Introduction
If you keep a finger in Hebrews Chapter 4, we will be referring to that a bit later. But if you could turn to Exodus chapter 28, I am going to talk through chapters 28 and 29 to put the message into the context of God’s people.
To set the scene, the people of Israel have escaped Egypt and the might of the Pharaoh’s army. They are living in the wilderness and God is putting them through their paces in order to fine tune their reliance upon him as this God and them as his people. God wanted to dwell among his people and so in Chapter 26, he provides strict instructions to Moses for the tabernacle, chapter 27 we learn about the three pieces of furniture, the ark, table and lampstand and if we take both of them together, we see that God is creating a symbolic foreshadow of things to come. The tabernacle refers to the whole of creation where in Revelation 21:1-5 details how God’s glory will fill all of creation and the three pieces of furniture symbolise the three persons in the Trinity, the Ark – the Father; the table – the Son; and the lampstand – the Holy Spirit.
So we have the scene set, the ‘house’ God will reside in and the symbolic presence of the Trinity. All the people of Israel need now, is someone who can approach the throne of God on their behalf, to seek forgiveness, atonement and sanctification.
The chosen priesthood
Chapter 28:1 – five Israelites are chosen to fulfil the sacred duty of priesthood, Aaron and his four sons. There was nothing special that set the five apart from any other Israelite, they were not super clean individuals who were holier than others. Indeed, in v2 we are told Aaron requires sacred garments to give him dignity and honour. We read this again in v40 when God refers to Aaron’s sons. They required special clothing to make them suitable for their elected roles.
The sacred garments
Chapter 28, verses 2 to 43 describes, in detail the garments these priests were to wear. Vv2 to 39 all pertain to Aaron who, later, will be installed as the High Priest with specific duties that only he can perform once installed. Verse 40 to 43 refer to all five, the other four priests serving in a more minor capacity to Aaron.
V3 - God shows he is in control by equipping those who are to make the outfits listed in v4 and then in v5, we find the garments are to be made in the same colours and fabric as the curtains of the tabernacle (gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen), thereby signifying that they are working for God. Compare with 26:1.
The ephod
In vv6-24, we read about the ephod. Now, no one is actually sure what this piece of garment is. However, it seems to be either a kilt-like outfit, an apron or a waistcoat. This particular ephod has characteristic shoulder ornaments; an onyx stone on each shoulder.
In verse 10 we are told that each of the 12 sons of Israel were to be engraved, 6 on each in birth order upon them and in verse 12 they are memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron will literally carry the names of God’s people upon his shoulders when he approaches God’s throne. What is more, Aaron, the High Priest, identifies himself with these people, he is one of them and their representative, whilst they are upon his shoulders. Whenever he sacrificed an animal, whenever he approached the throne of God, whenever he sought forgiveness and atonement, he did so on behalf of God’s people.
The Breastpiece of Judgement
Vv15-30 describes the breast piece to be worn by the High Priest, made of similar coloured fabric to the ephod and the tabernacle. V15 says this breast piece is for making decisions, whilst the ESV calls this the breast piece of judgement. This piece was similar to what kings wore on their chests to signify importance and regality, this breast piece, however, unlike the kings’ was made of fabric folded in half to make a pouch.
You’ll notice there are two important parts of the breast piece (other than its size and material it is made from) and they are the stones on the outside and the contents on the inside.
Vv17 to 20 - the four rows of precious stones, three on each row. Each precious stone to be engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel (v21). In v29, we are told these stones and names were a continuing memorial before the Lord. Aaron spoke for the people, Aaron was their mediator between the people and God, and so it was only right to bear them upon his heart.
Within this pouch are two items, v30 calls them the Urim and the Thummim. No Bible scholar seems to agree what these items actually were apart from items of divination. They allowed the bearer to answer specific questions before God. For example, in Numbers 27:21, the priest, Eleazar consulted the Urim for Joshua to decide whether the whole assembly were to go out or to come in. If you read Ezra 2:63 you will discover the Urim and Thummim are part of the possessions the people of Judah had returned to Jerusalem following their second exile. So these items, whatever they were, were considered important artefacts.
Whether Aaron was to use them for this particular task or not, is unclear, but symbolically, they represented, as verse 30 says the means of making decisions for the Israelites. Aaron was to bear the judgement of his people upon his heart whenever he approached the throne of God.
Other garments
Vv31 – 35 describes the robe of the ephod. This is a large seamless piece of woven blue fabric with an opening for the head in its centre that had been women to prevent tearing (v32).
Vv33-34 talks about fabric pomegranates and gold bells attached to the bottom hem of the robe arranged one after the other. Pomegranates are sweet fruit and may denote the sweet smell that covers our sinful stench but the bells have a specific function as mentioned in v35. These bells would unavoidably ring when Aaron would move. This ensured total transparency of the work of the priest on behalf of the people. The tabernacle was completely shut off from all but the priests. Outside the tabernacle was a large courtyard area cordoned off by further curtains, preventing anyone to look in. The bells were to inform those on the outside where Aaron was at any one time during his priestly duties. If they heard the bells, they were reassured that Aaron had not died and was still interceding with God on their behalf.
