God calls the Aaronic line to be his priests, and gives highly decorative specifications for their priestly garb so that they can maintain “dignity and beauty”. The sons of Aaron are still priests to this day – and a genetic survey of them showed they carry the genetic marker of a single male ancestor, different to other Jewish people.

It strikes me how intense all these specifications are: how the breast and thigh of sacrificed animals is always reserved for God and his priest, how priests are to put sacrificial bloody on their right ears, thumbs and toes. It seems strange here and now, but no more so in context than the way I am quite specific in the way I like my cup of tea made in a special way, and how I like different cups for different occasions, and how I only drink it once it has reached an exact temperature.

Dear God, thank you for showing us your taste, and your splendour. Thank you that these days we can come straight to you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who was the ulimate, perfect sacrifice for all our sins. In his name I pray to you, and thank you, Amen.