Why God is so 'fussy' about details

Description: God's ‘fussiness’ for details is clear from worship practices in Old Testament times, but how should we reflect this in our lives today?

Introduction

God's fussiness for details shows up throughout the Bible. Probably, passion for details is more authentic. Whereas many parts of the Old Testament are filled with dramatic narratives, others are densely packed with meticulous instructions that seem less than thrilling, at least on the surface. Yet, these details are not there by accident. They reveal a profound truth about God’s nature, and even more importantly, they have practical relevance for Christians today.

The Book of Exodus: a closer look at detail

In the Book of Exodus, we see extensive passages where God outlines intricate guidelines for the construction of the tabernacle, the priests’ garments, and various religious rituals. These instructions can seem far removed from our modern lives. After all, they were given to a newly liberated people navigating the desert, heading towards the Promised Land. But as Christians, what can we learn from these detailed commands today? Why would God, the Creator of the cosmos, concern himself with the measurements of a tent or the specific design of a priest’s robe? Was he simply being over-fussy?

Why such detail matters

The starting point is to recognise that God’s attention to detail reflects his character. The very fact he is concerned with every aspect of worship and life – right down to the thread in a garment – tells us something important: God is deeply interested in details. His specific instructions are not arbitrary. They symbolise how holiness is woven into every facet of life, from the grand gestures of worship to the smallest, seemingly insignificant acts. And if God cared about these details then, he certainly still cares about them now. His unchanging nature testifies that this concern for the specifics of how we live and worship hasn’t diminished.

Christ: the embodiment of God’s perfection

Jesus exemplified God’s perfection. While Old Testament priests were recognisable by their outward garments, Jesus stood out, not because of physical clothing, but because of his character. He was clothed in compassion, humility, and righteousness, demonstrating a lifestyle that fully reflected his Father’s will. His life was a living testament to what it means to follow God’s instructions down to the finest detail. Jesus' actions and character were his clothing, and in this, he showed us how to live with God’s principles as the fabric of our lives.

We are called to follow his example. It should be our spiritual garments that make us recognisable in the world today, not physical clothing. In this, Colossians 3:12-14 encourages us to clothe ourselves with the virtues Jesus lived by (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience). Similarly, in 1 Timothy 6:11, Paul urges believers to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Embodying God's detailed love in our lives now

We’re not required to build a tabernacle, but are called to be living temples (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God's attention to detail now manifests in how we live our lives in Christ. Every moment, every decision, and every action we take reflects the same principle of meticulous obedience. Since God still cares about the details, our daily challenge is to strive to embody his love and grace in everything we do.

For some Christians, it can be tempting to overlook the small things in favour of the bigger picture, (e.g. serving in church, publicly reading the Bible, or joining Christian study groups). Yet being in Christ means engaging with the day-to-day, ordinary moments in life, i.e. paying attention to the small things: from the way we speak to how we handle difficult situations; in the way we treat others, the intentions of our hearts, or the actions we take in the mundane aspects of life. In all such things, we are called to demonstrate that we are in Christ, where no detail is insignificant. Just as God paid attention to details in the Old Testament and guided the Israelites with precision, he now guides us in how to live every part of our lives in a way that honours his holiness. Nothing is overlooked.

Conclusion: bringing the ancient into today

In a fast-paced world, where details are often neglected in favour of speed or convenience, God’s attention to detail invites us to slow down and consider how we live each moment. The lessons from Exodus, when viewed through the lens of Christ, challenge us to embody godly character in every aspect of life, even the ones that might seem minor. As we clothe ourselves in the virtues Jesus displayed, we become recognisable as God’s people, not through external symbols, but by reflecting his love, patience, and kindness in everything we do.