THEOSISJerome of Stridon
When the priests enter through the gateway of the inner court, they are required to don linen garments, ensuring that no woolen material is present while they serve at the inner court gate and within the temple itself. Linen head coverings must adorn their heads, with additional linen garments covering their loins, and they are not to tightly gird themselves, preventing any heaviness in their attire. Upon exiting to the outer court where the people are gathered, they need to remove these garments worn during service, storing them in the sacred treasuries, and replace them with different clothing to avoid unintentionally communicating holiness to the uninitiated.
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They are prohibited from shaving their heads or allowing their hair to grow long, but should maintain neatness through regular trimming. It is also mandated that priests abstain from wine upon entering the inner court.
The divine instruction to the priests at the inner court gates emphasizes their need for linen vestments, as wool is not permitted. This is reinforced by translations indicating such garments must allow for ease of movement in their sacred duties. The Lord’s command reflects a requirement for decorum that ensures they can perform their sacrificial roles effectively without hindrance. Thus, when transitioning from the sacred to the common, their attire shifts, ensuring they do not impart sanctification to those unprepared for it. This practice teaches us that we must approach the holiness of God in purity, eschewing the common and profane.
The directives regarding hair present similarly important guidelines. The priests must avoid the entirely shaved heads seen among practitioners of foreign gods while steering clear of unkempt hairstyles that signal luxury. Instead, they ought to keep their appearance modest, which can indicate their separation from pagan practices and their commitment to divine service. The distinctions made here also echo the importance of spiritual propriety, as the holy garments symbolize a deeper, spiritual purity, which the Apostle Paul articulates when he urges believers to put on Christ.
These instructions signify a greater truth regarding spiritual attire: the garments of the heart and spirit. The Apostle reinforces this by encouraging believers to embody virtues such as compassion, humility, and patience while shedding their old selves in favor of the renewed identity formed in Christ.
The priestly garments, as described in Exodus, symbolize a divine calling that requires diligent preparation. Just as the Lord's own clothing was seamless as He underwent His passion, we too are invited to wear Christ as our spiritual garment, for He equips us to comprehend divine mysteries.
The text also reminds us of the significance of sobriety in spiritual matters. The priests abstaining from wine illustrates a broader principle that encourages clarity of thought and purity of conduct when approaching the holiness of God. The Apostle likewise instructs believers to remain vigilant against influences that could dull their senses or distract them from their divine purpose.
In summary, these sacred instructions emphasize the necessity of preparation, both outwardly with the appropriate garments and inwardly through spiritual readiness, ensuring a faithful approach to the divine service entrusted to the priests and to all believers. Such attentiveness to holiness in our hearts leads us to honor God through our actions, reflecting the glory of the one who calls us to righteousness.