Exodus 28-29

Exodus 28-29

Next God begins developing the priesthood, setting up Aaron as the first priest. Once more, Exodus 28 offers a specific list of instructions, this time discussing how to make the garments that the priests will wear. One of the pieces to their garments was two stones that would have the 12 tribes of Israel listed on them. Aaron was to wear these two stones on his shoulders, bearing them before the Lord. Remember that in the Old Covenant there was not this sense of direct access to God as we know today. Exodus 26 already illustrated this point by making the distinction between the people and the Most Holy Place. But now God has given them a sense of access, through His chosen priests. They are the ones who will make intercession on part of the Israelites. Although this chapter does not explain their roles, for that is coming later, it does begin to set up the priesthood.

Aaron’s role is more clearly seen in the development of the breastplate. It too was to bear the names of the 12 tribes. God tells Moses that Aaron will be the one who will enter the Holy Place (not the Most Holy Place) to bring them to remembrance before the Lord. So although the priesthood itself has not been completely outlined, God is showing what specific role Aaron will have before the people. He is a major leader of the people of Israel right alongside Moses. The rest of Exodus 28 continues to explain how his garments are to be made, but it also stresses the importance of Aaron following God’s instructions. These garments are not only to be made in a certain way, but they are also to be used in a certain way. God had a specific plan for the priesthood, and He laid the guidelines out carefully. Just as it was important for Moses and the people to follow God’s instructions carefully in constructing all the necessary parts of the tabernacle, Aaron was to follow God’s instructions about his role as a priest carefully as well. Once again it all comes back down to obedience, a key aspect of the life of the child of God.

Exodus 29 discusses how the priests are to be consecrated. God developed a ceremony that He wanted the Israelites to go through in consecrating the priests. It began with a sacrifice, which is a sign of giving God their best and showing humility before the Lord. They understood that it was God who had given them this opportunity and it was nothing that they had done. It later explains how this ceremony will last 7 days. While there may be significance to the number 7 in this passage, I think it is important to note that this is not a simple ceremony. It does not last for just a few minutes; rather it lasts for 7 days. It takes sacrifice to give up the different items for the offerings to God, but it takes just as much of a sacrifice to give up an entire week for such a service. Could you imagine if such ceremonies were required for certain positions in the church today? I wonder how many would be willing to give up that much of their time and their money or possessions to serve the Lord. Although sacrificing things in life is hard, I feel like the sacrifice of time might be the hardest for us today. We may actually find it easier to write a check than to give up a few hours of our week to serve God. Here, God required both, money and time.

Matt