Sunday 3rd September
Read Numbers 15:37-41
“The Lord said to Moses, 38 ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.”’ (NIVUK)
A single blue thread. Small enough for even the poorest to incorporate into the hem. Significant enough to remind the people that they are indeed a royal priesthood. For blue dye was the sign of both royalty and holiness. A permanent marker on their persons of the promises made to God at Sinai (v41).
What does a blue thread through a tassel on the hem of a cloak look like today? What should we be remembering each day when we dress? The closest approximation is likely our baptism – the marker that shifted us from darkness to light. The marker that signifies the washing away of sin and the setting apart for holiness – an allegiance to Jesus that is public and irrefutable. I know I don’t think on my baptism each morning. But I suppose it is never too late.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good…9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:1-3, 9) (NIVUK)
