What connections exist between Exodus 20:26 and New Testament teachings on modesty? The Original Instruction in Exodus 20:26 “ ‘And do not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’ ” (Exodus 20:26) Principles Embedded in the Command • Protection of modesty—no part of the priest’s body was to be involuntarily displayed. • Reverence—worship was to be conducted in a way that upheld God’s holiness. • Separation from pagan practice—many surrounding cultures worshiped with ritual nudity; Israel was to be different. • Permanence—this command was linked to God’s unchanging character of purity. Bridging to the New Testament • God’s concern for outward modesty never disappears; it is re-emphasized and deepened to include inward motives. • The altar pointed ahead to Christ (Hebrews 13:10). If modesty mattered at the shadow, it surely matters at the fulfillment. Key New Testament Passages on Modesty • “Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds…” (1 Timothy 2:9-10) • “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit…” (1 Peter 3:3-4) • “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…? Therefore glorify God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) • “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) Shared Themes • Covering Nakedness → Honoring the Body: both Testaments present the body as sacred space. • Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: Israel avoided steps; believers avoid attire that distracts or provokes (Romans 14:13). • Heart and Garment Connection: Exodus dealt with clothing; the New Covenant extends to attitudes and intentions. • Distinction from the World: just as Israel was to be set apart from pagan ritual, Christians are called to non-conformity (Romans 12:2). Practical Take-Aways • Dress choices should protect personal and corporate worship from distraction. • Clothing and conduct communicate reverence; choose what magnifies God, not self. • Modesty is not merely a female concern; men, like the priests in Exodus, must guard their own example. • Outward modesty should mirror an inward humility maintained by the Holy Spirit. |
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