Exodus 28
The Garments of the Priests
Holy
As you walk toward the center of the camp, you hear a distinctive sound. It is like the sound of several small bells tinkling as someone walks.
Reaching the center of the camp, tall curtains outline the boundaries of the main tent around which everything else is arranged. You walk along the curtain wall, still hearing the bells moving closer to you, when suddenly your nose picks up the faint scent of cinnamon and something almost like myrrh.
As you come to the corner close to the entrance, you see him. Dressed in multi-colored robes, layered with a breastplate of jewels, he is a sight to behold. But you don’t just see him, you hear him coming and sense his presence by his scent. He is the high priest of Israel, and he is truly different from everyone else you have ever seen.
As we enter chapter 28, the descriptions are going to be given for the garments of the priests and high priest. Throughout the chapter, God is going to tell Moses that these men are going to be holy (set apart), their garments designed for glory and beauty. The purpose is to distinguish them from anyone else in Israel so that there is no doubt when the people are in the presence of a priest.
Whether by smell, appearance, or sound. God was establishing a system by which those who were His could be readily identified by those around them. Even the blind or deaf would have a means of identifying a priest without the priest ever saying a word.
In the New Testament covenant, Christians are supposed to be that same type of people. Not from the standpoint of showiness with our clothing, but with our hearts. We are to be a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), we are to present ourselves as holy (Romans 12:1), and we are to be holy, as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The call to holiness is the call to be distinctive in a world that relishes fitting in. It is a distinctiveness in the way we talk, act, and live. As you read Exodus 28, consider the applications to what God looks for in us when it comes to holiness, because it is far more than simply stating, “I am a Christian.”
Exodus 28
Consecration of Aaron and His Sons (Vs. 1-5)
Aaron and his four sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar) are selected by God to be his first priests. (Vs. 1)
They are to have “holy garments” for glory and beauty. (Vs. 2)
The term “holy” means set apart, or distinctive.
They are to be noticeably different from every other Israelite.
Moses is to speak to the skilled creators among the people and have six items created. (Vs. 3-4)
A breastplate.
An ephod.
A robe.
A coat of checkered fabric.
A turban.
A sash.
The creators are to receive gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen for the creation of the garments. (Vs. 5)
The Ephod (Vs. 6-14)
The ephod is to be made of the aforementioned materials skillfully worked together. (Vs. 6)
It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to its edges to join it together. (Vs. 7)
The band on the ephod will be made the same way with the same materials, and it will be made of one piece. (Vs. 8)
Two onyx stones are to be taken. (Vs. 9-14)
The names of the sons of Israel are to be engraved on them, six on each stone (Notice: these are the names of each son, not each tribe). (Vs. 9-10)
They are to be engraved in the form of a jeweler engraving signets. (Vs. 11)
They are to be enclosed in settings of gold. (Vs. 11)
The stones are then to be set on the shoulder pieces of the Ephod. (Vs. 12)
This will illustrate the high priest bearing the names of the people on his shoulders before the Lord.
It will be utilized as a remembrance, or a memorial.
The settings are to be taken with two chains of pure gold, braided like cords, and attached to the cords. (Vs. 13-14)
The Breastplate (Vs. 15-30)
The breastplate of judgment is to be made with skilled work after the same manner, and with the same materials, as the ephod. (Vs. 15-16)
It is to be square and double-folded.
It is to be a span (about 9-inches) in length and width.
It is to have four rows of stones. (Vs. 17-21)
The first row: A sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle.
The second row: an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
The third row: a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.
The fourth row: a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.
All of these are to be placed in settings of gold.
Each is to be engraved, like signets, with the name of one of the sons of Israel.
The breastplate is to have braided cords of pure gold, connected by two rings of gold on the breastplate at one end, and to two rings of gold attached to the two shoulder pieces of the ephod on the other end. (Vs. 22-27)
It is to be bound to the rings of the ephod and breastplate by a blue cord to ensure it does not come loose. (Vs. 28)
In this way, Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate on his heart as he goes before the Lord in the Holy Place. (Vs. 29)
In the breastplate is to be placed the Urim and Thummim (emblems of God’s judgment) in the breastplate. They will be carried with the high priest as the judgment of the people on his heart before the Lord continually. (Vs. 30)
Other Garments (Vs. 31-43)
The robe of the ephod. (Vs. 31-35)
It is to be made entirely of blue. (Vs. 31)
On the hem there are to be pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, alternated with golden bells. (Vs. 32-34)
This is so that he can be heard when entering and leaving the Holy Place. (Vs. 35)
The engraved plate of gold. (Vs. 36-38)
The plate is to be engraved with the phrase, “Holy to the Lord.” (Vs. 36)
It is to be fastened to the front of the turban with a blue cord. (Vs. 37)
Aaron will wear this (as high priest) on his forehead so that the gifts of the people will be accepted before the Lord. (Vs. 38)
The tunic of checker work. (Vs. 39)
The turban of fine linen. (Vs. 39)
The sash embroidered with needlework. (Vs. 39)
The coats sashes and caps for Aaron and his sons are to be made for glory and beauty. (Vs. 40)
They are to be anointed, ordained, and consecrated to serve as priests. (Vs. 41)
Anointed - Usually done with oil as a ceremonial dedication.
Ordained - Literally in Hebrew, “to fill the hand,” it means to be given what they need to fulfill the service God has placed upon them.
Consecrated - Set apart, dedicated to the task they have been given.
The priest’s undergarments. (Vs. 42-43)
They are to cover the hips and thighs. (Vs. 42)
They are to be worn whenever they go into the tabernacle or come to minister at the altar. (Vs. 43)
These are to be worn to protect their dignity and to keep them from bearing guilt during their service to God. (Vs. 43)