A Kingdom of Priests

REFLECTION: Psalm 24:1-10

SERMON: Exodus 28-31, 39

BENEDICTION: Hebrews 13:20-21

INTRODUCTION

TRANSITION

Last week, we looked at the Funding, the Furniture, and the Fixtures of the Tabernacle and how they pointed to Christ. I warned you about focusing too deeply on Jewish elements of detail to the point that you aren’t seeing Christ in the text.

If we focus too much on those types of details, it could easily feel like last week and this week are episodes on some OT Bible version of HGTV. “This Old Tabernacle”...

THE PRIESTHOOD

Now, the Lord is instructing Moses about the priesthood that was to preside over the nation’s religious life.

Chapter 28 is a portrayal of the ideal high priest, a foreshadowing or ‘type’ of Christ. But it also contains references to Aaron’s sons (1, 40) and, therefore, in a way, to the “priests” or priesthood.

The priests were going to minister in the tabernacle in a variety of ways:

they would burn incense on the golden altar twice daily,

they would maintain the lampstand and its oil

they would take care of the table of the bread of the Presence,

they would offer sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering, (including taking care of the altar itself)

and they were to bless the people.

These essential duties were the ones that took place inside the tabernacle…but their job description had many other items under the category: “other duties as assigned”

things like:

presiding over civil cases (e.g., Num. 5:5–31; Deut. 19:17; 21:5),

instructing people in the Law (Deut. 17:9, 11; 33:8, 10),

and giving encouragement in times of war (Deut. 20:2–4).

That’s where they’re headed…here is where they got started...

Let’s take a look at how these priests were singled out by the LORD for His service.

Exodus 28:1–3 ESV

1 “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.

Chapter 28 describes the clothes or robes the high priest is to wear. - it’s very much like a uniform.

Imagine you are going about your daily business one day, when someone tells you, “Stop!”

It has a tremendous impact on your response... if you see that they are wearing a police uniform.

It’s a sign that they’re acting with the authority of the state.

In a similar way, the priest’s robes give them “dignity and honour”. They are a sign that the priest is acting with the authority of God.

But there’s more going on than that. These robes are rich with symbolism.

We will not be diving into every nook and cranny of these intelligent designer threads - this is not an Old Testament version of Say Yes to the Dress…(maybe, “give a nod to ephod”…no?).

Let’s take a look at these threads, though.

There were 7 seven pieces of clothing for the high priest to wear.

1. undergarments (vv. 42–43);

2. a white inner robe (“coat”; v. 39; 39:27; Lev. 8:6–7);

3. a blue robe over that, with bells and pomegranates on the hem (Ex. 28:31–35; 39:22–26);

4. the ephod, a sleeveless garment of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, held together by a jeweled clasp on each shoulder (28:6–8; 39:1–5; Lev. 8:7);

5. a girdle (or belt) at the waist (Ex. 28:8);

6. a jeweled breastplate, held in place on the ephod by golden chains attached to the shoulder clasps (vv. 9–30; 39:8–21);

7. and a white linen turban (“miter,” 28:39) with a golden plate on it that said “Holy to the Lord” (v. 36, niv).

I’d like to highlight two of these pieces as a point of interest for us this morning - not focus, but interest.

The undergarments and the breastplate.

UNDERGARMENTS

Exodus 28:42–43 ESV

42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

It might seem odd that undergarments are listed…for us this seems like a bit of a throwaway detail.

But for the Israelites, this IMMEDIATELY contrasted their High Priest and their rites and ceremonies from the surrounding pagan practices of the other nations.

Since we are gathered this morning in various generations and little ears are listening…let me just say it this way:

The worship and sacrifices to pagan gods were salacious and done without garments of any kind.

Alec Motyer writes, “So it was that the high priest possessed inwardly, in that which was hidden from the eye, the beauty and the purity of holiness.”

This earthly priest was to be “pure, set apart from sinners”...

