What I Noticed Today (Exodus 28-29)
Exodus 28
In chapter 28, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the priest’s garments and the priest’s consecration to serve God. The purpose of the priesthood is to serve God (28:1). God equips the priests for their service with the garments and sets them apart by consecrating them.
- God instructs Moses to call together Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer, and Ithamar to serve God as priests.
- God instructs Moses to have their priestly garments (a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a tunic, a turban, and a sash) made by skilled craftsmen.
- The garments were to be made out of gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and fine linen.
- The ephod was made of linen with a front and back attached over the shoulders by two straps. The shoulder straps were mounted with onyx stones bearing the names of the tribes. It was held together at the waist by a belt.
- The breastpiece was made of linen 9 inches wide with four rows of three precious stones each. Each of the stones was engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes. It was attached over the ephod with four gold chains and tied to the waist with a blue cord to the waistband of the ephod.
- Urim and Thummim were to be carried inside the breastpiece and used for making a decision before the Lord.
Note: The meaning of Urim and Thummim is obscure, but scholars believe Urim means “light,” and Thummim means “perfection.” Where they were to be acquired or how they worked is unknown.
- The robe worn under the ephod was to be made of blue yarn. It was to be sleeveless and hang below the knees.
- Pomegranates made of yarn and gold bells were attached to the hem all the way around the robe.
- The robe is to be worn whenever Aaron ministers before the Lord. Ignoring these instructions would result in death.
- A medallion of pure gold was to be made and engraved with “Holy to the Lord.” The medallion was to be fastened to the front of the turban over Aaron’s forehead. It allowed Aaron to bear the guilt for the offerings placed before the Lord.
- The tunic and turban were to be made of fine linen. An embroidered sash was to be made.
- Once all these garments were made, they were to be worn by Aaron and his sons. Aaron and his sons were to be anointed, ordained, and consecrated so they can serve the Lord as priests.
- Linen undergarments were also to be made covering from the waist to the thighs and must be worn whenever they minister before the Lord.
Note: The priests were anointed, ordained, and consecrated. The anointing was of oil. The ordination was complete with the priest’s clothing. The consecration came from the blood sacrifice of a bull and two rams. Only then were they ready to serve God (28:41).
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- As believers, we are priests, set apart, and consecrated to serve God and do His work. To do that, we need to be attentive to God’s Word, to faithfully do the work He has called us to, and be careful in our walk as we serve Him!
Exodus 29
In chapter 29, God gives instructions to Moses for the consecration of the priests who are to serve the Lord. (These instructions are repeated in Leviticus 8.)
In verses 1-37, God gives specific instructions for the consecration of the priests:
- Bring a bull and two unblemished rams along with unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers made with oil to the courtyard of the tabernacle.
- Wash Aaron and his sons in front of the tent of meeting. Dress Aaron in his high priestly garments, and the sons in their priestly garments.
- Anoint Aaron’s head with oil.
- Bring the bull and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the bull and sacrifice it.
- Take some of the blood and place it on the horns of the altar, and pour out the rest.
- Take the fat around entrails, the liver, and the kidneys and burn them on the altar.
- Burn the bull’s flesh, hide, and dung outside the tabernacle courtyard as a sin offering.
- Bring a ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on it and sacrifice it.
- Sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.
- Wash the entrails of the ram and place the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering to the Lord.
- Bring the second ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on it and sacrifice it.
- Put some of the blood on their right ear, right thumbs, and right big toes.
- Sprinkle the rest of the blood on the sides of the altar.
- Take some of the blood from the altar and mix it with oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his son’ s garment, and this will make the garments holy.
- Take the fat from the ram along with the liver and kidneys and the right thigh, and one loaf of bread, one cake, and one wafer and put them in their hands and have them wave them before the Lord. Then place them on the altar as a burnt offering.
- The breast of the ram and the thigh are to be waved before the Lord as a presentation to the Lord and then given to Aaron and his sons as their portion.
- The Holy garments that Aaron wears are to be worn by his sons after him. They are to be anointed and ordained in them.
- Take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. Then Aaron and his sons are to eat the flesh and the bread before the tent of meeting. An unauthorized person must not eat them because they are holy. Anything leftover in the morning must be burned because it is holy.
- Sacrifice a bull every day for seven days as a sin offering for atonement. Purify the altar when you make atonement and anoint it to consecrate it. In this way, the altar will become holy, and anything that touches it will be holy.
Note: It is interesting that during the consecration, blood from the sacrificed animal was placed on the priest’s ear, the thumb of their right hand, and the big toe of the right foot (29:20). Perhaps this signifies their need to be attentive to hearing God’s Word, to do God’s work, and to walk carefully in their service to Him.
In verses 38-46, God gives Moses instructions for the daily offerings:
- Two lambs are to be offered every day: one in the morning and one at twilight. Each should be offered with the grain (flour), crushed olives, and wine.
- This is to be a regular burnt offering to the Lord throughout the generations.
- I (God) will meet with you at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and I will consecrate that place. I will consecrate the tent of meetings. And I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.
- I will dwell among the Israelites. I will be their God, and they will know that I am Yahweh their God who brought them out of Egypt.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
