think that’s a very interesting point, one I’ve always missed. I have commented on your previous posts about my views on how to dress for worship services, so I guess I won’t say much more now. I have changed a lot over the last few years, and I tend now to shy away from dressing up a whole lot. I still enjoy getting out my skirts & dresses because that’s the only time I wear them … at least until I get a “real” job. LOL. But I am also comfortable in jeans & sweater on the cold wintry days that I don’t want bare legs!
I wonder if it displeases God how much focus we have put on “dressing up” for church services all this time!
I’m not sure that the alternative to the Sunday suit for fellows should be a polo shirt, khakis – and golf shoes.
Why should we give our best to our employers and dress sloppily for our Master? Yes, it has to do with the heart – thus we cannot judge what others wear, only why we do what we do. I grew up always dressing “up” for Sunday morning service, but always still wore dresses or skirt/blouse. Because children did not have lots of clothes, as many do today, we had school clothes, play clothes and Sunday best clothes. If we dress “up” for funerals, then why do we not dress “up” for the most important “funeral” of all, that of Christ’s, when we come together to recognize that along with his resurrection – which gives us our hope? If we dress “up” for weddings, why not for the Groom who counts us as His bride? If the nicest clothes we have are clean jeans or khakis, then that is our “best,” and God is the only one who can judge our heart.
In response to Rex, are you saying I should try to look like someone else rather than be myself? Some of the clothes worn in the places mentioned would definitely not be appropriate for worship – modesty in particular. If we want the community to know us, yes- we do need to get out into the marketplace – but we are not to be conformed to the world, and I believe that includes the type of clothing we wear – modest even for men as well as women. Am I correct in remembering that the “tunic” that Jesus wore was so good that they gambled for it? We have so many more choices of clothing today than was worn in Jesus’ day, but all is from God and I need to be mindful that not everyone has been as blessed as I have been. In our congregation, we have many indigent people attending, who are not dressed in finery, but they get my greeting and hug, and I love them because of Jesus.
While it can never be proved either way, based on the rest of Jesus’ life, I have assumed that His garment the soldier’s gambled for was given to Him and He wore it out of respect for the donor.
My sense is to dress humbly, whatever that means to you. I tend to have (sometimes) a first impression of distrust of someone who is wearing a suit. He is dressed up, so he must want something from me.
I really don’t think God cares how we dress. We must dress modestly, of course. In NT times I’m guessing modesty had more to do with cost than coverage.
I guess the title I put on this post distracted from the content. Isn’t interesting how everyone seems to be debating based on their views, while no one is referencing Leviticus?
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim – I’ve never noticed or given thought to the dressing in humility. The concept is new. Thanks for the post.
That being said, since everyone else kind of got off context, I will too. :) I looked up a few weeks ago and the guys waiting on the table had everything on from a suit, to kaki’s, to Levis and a t-shirt. I liked the variety. The only things I’m a little uncomfortable with is … and I dare say in public … some of the styles are a little revealing. I just soon NOT see any woman’s cleavage or boobs other than my wife’s. Just make sure it’s modest. ‘Nuff said, I’ll stop right there. :)
The verses in Leviticus you pointed out are very interesting. I had never thought about them in reference to how we should dress for worship services; they are definitely food for thought. How does one dress as a servant in our culture? Doesn’t dressing as a servant, in humility, refer more to our heart? The way we dress definitely reflects how we think of ourselves. Do we think of ourselves as we ought to think? Don’t most people have wardrobes determined mostly by what their jobs / professions require? If a man has more suits than jeans (perhaps NO jeans) should he buy jeans to wear to worship? Isn’t he being a servant by working to support his family? If he doesn’t own a suit, should he buy one just to wear on Sunday? Would one suit be enough? If not, how many should he own? What if he cannot afford a suit? I heard a non-suit-owning (because he didn’t need one in his job and could not afford a suit) brother say that he did not feel comfortable (at a certain congregation) because he was the only one who did not wear a suit. Should anyone ever feel uncomfortable at a congregation of the Lord’s body because he does not own a suit? I’ve heard people criticized because they didn’t dress up enough and others criticized because they were too dressed up (even that one woman’s earrings were too large). What is our purpose of “attending worship service / assembling with the saints?” Why are we so concerned with what people wear? Dressing in humility would probably help us all achieve what our purpose SHOULD be. NO, not “dressing” in humility. That smacks of something that is put on and taken off. BEING HUMBLE would help us achieve what our purpose should be. I am reminded of having the attitude of Christ who gave up His divine nature to take on the nature of a servant…. Sorry this is so long! :)
How would we feel if a fellow leading our thoughts at the communion table began by suddenly took off his suit jacket and tie and shirt, rolled up his sleeves, wrapped a towel around his waist, and started washing the feet of the people in the first row?
Tim,
Would you please let me know what you think of my post here which concerns this issue:
http://modestupheaval.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-02-04T13%3A28%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=5
Thanks,
Guy
Getting back to Leviticus, Aaron was commanded to change his garments when entering the Most Holy Place. We have no such commands in the New Testament as to what we should wear to offer our worship to God, only that clothing be modest and decent. Thus each worshipper has the responsibility to accord to God the reverence due Him, just as the high prist did in his time.
Yes, we do. We should be wearing Christ – we’re commanded to “put on” the new humanity. Wearing Christ is more beautiful, and brings more honor to our Lord, than any suit or tux or dress or gown ever made. Consider the ravens….
When we talk about “Sunday best”, how we define “best” is totally shaped by the fallen culture around us. Best for what? Best for impressing other people with our worth and importance. Whether that is the reason a particular person dresses in a suit or a dress is irrelevant – suits and dresses are the culturally-driven outward signs of importance.
We would do much better to wear what God defines as “best” and leave the rest for our fallen employers. We would best honor our Christ by wearing HIM, not by wearing what Vanity Fair says is best.
Tim,
Sorry–that link i gave you was wrong. Please take a look here:
http://modestupheaval.blogspot.com/2008/11/clothing-and-worship.html
i’ve made some semi-unpopular conclusions over the years and would respect your opinion about the matter.
Thanks,
Guy
OK, Guy, I can see a better connection with that post. Very good thoughts. Personally I advocate clean and presentable, rather than fancy.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
It is interesting that in 1 Tim. 2:9 “modest” has become a proof text on skirt length and cleavage, when That wasn’t the original meaning. I know of no translation that translates it “economically” or “cheaply.” and I know few preachers that would preach it. I have been told that during the 20’s and 30’s that there was some debate as to whether or not women could wear anything fancier than a simple cotton dress. I haven’t seen anything current in my life time, but I am glad it dress here has gotten some discussion again. Maybe we’ve been hoping that we would get judged by our covers.