Of course…(you’re probably already there)...this ideal was realized in Jesus and in no other (Hebrews 7:26), the only priest who ‘does not need to offer sacrifices … for his own sins’, for he has none.

In Campbell Morgan’s memorable words (speaking of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ), ‘He was the first Man to enter into the perfect light of heaven in the right of his own holiness. Heaven had never before received such a Man … On that Ascension Day there came into heaven a Man Who asked no mercy. Pure, spotless, victorious, He came into the light of heaven, and caused no shadow there.”

BREASTPLATE

The second item is this breastpiece. (vv15-16)

Exodus 28:15–16 ESV

15 “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. 16 It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth.

Exodus 28:21 ESV

21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.

This piece is tied to the front of the priest over the ephod (v 22–28).

Sown into it are twelve precious stones in four rows (v 17–20). for the twelve “sons [or tribes] of Israel” (v 21). As a result, “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord” (v 29).

The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were also inscribed on two stones, six on each, and placed on the shoulders of the ephod (v 9–14).

With the breastpiece and these stones, it allows the priest “to bear the names [of God’s people] near his head and his heart as a memorial before the Lord” (v 12).

The breastpiece is referred to as the Breastpiece of decision, or judgment.

Do you see that little pouch sticking out? It’s a connection to how the LORD directed the Priest on major decisions at the time.

It’s probably a reference to the Urim and Thummim, which were kept in a pocket in the breastpiece. We don’t really know what these were except that they were used for making decisions. They probably involved different coloured stones which were selected at random to determine God’s will—a bit like drawing a raffle ticket, but with complete confidence that God would use the draw to reveal his will.

It’s strange. It’s at a different historical time. It’s still God leading His dear children along…but aren’t you glad for the Word of God and the Spirit of God?

Sinclair Ferguson says that knowing God’s will “comes through a combination of the study of God’s word (where we learn the great principles of his will), a heart which is submitted to the Lord of the word, and the help of the Spirit who illuminates the word and leads us into a true application of its principles to our own situation” (emphasis his).

Whenever we are uncertain what to do, we should pray that the Spirit would use the Word to show us the way. And God will answer our prayers, for the Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (Jas. 1:5).

SACRFICES REQURED

CHAPTER 28 provided the Visual Aid of the priests’ separation, but guess what. They were still sinners. Right clothes were not enough to allow them into the Lord’s presence.

In CHAPTER 29, we see how they were to be cleansed, and sacrifices made as an offering for their sin and covering.

They were first washed from head to toe, symbolizing spiritual cleansing (v. 4).

Next they were clothed with the garments (vv. 5-6) mentioned in chapter 28.

Then they were ready to be ordained.

There was anointing oil to pour on their heads, showing that they were set apart for their ministry (v. 7).

A bull and 2 rams were sacrificed. Blood was applied to the right ears, thumbs, and big toes of the priests. There was a meal. They did this every day for 7 days.

Then they entered the temple to sacrifice EVER DAY. Lambs, grain, oil…they sacrificed and worshiped EVERY DAY!

WOW! Just wow! That’s a lot. And we are skimming the surface of detail.

Of all the lines of focus we can take through this text…I’d like to hone in 2 that absolutely apply to us today. Applying the more timeless elements of these passages - we see:

- THE HIGH PRIEST

- THE PRIESTHOOD

JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST

We noted earlier that God is showing Moses that Aaron will function as the high priest. There will be quite a bit of distinction to his role as He will stand before the LORD in matters of worship. He’s the people’s representative to God and God’s representative to the the people.

High Priest Distinctions

a heavenly man

represents God’s wisdom

representative of the people / representative of God himself

responsible as the mediator

holy

separate from sinners

Jesus stands superior in SO MANY WAYS…but here are just a handful...

First, Jesus is superior in holiness.

Remember the problem facing the priests in Exodus was that they were sinners. All the sacrifices and wearing all the right garments still wasn’t enough. The OT priests were imperfect.

Jesus, however, never failed.

He was NOT clothed with beautiful garments but with perfect holiness.

