6/22/2008

The Priest's Garments

Exodus 28:1-43
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?
This passage is, like several before it, a one-way discourse between God and Moses where God is giving specific
instruction to him. We know that Moses has been selected by God to be God's ambassador to the Israelites. This
passage gives us insight into the detailed nature of God's character. Also, we are reminded that God is a
purposeful god; there are reasons he has things done they way he does.
When does this passage take place?

Since this is a continuation of the previous passages, we know that Exodus 19:1 tells us that the israelites arrived at
Sinai exactly three months after leaving Egypt, which would be around the end of May/beginning of June by our
calendar. At the end of Chapter 24, we are told that Moses dwelt with God on the mountain for 40 days. This
section of scripture appears to be during this 40 day period.

Where does this passage take place?

This passage takes place during the 40 days that Moses is dwelling with God on Mount Sinai.

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

This chapter deals with the priests' garments. God told Moses to have Aaron and his sons brought to him so
they could be priests. Aaron was to wear sacred garments so he would have dignity and honor, and these garments
were to be a breastpiece, an ephod (2-piece garment, held to the body by a woven waistband and joined at the
shoulders by straps), a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash and these were all to be made out of the finest
linens and colored yarns. Two onyx stones were to be engraved with the names of the sons of Israel in their birth
order (6 names on each stone) and then mounted on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones. His sons
would be clothed similarly.
The breastpiece was to be made with 4 rows of precious stones, and each stone represented the names of the
sons of Isreal. Also, they were each to be engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes. The breastpiece
would be attached to the ephod. This was God's way of making sure that any time Aaron entered the Holy Place,
the names of the sons of Israel would be over his heart as a memorial to the Lord. Also, the Urim and the
Thummim would be over his heart, in the breastpiece, so he would always "bear the means of making decisions for
the Israelites over his heart before the Lord".
The robe would be made of blue cloth with bells around the hem, so that when he ministers, the sound of the
bells would be heard when he enters the Holy Place and so he wouldn't die when he came out.
A plate of pure gold with the engraving "Holy to the Lord" would be attached to the turban on the front, so that
when Aaron wore it, he would bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrated. This was so the
gifts would be acceptable to the Lord.
II. Interpretation

What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

What do we learn of God's character based upon the types and nature of these instruction? Does this passage point us
toward or connect with Christ? If so, how?

God describes in great detail how each part of the priest's garments were to be made with each part significant for its own
reason. How might we incorporate these priorities as we approach God on our own today?

III. Application

The priest's garments were not made in such detail for God's benefit, but for the priest's. As the priest put on his
garments, he would be reminded of his solemn responsibility before the Lord and the people. How would our lives be
different if we wore a reminder of our responsibility and duty as believers each day? Would we take lightly the things
that should offend us?

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