Some of you may have seen me on television last week. I was asked to give a comment concerning the state of Washington issuing monies to help encourage preventative-care in medicine. More on that subject sometime in the future. I was a bit surprised when the cameraman/reporter asked me if I was really going to wear the sportcoat and tie I was donning that day while seeing patients.

Of course I was, I responded. I believe that how you dress means alot, not only in your own presentation but how you are received, as well. Apparently, most people now days disagree. Just go to the store or even a restaurant and watch how many people are still dressed in their pajamas.

I go to a church where they almost boastfully refuse to dress up. It bothers me very little because I recognize that this is a non-essential matter when it comes to holy things. But when I read how God expected the priests to dress as they served Him in the tabernacle, I can’t help but feel that maybe God knows something more about man than we do.

Isaiah 55:8-9 Tells us that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In Exodus 28:2 He clearly tells Aaron that he is not to wear pajama bottoms to serve the LORD. Although I am sure different clothes would have seemed more convenient, Aaron and his sons weren’t given a choice.

One Biblical commentator (whom I respect very much) states that the purpose of this was two-fold. One purpose was to remind the priest of the dignity of his office. Another reason was to remind the people of the Holy reverence they should have for the God the priest was serving. Interesting. Is this why the clergy used to (and still do in some denominations) wear robes?

How many of us would invest our monies with someone who is dressed like a bum? We would probably go instead to someone who looks smart and dresses as if they were successful, even if they are not.

I have earned my degree in medicine and I believe that most of my patients appreciate my efforts to look the part of a professional. I refuse to go to work looking like I am still the farmworker I used to be. Sorry camera-man.