He WAS clothed with glory ( Heb 1:3).

He did NOT need to OFFER sacrifice for Himself. He was and is the spotless, sinless, holy lamb of God ( Heb 7:26-28).

Second, as our great high priest, Jesus had a superior anointing.

He too was anointed for His priestly ministry.

His baptism was part of this ordination.

But instead of OIL symbolizing the Spirit, the HOLY SPIRIT Himself descended on Jesus ( Luke 3:21-22).

Luke said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” ( Acts 10:38).

Third, as our great high priest, Jesus is superior in representation.

The high priest stood in the place of Israel before GOD. Every Israelite understood that he represented him or her. The priest carried their names with him.

Jesus is better - Jesus, the Son of God, represents us.

Instead of stones on His shoulders, He carried a cross on His shoulders. He carried us on His shoulders—bearing our judgment in our place ( 2 Cor 5:21).

He carried our names NOT on a breastpiece, BUT ON His heart—for we are in Christ.

We died with Him; we were raised with Him. We are united with Christ.

Isaiah said He engraved us on His hands ( Isa 49:16)!

Further, our representative provided a better sacrifice. He did NOT offer sacrifices of animals, but Himself (see Heb 9:11-14; 9:24-26).

Here is the good news for believers: The Father now sees us through our representative. The Father accepted the great high priest’s work, and if you are in Christ, you are accepted just as much as Christ is!

Jesus is HOLIER!

Jesus has a better ANOINTING!

Jesus is our better REPRESENTATIVE!

Fourth, as our great high priest, Jesus is superior in intercession.

The breastpiece was a reminder that the priest interceded for the people. As he took the items for making decisions, it was a reminder of this act. He carried the Israelites concerns to God.

In a greater way, Jesus continues to carry our concerns on His heart. One of the things He is doing now is praying to the Father on our behalf. In contrast to the former priesthood, Jesus’ priesthood is permanent and there is no one else like Him.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

JESUS IS BETTER!

Superior in Holiness!

Superior in Anointing!

Superior in Representation!

and Superior in Intercession…just to name a few!

He is all you need…and all you could ever hope for as a mediator between you and the Father.

IS Christ your high priest this morning? OR are you counting on something else to stand before God on your behalf?

My children can’t count on their daddy to stand before God on their behalf

You can’t count on good works...

NOTHING BUT THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Hebrews 8:1–2 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Since Christ is our High Priest - the church…for those who are in Christ

WE ARE NOW THE KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

THERE ARE SEVERAL LESSONS WE’VE LEARNED THIS MORNING, SOME WILL SURFACE in your own reading this week.

1. Priests are chosen to serve God (Ex 28:1, 3, 31-43; 29:1, 22-31, 44)

2. Priests are chosen to serve the people (Ex. 28:6–30; 39:2–21)

3. Priests are set apart for God (Ex. 29:1–37; 30:22–33)

4. Priests must minister daily (Ex. 29:38–46)

---

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

As God’s Royal Priesthood in Christ, We are chosen to serve the LORD!

…a people for His own possession!

As God’s Royal Priesthood in Christ, We are chosen to serve others!

…proclaiming the excellencies of him who called you…that others may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

As God’s Royal Priesthood in Christ, We are set apart for God!

…abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable

As God’s Royal Priesthood in Christ, We minister daily!

... now you are God’s people / now you have received mercy

… now we live as people who are free...living as servants of God.

BECAUSE OF CHRIST ALONE.

BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE!

YOU AND I HAVE THE INCREDIBLE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING HIM…SERVING OTHERS…BEING SET APART FOR HIM…EACH AND EVERY DAY!

NOT as a ritual to prove anything...

BUT WITH A MIND FILLED WITH HIS WORD

A HEART FULL OF LOVE FOR HIM

AND A LIFE ANIMATED BY HIS SPIRIT

IN THIS KINGDOM OF PRIESTS…CHRIST IS OUR HIGH PRIEST AND WE ARE THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD.