DBG - January 29 - Exodus 28-29

In this chapter we see the directions for making the garments the priest would wear.

vs. 1-5 – The High Priest wore special garments that set him apart from all other priests.  The individual pieces are described as the chapter unfolds.

vs. 6-14 – The ephod is like an apron with shoulder pieces.  It was woven linen with gold wire and blue, purple, and scarlet colored thread.  Two onyx stones with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them were set in gold and placed on the shoulders.  To these the golden chains were attached to support the breastplate.

vs. 15-29 – The cloth backing of the breastplate was made of the same material as the ephod.  Upon it were set twelve gemstones in four rows of three.  Each stone was engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

vs. 30 – Urim and Thummim, which means “light and perfection” were placed in a pouch behind the breastplate.  There is much debate about exactly what these were and how they worked.  It is my opinion that these were two stones that would be drawn at random through which God communicated “yes or no” answers.

vs. 31-35 – The High Priest’s robe was blue with sewn edges so it would not fray.  The bottom was lined with alternating golden bells and “pomegranates” (balls that struck the bells).

vs. 36-39 – The High Priest wore a golden plate on his forehead that read “Holiness to the Lord”.  All priests wore what is identified as either a mitre or a turban.  The High Priest is believed to have had a special design to his.

vs. 40-43 – Here is described the general attire of a priest: robe, sash, turban, pants.  The pants were for modesty as they served.

In this chapter we see the directions for the  consecration of the priesthood, which takes place in Numbers 8.

vs. 1-3 – The required sacrifices for the dedication of the priests were one young bull, two rams, with unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers.

vs. 4 – The first action taken is the ceremonial washing of the priests, a symbol of their cleansing necessary to approach God.

vs. 5-9 – Aaron and the priests were to put on the garments that chapter 28 directed to be made.

vs. 10-14 – The first offering is a sin offering for the priests.  The priests place their hands on the animal, identifying them with the sacrifice.  The bull is killed and its the blood is placed on the four corners of the altar and the rest pour out at its base.  Portions of the sacrifice were burned on the altar but most of it is burned outside of the camp.  This was to cover the sins of the priests to allow them to serve as holy before the Lord.

vs. 15-18 – The first rams is offered as a burnt offering.  The priests lay their hands on it as they did with the bull.  The blood of the ram is sprinkled around the altar, and the pieces of the ram are laid on the altar and burned.  This is not a sin offering but a “sweet savour” offering that shows God’s pleasure in accepting the service of the priests.

vs. 19-28 – The second ram is offered as a peace offering.  The priests place their hands on the animal, identifying themselves with it.  Part of the blood of the slain ram is placed on the priests on their right ears, thumbs, and big toes.  The remaining blood is sprinkled around the altar and some sprinkled with the anointing oil on the priests, consecrated the priests to the service of God.  Portions of the ram with a loaf, cake, and wafer are lifted by the priests as a heave offering, dedicating these to the Lord, before they are burned on the altar.  This is another “sweet savour” offering.  Other portions of the sacrifice, namely the breast and shoulder, are offered as heave offerings to the Lord, dedication them to Him.  These final portions are kept for the priests and eaten by them, a peace offering.

vs. 29-30 – Special attention is paid to the priestly garments here.  The garments are consecrated just as the priests were, sanctified to the service of the Lord.  New High Priests were to were the High Priest garments for seven day to signify to the nation that they were assuming the role.  We see in vs. 35 that the rituals continued for this length of time.

vs. 31-34 – The portion of the second ram that was given to the priests as boiled and eaten by the priests.  Anything that remain the next morning was burned.

vs. 35-37 – The rituals continued for seven days with the daily offering of a bull as a sin offering to make atonement for the altar.

vs. 38-42 – Here are directions for the daily offerings at the Tabernacle.  One lamb was offered in the morning and one in the evening, with associated meal and drink offerings. 

vs. 43-46 – The special purpose of the Tabernacle is highlighted.  God would sanctify the priesthood to serve Him.  He would dwell there in the Most Holy Place among the nation of Israel and they would know His greatness.

There is much to be said in these chapters.  Every detail is important.  We could highlight Christ as the perfect High Priest.  But I want to go a little different route.  It amazes me that God works through men.  He could have sent angels to oversee His worship, but he chose one family from the tribe of Levi.  They were human like us, some more saintly than others.  Yet God worked through them and consecrated them to His service.  How wonderful is it that He call us to serve Him, not in offering sacrifices that Christ fulfilled, but in offering our own selves as living sacrifices.

Our hymn, “Now Let Our Cheerful Eyes Survey”, was written in 1738 by Philip Doddridge.  His most famous hymn is “O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice”.  In our hymn, he blends the imagery of the High Priesthood of Aaron with that of Christ.  Most memorable is his likening of the breastplate, which for Christ does not contain the twelve tribes of Israel but the names of all the saints.

Now let our cheerful eyes survey
Our great high priest above,
And celebrate his constant care,
And sympathetic love.

Tho' rais'd to a superior throne,
Where angels bow around,
And high o'er all the shining train
With matchless honors crown'd;

The names of all his saints he bears,
Deep graven on his heart;
Nor shall the meanest christian say
That he has lost his part.

Those characters shall fair abide,
Our everlasting trust,
When gems, and monuments, and crowns
Have moulder'd down to dust.

So, gracious savior, on my breast
May thy dear name be worn,
A sacred ornament and guard,
To endless ages borne!