Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

I wonder how some would juxtapose the two following texts?

These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen. "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. Make gold filigree settings and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings. "Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. "For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod. "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.
(Exo 28:4-36)

And then the following text used to ban all "flashy stuff" and "baubles".

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
(1Pe 3:3)

If it's unholy to wear gold, and it always has been, as contended by the hard right, why was the high priest ordered to wear it, along with a whole boatload of other jewelry, into the Holy of Holies?

I got to thinking that Aaron and company would be denied fellowship by many of our good brethren unless we were able to convince them to replace God's traditions for their man made ones.

It makes a man ponder..........

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

Wow, OTW. I'm surprised that you're not aware of the LONG-standing exception to the no-jewelry rule:

IF the jewels are sewn onto or into the clothing, it's acceptable. Example:

http://frecklewonder.typepad.com/cocktail4b.jpg

Since this trend was begun with the high priest and God's commandments, it's obvious that THIS exception is the ONLY exception allowed. (As your lengthy text supports.)

:)


:heeheehee

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

Thanks for the help! I did not see the exception clause in either Peter or Paul's writings, so I guess UPCI tradition will have to suffice.

In fact Peter and Paul apparently teach against the wearing of rubber, plastic, and string "jewelry" also if it is wrapped around the wrist, neck, or finger. At least according to some.

Go figure.

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

If God truly detested all precious metals in contact with humans, why allow his high priest to wear such things in the holiest place ever created? It really does boggle the mind.

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

That is rather odd, considering that we are to take the verse so literally. A literal approach would forbid gold, pearls and expensive clothing. Rubber, plastic and cheap jewelry should be just fine.

Oh, yes...this is where you pull in "Let not your good be evil spoken of." Well, at least they admit that cheap jewelry is good. :D

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

Ah, yes. One of the great "elastic clauses" of scripture. It can be stretched around almost any concept one desires. Or, it can be ignored in other cases. Like when certain very conservative people dress in clothes the value of a small African nations GDP in order to "bring their best" to the Lord, not caring who it might offend because they might be in violation of the "costly array" restrictions.

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

Your making way too much sense On The Wheel.


But the greatest 'elastic clause' as you put it, is still the "Obey them..." catch all to which all other laws, rules, and regulations must bow to. In fact, it IS the rule which allows virtually anything to be added (or taken away) from the Word itself.

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

You are correct. That is the mother of all "elastic clauses". It can be applied to almost anybody's pet doctrine. Of course, the admonition to not be "Lord's over God's heritage" cannot seem to fit over ANYTHING! :happydance

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

Gotta be careful..trying to perfect holiness can be called WORKS baby..works..

Re: Holiness unto the Lord written on Jewelry?
 

The Word admonishes us to perfect holiness, but to do so because we are His, not to become His.

Those who are not interested in perfecting themselves according to true scriptural precepts give me pause. They should be interested in the whole counsel of God in order to live successful Christian lives. After all, Jesus said that if we love him we will show that by keeping his commandments.

Unfortunately, men keep manufacturing new commandments. And because they are man made they are both arbitrary and inconsistent. I try to balance my frustration for those who add to scripture with a love for the actual scripture itself.