Heart and mind

DEVOTION

EXODUS

HEART AND MIND

Ex 28:29-43

29 "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. 30 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. 31 "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 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. 33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 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. 36 "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. 39 "Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. 41 After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 42 "Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.

NIV

Once more we see many things about the garments of Aaron and his sons that have been incorporated into some of the denominations of today. Even those linen undergarments have been used by the Mormon’s to signify something special. But the main idea which stands out here is the items that will cover Aaron’s heart and mind as he entered the tent of meeting to serve the LORD, especially the Holy Place. It has been said that on the one day of atonement when he was to enter the Holies of Holy a rope would be placed around his ankle. This was so if the sound of the bells ceased because he had been stuck dead by God, the other priests could pull him out without going in after him. But the idea is about his heart and mind. Why else would God insist on these specific items of his garment be placed over his heart and his mind? Certainly our heart and mind have to be covered by the blood of Jesus in order for us to be acceptable to the LORD.  This is where the struggle of life sits. We say we have given our heart to Jesus. We accept the washing of our heart by the blood of Jesus, but our mind seems to have a mind of its own, pun intended. Our thoughts usually are what betray us. In general we live pretty much as a believer in Christ, as a Christ follower, a Christian.  Most of our actions and/or behaviors fall in line with our confession of faith. The decision of our heart has changed our way of live in most cases. But the inner self, the workings of our brain, our mind are at constant odds with our heart. Much like the Apostle Paul, the things our heart tells us are the right thing to do, our mind tells us something different. There is a war waging within us. It is our mind the world is after, flooding it with all sorts of temptations. If it can gain control of our mind, then our mind will control our heart. This is why Aarons forehead was to bear the gold seal engraved “HOLY TO THE LORD”. Our mind must also be holy to the Lord. We can think about a whole lot of things and sometimes all at the same time. But again is it possible for a salt water spring to flow with fresh water? How is it, even while in worship at church, or listening to a sermon, that our minds wander to areas other than the LORD? Will we even gain control of our mind? That seal was to be on the forehead of Aaron as he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the people bring, whatever they are. Perhaps there will always be a certain amount of guilt because of our minds, the thoughts of our minds that are not acceptable to God. Yet our mind is also covered with the blood of Jesus. We do not have to live in guilt and shame, but at the same time we should not go about allowing our thoughts to control our heart. But will the war ever end?