We have been noting in the Book of Exodus that as the Hebrews headed to the Promised Land of Canaan, God was teaching them how to live in a loving relationship. God gave them instructions and to build things to be used for worship. This morning we will learn about priests, besides Moses.
Please open your Bibles to Exodus 28…. I have asked Daniel Pryor to read for us this morning…. Let us read along with Daniel….
v1: God called Aaron, Moses’ brother, along with his sons to be priests.
Hebrew word for priest here is “kohen” = minister (lead and serve) to people for God!
v2: Aaron was dressed for God for dignity and honor
v3??
- Skilled (leb in Hebrew) = not only ability but right attitude of mind and heart!
- God gifted these “skilled” men
- “skilled” men called to make godly garments for the priest
v4-28: Details of the Priests’ garments (see drawing)
v6-12 Ephod (outer robe) – with precious stones engraved with each name of Israel’s sons
v12…. an awesome responsibility for Aaron the Priest
v13-14 Gold Jewelry as settings
v15- 28 Breastpiece – made similarly like the Ephod
v29-30: Aaron’s responsibility restated: a priest who carries all Israel in his heart!
Urim and Thummim represent perfect “lights”! We can note that Aaron the priest were to make decisions for people with God’s “lights” (God’s presence and truth)!
v31-35 Robe with bells (everyone must know that Aaron meets with God)
v36-38 Turban (for the mindset of the priests); it was not just to protect the head
- Holy to the Lord engraved on a gold plate in front of the turban
- as priest, Aaron, is mediator between Holy God and sinful people (v38)
v39-42:
- all garments are to give honor and dignity to the priests
- Moses was responsible to dress, anoint, ordain, and consecrate all the priests
v43: The Priests must always be dressed properly as they minister or they will be guilty and die!
What Biblical Principles can we note from this passage and applications for our lives today?
a. God called priests to lead and serve people for God!
b. Priests, representatives for God are to be dressed with dignity and honor!
c. God gifts people with skills but a right mind and attitude must come from the worker.
God still does this today! Our job is to look for these gifts and skills and have the right heart and attitude!
d. The Main Priest Aaron was called to carry all of Israel’s sins; note that God’s “lights” were with Aaron. Today, Jesus is the Light to the world and we Christians are called to be light to the world for God!
e. Priests must have a mindset of the Holiness of God and be dressed with dignity and honor.
We had been noting that the relationship of God with the Hebrews of old was a precursor to the relationship of Christians with God today; and so,
Two simple life applications for us today from Exodus 28:
1. Jesus Christ is the final High Priest for all people (Hebrews 4:14-16….)!
We must hold on to the faith in Jesus Christ as the Only Savior and Lord!
2. We Christians are a Royal Priesthood for God today (1 Peter 2:9….).
The Priests of old for the Hebrews dressed for the glory of God. How should Christians be dressed today, both physically and spiritually! Should Christians were "bells" and "turbans" today?
And so, as we note Aaron and his sons as our example, 2 major things to note: Let us have a mindset of holiness and always be dressed properly (both physically and spiritually) to represent God!
