Exodus 28-31

Garments for the Priesthood (28:1-4)

Chapter 28 begins by describing the garments that must be worn by the priest (Aaron and his sons) who served the Lord in the tabernacle. Each piece of the priestly garments was made to God's specifications and as "holy garments" (28:2,4) They were also to be made "for glory and for beauty" (28:2)

by "gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom" and garments made for the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the Lord (28:3).

The garments to be made were: "a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash" (28:4).



The Ephod (28:5-13)

The Ephod was an outer garment worn by Aaron. It's significant that the Lord commanded that they should take "two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel" (28:9). These were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The two stones were to be attached to the shoulders of the Ephod and were to be set in pure gold. Then a set of gold chains were to be attached from one side of the Ephod to the other which connected the two stones.



It was as if God was saying to Aaron "the weight of the sins of the people of Israel are on your shoulders". The priest were responsible for making the sacrifices on behalf of the people. It was a huge responsibility. Without the sacrifices, there was no remission for sin. Until the ultimate sacrifice was made on the cross, the priest offered the substitutionary lambs before God for the people.



The Breastplate (28:15-30)

On the breastplate, again the Lord commands that the names of the twelve tribes be engraved on stones. The stones were to be set in gold and attached to the front of the breastplate in four rows (17-21). Rings were fashioned out of gold with chains attached and blue cords that connected the Ephod to the Breastplate. (22-28) "So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel (the twelve tribes) on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually" (28:29).

God wanted Aaron to bear the names of the 12 tribes every time he came into the tabernacle (the presence of the Lord). It was a constant memorial to him and the people that there was no permanent cure for their sin problem. That would only come later through the sacrifice of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Until then, "So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually" (28:30b)



Other Priestly Garments (28:31-43)

All the garments were hand woven of fine linen. The robe was to be blue and the hem was to have pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet woven into it and alternated with gold bells (pomegranate, bell, pomegranate, bell) all around the hem of the garment. (28:31-34). The bells were attached so that he could be heard while he was in the holy of holies. It the bells stopped ringing, they knew that God's judgment had fallen on the priest and he was dead and needed to be pulled out of the holy of holies by the blue cords attached to him. (28:35)



"You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD (28:36) This engraved plate was to be attached with a blue cord to the front of the turban worn by the priest. This plate is referred to as "the holy crown" of the turban. It reminds me of the holy crown worn by Christ on the cross, but his was made of thorns, not gold.


Aaron and his sons consecrated (29:1-37)
The Daily Offerings (29:38-46)

The Altar of Incense (30:1-10)
The Altar of Incense was representative of the prayers of the saints being lifted up to God and was burning day and night (30:7-8). This was to be a perpetual burning of sweet smelling incense unto the Lord. Many references are made to the incense's representation of the prayers of the saints (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3)

The Ransom Money (30:11-16)
These were offerings taken each year during the census, this money was used to sustain the functions of the tabernacle (30:11-16)

The Bronze Laver (30:17-21)
This laver was filled with water that was to be used by the priest (Aaron and his sons) was washing themselves before entering the tabernacle of meeting.

The Holy Anointing Oil (30:22-38)
This oil was made from very specific ingredients, described here, and was used to anoint every thing in the tabernacle, to make it holy before the Lord.

Artisans for Building the Tabernacle (31:1-11)
God called very specific people to aid in the construction process they are actually named here (Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan). These two men and their tribes were given special wisdom, and knowledge for the construction and design of the tabernacle and everything that was to be used in it's construction and ministry. Verse 3 says that this wisdom, understanding and knowledge has come from "the filling of the Spirit of God".

The Sabboth Law (12-18)

The people were commanded through Moses to keep the sabbath day holy. A day of rest consecrated to the Lord. This passage refers back to creation and the fact that the Lord worked for six days and "the seventh day He rested and was refreshed"(31:17b)

How often do we ignore the fact that there is a day that we should set apart for worship. Not only for worship, but also for rest from our work. In today's society, many people work seven days a week. What for? So they can buy more stuff to fill their lives that are left empty, because they fail to recognize the God of the universe who has made all things possible for us. He has blessed us so much especially in America, yet we fail to bless Him for what he has given us.

I fear that our ungrateful hearts are quickly going to be judged. I pray that we as a nation wake up to the reality that WE OWE HIM EVERYTHING!!!

May God be merciful to us...