The word 'consecrate' here is 'qadash' in Hebrew, which can mean 'to be made clean, to be made holy, to be purified (sanctified), to be set apart, to be prepared for the Lord to use'.
The above was the instruction from the Lord to Moses, as Aaron (his brother) was being prepared for something new those days, that is 'to minister to the Lord as priest'.
The 'holy garments' ('priestly garments' or 'garments of the temple') here speaks of 'God's holiness and righteousness imputed upon you' (Isaiah 61:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Talmud (a collection of Jewish civil and ceremonial laws and traditions) actually has a part that is translated this way: 'While they are clothed in the priestly garments, they are clothed in priesthood; but when they are not wearing the garments, the priesthood is not upon them'. It means no priest (neither the priest nor the high priest himself) is fit to serve in the temple unless he is wearing the holy garments.
Now, how do you relate the 'priestly garments' to a believer in the New Covenant? 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, 'But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy'. See the words 'now' here?
Indeed, you and I are the 'royal priesthood' of today! In other words, you and I are being 'set apart, prepared for the Lord to use' in the specific calling or vocation that God has called each of us to fulfil on this earth!
During a time of worship and prayer recently, I heard and released these words:
"Consecrate your walk with Me again. Train up your walk with Me again, like Enoch walked with Me. For this is the time I am preparing you for the many new things in the days ahead."
From the prophetic words above, 'to consecrate' can also be defined as 'to dedicate yourself for God to begin working (in you and through you)'.
Indeed, He is preparing to do many new things in you (and through you) in the days ahead! New creativity and ideas are being released to God's people like never before! New ways of doing things are also being released like you have never imagined before! Indeed, He is a God who always does new things! And He is not done with it yet! In fact, scientists have acknowledged that new stars and new galaxies are still being created even now in the physical realm! (Source: Institute for Creation Research)
People of God, watch how He is going to do new things for you as well! It is therefore a high time for you to refresh and renew your walk with Him again, whatever your calling or vocation may be on this earth!
By the way, 'walking with God' means 'walking alongside Him, traveling with Him (hand in hand), and following Him continually'.
In Genesis 5:24, the Bible says, '... Enoch walked
with God; and he was not, for God took him'. Very interestingly, this name 'Enoch' ('khanoke' in Hebrew) means 'dedicated', from the word 'khawnak', which can mean 'to dedicate, to consecrate, to train up (i.e. to prepare for something)'. As you can see here, Enoch was a good example of someone who had dedicated himself to walk with God all through his life on earth (until the day God 'took him up'). In short, his walk was a dedicated walk.
Hebrews 11:5 says, 'By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him" ; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God'.
The word 'pleased God' here has been misunderstood by many. It is 'euarestos' in Greek, which actually means 'to be fully agreeable with God (and His ways)'. Indeed, His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). As you can see here, the writer of Hebrews 11:5 meant 'Enoch was fully agreeable with God (and His ways)'. This, my friend, is the essence of a genuine and fulfilling walk with God.
The word 'pleased God' here has been misunderstood by many. It is 'euarestos' in Greek, which actually means 'to be fully agreeable with God (and His ways)'. Indeed, His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). As you can see here, the writer of Hebrews 11:5 meant 'Enoch was fully agreeable with God (and His ways)'. This, my friend, is the essence of a genuine and fulfilling walk with God.
'Enoch' here is also a 'typology' of 'God's people (you and I) awaiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). We are the 'bride', and He is the 'bridegroom' (Revelation 21:9-11, Revelation 22:16-17). And as we await for that glorious day of His coming, let us all also 'continue to walk with Him' (Galatians 5:16-18) and 'keep (wearing) His (holy and righteous) garments' (Revelation 16:15), bringing glory to God till the very end. Amen!
