“God says. . .or the Bible says. . .”
Do you ever notice how easily we do that? Speak for God, I mean.
We are so quick to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, fallen man and risen Christ, sinful human race and holy God.
We get a Bible verse or two under our belts and look out: “Well, the Bible says. . .”
Leviticus 16:3-4 ESV But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. (4) He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.
It was recently pointed out to me by our pastor that Aaron came into the Holy Place in plain clothing, not the ornate robes, turbans, etc., not in clothing that would speak anything of authority.
He came in plain clothes and bowed before a holy God.
I don’t think it is saying too much to suggest that when we speak for God that we are moving into holy ground, that we should be in our linen garments (figuratively), that nothing about our demeanor speaks authority other than God’s.
Bowed servants before God wisely choosing our words as we represent our Savior and Creator.
That seems to be such a better tack than our prideful, pugnacious- “God says, the Bible says” when all we are really doing is pushing a human thought around with powerful God words.