V36-38, Aaron must wear a gold plate on his forehead. On the gold plate are the words, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD’. This represented the ‘guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be’. Aaron was symbolically bearing the guilt of the God’s people before the Lord. Perhaps symbolising God making the people holy.
Vv39-40 describes the tunic, turban and sash to be worn by Aaron and his sons and then v42-43 the undergarments to be worn to prevent nakedness and any resulting guilt.
The Ordination
Chapter 29 details the very complex ordination process which lasted seven days. Remember seven is a symbol for completeness. Therefore, the repetitive procedures that must be done to Aaron and his sons every day for seven days not only symbolises completeness in their ordination (a kind of forever lasting stamp of their priesthood) but also it heightens the importance of their ordination.
There are two main parts to this procedure; purification with blood and anointing with oil.
Purification with Blood
In order to be consecrated for God’s work, to carry out God’s work and to focus entirely on God’s work, the priests were washed with water (v4), perhaps symbolising the future baptism. Once dressed in their garments, Aaron was to proceed with the sacrifice of the bull vv10-14. This was a sin offering, first for himself to signify his atonement before offering the sacrifice for the people he represented. V15-18, shows the first ram to be slaughtered and burnt whole on the altar – this is a food offering. Vv19-21 details the slaughter of the second ram and the following blood rituals including dabbing right ear, thumb and big toe.
The key thing here, of course, is found in vv10, 15 & 19 when Aaron and his sons lay their hands upon the Bull and the two rams. This is a symbol of togetherness. They were identifying themselves, and therefore everybody else through Aaron of being one with the animal. The sacrifice of these animals was almost a propitiation for the humans, the animals were slaughtered instead of the Israelites. The blood of these animals was shed for the sins of the people.
Anointing with Oil
This oil gets everywhere, on Aaron’s head (29:7), mixed with the blood of the second ram and sprinkled on the garments (v21). Aaron and his sons were anointed for God’s work. They, above all other Israelites, were only permitted in the tabernacle every day, in close proximity to God’s throne.
Daily Duties of the Priesthood
Vv38-41 lays out the daily duties of the priests once they have been installed and ordained. Notice in v38, this is a continual and daily atonement process. One day’s worth of sacrifice was only sufficient for that particular day.
The Purpose of it All
Vv42-46 gives us the reason for the intricate and specific instructions. V45 –Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
This is the reason for the entire Exodus from Egypt. God wanted to dwell with his people. He wanted to be a part of their daily lives.
As we read in Chapter 40, the tabernacle was finished, it all became a reality for the people of Israel. Aaron and his sons were ordained and installed as High Priest and priests. And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
A Foreshadow of Things to Come
But this was a foreshadow of things to come, Hebrews 4:14-5:10.
Aaron was the High Priest elected by God to mediate for the Israelites. Hebrews 4:14 Christ is our Great High Priest who mediates on our behalf.
4:15 Christ was tempted in every way, yet did not sin.
5:5 Christ was elected for this purpose.
5:7 Christ was humble in his calling
5:9 Christ obeyed his father and once he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
So let’s look at some other passages that confirm that Christ is on our side, as it were…
Just as Aaron bore the names of the sons of Israel on his shoulders, Is 9:6 tells us Christ will have the government upon his shoulders.
Just as the priests wore a golden sash around them, in Revelation 1:13, John sees one like a Son of man wearing a golden sash.
Just as Aaron was sprinkled with the sacrificial blood, in Romans 3:25 we read God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood.
Just as Aaron was ordained to approach God’s throne and intercede on behalf of the Israelites, in Romans 8:34 says this, Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Just as Aaron bore the judgement of the people on his heart, in Isaiah 53:5 it says, But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed.
Just as the priests had to wear the robe of ephod, a complete and seamless piece of fabric with a hemmed hole for the head so it did not tear, we are told in John 19:23, when the soldiers took Christ’s clothes, he was left with his undergarments, a garment that was seamless and woven in one piece from top to bottom.
Just as Aaron and the priests were washed before being clothed at the entrance of the tent before they began their ministry, in Mark 1:9, Christ is baptised in the River Jordan before heaven opens, the spirit descends like a dove and his ministry begins.
However, whereas Aaron was to give a sin offering for himself first before offering on behalf of the people, Hebrews 7:27 says, unlike other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Christ was enough. He had no sin to atone first.
Whereas the animals were almost a propitiation for the human sin, in Romans 3:21-25, Christ is the propitiation for us. Christ died for us and for our salvation.
Just as Aaron was anointed with oil, baby Jesus received myrrh, an anointing oil when the magi visited in Matthew 2:11 and in Hebrews 1:9, God says of his Son, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. But on top of all that, his very title, the Messiah and the Christ, literally mean the anointed one. Aaron was set apart to be high priest, but was a pale comparison to Christ Jesus the true anointed High Priest.
And whereas Aaron had to repeat the atoning sacrifices daily, in 1 Peter 3:18 we are told that Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us back to God.
Just as the overarching purpose of the exodus from Egypt, the tabernacle and the priests was for the glory of God to dwell among his people, because Christ is our Great High Priest, in Matthew 28:20 we are told that he will be with us always, to the very end of the age.
But that is not all, Revelation 1:5-6 says, To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
We are alive in Christ, he has made us priests washed and sanctified in his blood. So therefore as Hebrews 4:16 says, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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