The Priestly Garments

INTRO

We’re continuing to look at the instructions the Lord gave Moses for building the tabernacle. Exodus 26 described how the ten inner curtains and 11 outer curtains were designed and installed over the upright planks and cross bars. God gives details of the veil and the embroidered screen for the entrance. Exodus 27 described the altar of burnt offering and its utensils, the courtyard, and the lampstand filled with oil. God instructed Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as the holy priests to operate and maintain the holy things inside the tabernacle.

As a quick review, in Exodus 19:3–6, God referred to the Israelites in three different ways: (1) as God’s special treasure, (2) as a kingdom of priests (all of the Israelites were priests in so many regards, but God also established specific priesthood in the Levites), and (3) a holy nation.

TEACHING

Exodus 28:1: Following God’s instructions, Moses appointed his brother Aaron and his four sons (Moses’ nephews) to serve as priests before God. Constable gave four specific roles of the priests: (1) maintaining the holy place of the tabernacle by burning incense, trimming the lamps, and replacing the showbread; (2) maintaining the tabernacle courtyard, including offering sacrifices, keeping the fire burning, and removing the ashes; (3) inspecting and appraising the people and their sacrifices; and (4) teaching the Mosaic Law, counseling the people, and deciding difficult cases.¹

Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire in the tabernacle and were burned to death before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1–2). Following that incident, Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests according to the instructions God set forth. The role of the priests was to serve God, which was emphasized no less than five times in Exodus and Leviticus. The rest of this chapter described their priestly garments, which would become their uniform for serving.

Exodus 28:2: God then gave Moses specific instructions for making holy garments for the priests. Wiersbe said these holy garments “gave the priests dignity and honor . . . revealed spiritual truths relating to their ministry . . . and if the priests didn’t wear the special garments, they might die.”²

If you’re not focused on your role to serve God, it can go by the wayside. Ezekiel said the priests permitted people to worship idols, and the Israelites were sent into exile in Babylon as a result. As leaders inside the church, this is a serious responsibility. We don’t want to lead God’s people by the wayside. That’s why we need revival.

Exodus 28:3–5: Moses conveyed the instructions to skilled craftsmen who then created the priests’ clothing: “a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a specially woven tunic, a turban, and a sash . . . [using] gold; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and fine linen” (vv. 4–5). Remember, the blue-purple-scarlet represents Christ in His humanity and divinity.

Exodus 28:6–14: These garments were so important that the priests could be killed if they didn’t wear them (Exodus 28:43). The Ephod was made with fine linen and “embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn” (v. 6). It was joined together by two shoulder pieces and held in place by an “artistically woven waistband” (v. 8). An onyx stone was engraved and attached to each shoulder with gold filigree settings. The onyx stone on the right shoulder was engraved with the names of these six tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, and Naphtali (who were Jacob’s first six sons). The onyx stone on the left should was engraved with the names Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin (Jacob’s younger sons). As the high priest, Aaron would carry these stones on his shoulders as a memorial to the Israelites. Filigree is delicate jewelry metalwork made with tiny beads or twisted thread, or a combination of both, arranged in artistic motifs and soldered together or to the surface of an object. In addition to the settings, gold filigree was used to create two braided cords that were also attached to the settings. Aaron’s garments would remind him of his role to present the people to the Lord.

Exodus 28:15–21: The embroidered breastpiece was “square and folded double, nine inches long and nine inches wide” (v. 16) and was made with the same materials and workmanship as the ephod. The breastpiece was used for making decisions. It contained four rows of three stones set in gold filigree, with each different stone engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Therefore, when the priest entered the holy place, he carried the names of the tribes on his shoulders and on his heart. Malachi 3:17 says, “‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.’” The term “special possession” can mean special jewels.

Exodus 28:22–28: The breastpiece was attached to the ephod at the shoulders and the waistband with gold braided chains threaded through gold rings on its corners. Look at the detailed instructions God gave to Moses. Everything had to be carefully made according to God’s design.

Exodus 28:29–30: Whenever Aaron entered the sanctuary, he carried the names of the tribes over his heart. What did it look like when Jesus and Paul carried people in their hearts? When we carry people in our hearts before God?

Within the breastpiece, the priest carried the Urim and Thummim to be used for making decisions. The Urim began with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the Thummim began with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Some think these items represented casting lots: Urim for “no”, and Thummim for “yes”. All we know for certain is that somehow God spoke through these instruments to provide divine guidance for the Israelites (Leviticus 8:8; 1 Samuel 28:6).

Exodus 28:31–35: The robe was made from blue yarn. It was worn under the ephod, the breastpiece, and the shoulder pieces. The hem of the robe was decorated with gold bells alternated with pomegranates made from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. The priests wore the robe whenever they ministered, and the bells would sound as they entered and exited the sanctuary of the Lord. Why? If the bells made no sound, the people would know the priest died in the Most Holy Place. They tied a long rope to the priests’ ankle in case he died while in the Most Holy Place then they could pull him out without having to go inside.

Exodus 28:36–38: A pure gold medallion engraved with HOLY TO THE LORD was fastened to a blue cord and attached to the turban. The priest wore this to be acceptable to the Lord and so they could “bear the guilt connected with the holy offerings that the Israelites consecrate” (v. 38).

Exodus 28:39–43: God included instructions for the priests’ tunic, turban, sash, and headband, also made from fine linen and beautifully embroidered, to give the priests “glory and beauty” (v. 40). To cover their nakedness, the priests wore linen undergarments from the waist to the thighs. Moses was commanded to “anoint, ordain, and consecrate” Aaron and his sons to serve God as priests. Whenever the priests entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar, they had to wear these garments so they would not die.

CLOSING

The priests had to come to the table with a pure heart, represent the people without guile, and worship without deviating from the commands. Jesus is our High Priest. We no longer need the high priests who had to enter the tabernacle for the people because we have Jesus, our forever High Priest. Hebrews 4:14 confirms that Jesus is our High Priest.

Hebrews 2:17: “Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”