There is the linen garment. Is there any significance? Does it apply today?
The “outside the camp“. This is discussed in “All, all of it“: there is the distance and the journey to the camp. There is this special place, designated clean.
On first reading, the linen garment suggests either a special garment for the role (priest) or the task (offering carried out by priest). There is implication that the priest puts on the garment when they are about to carry out the task. When the task is completed at the altar, the next task is to take the ashes out to the designated place away from camp. To do this, the priest is required to remove that linen garment before leaving the altar with the ashes.
L O O K
If anything, the linen garment will cause onlookers to “look” at the priest, more than usual.
Linen garment that’s not worn or used except for the task of offering at the altar: it is probably very clean. Well, in any case, it probably conveys “rich”!
The garment is in great contrast to any other visible garment the priest is wearing, his own skin, the altar and the environment. But that may not be so since the text says the task involves handling ashes. There is perhaps some “irony” here that linen is the uniform for the butcher, not the one at the front of shop, but at the back working on the animal.
There is perhaps no deeper meaning to the linen garment, than that it speaks of utmost dedication, sincerity, and turning of hearts from sin, which is something done, and can only be done, at the sight of God. In other words, forgiveness is not sought elsewhere, but God.
Today, with salvation for us made possible by Jesus, we are not required to wear linen, or best, garment for worship, or leading worship. We might choose to do so, and that’s a reflection of our choice, rather than requirement. For those who have designated garments that reflect their liturgical or ecclesiastical offices and roles, their requirement is different from what we discuss here. It might only be very few, if any, of them who would want to “cling on” to their garment in desperate times.
Well, it’s not that we must not, or should not, “look” at the worship leader or anyone else during worship.
Our spiritual garment is the God-given duty to serve him; for worship leaders and those undertaking music discipleship, our duty is in the area of worship.
We would see God in those who lead worship; what they wear will have some elements that draw our attention. We are human, we can be drawn to this kind of thing. Similarly, our behavour, and our music behaviour, the manner we play or sing, also attracts attention of the congregation. We ought to pay some attention to these. But this is not to the extent of studious examination of shape and colours, and 360 feedback from ten different people in the congregation about suitability of the manner of music and/or the nature of our attire.
As the priest removes the linen garment, he is only halfway in his task.
As we move away from our microphones and music positions, back to our seats, or even away from church building at the end of the fellowship, our spiritual calling remains the same. Whether the congregation still sees us in person or not, our duty in music and worship which is privilege, burden, offering and witness, will sustain through other ways and means. In relationships, Bible studies, work place, family, shopping, leisure and hobbies, driving and commuting, pub, music and worship practice, etc. the essence of our duty as worship leaders will bear wider meanings to us, but also to others.
Our spiritual garment will draw attention to us, what we do and say, and the rest of our behaviour will convey our sense of duty as worship leaders. Leviticus 6:10-11 did not forbid nor encourage people to “look” at the priest with the linen garment (or just the expensive and fine linen garment). We are “inistruments” for God. We lead our congregation in the act of corporate worship. What we should all see together is the God we worship.
