Exodus 28-32

Exodus 28

Priestly Garments (v. 1-5)

v. 1 - The priesthood was strictly hereditary. The benefits: 1) priests held no power, there role was strictly to help the community, 2) with it being heredity, there was a reduced chance of corruption entering the religions leadership. No one could buy or force there way into priesthood 3) priests don’t have to worry about popularity because they never had to run to be elected

1 Pet. 2:9, we are a royal priesthood, Rom. 8:16-17- being heirs with Christ is what grants us that royal priesthood

v. 2 - Sacred/holy garments were made for the priests, Aaron and his 4 sons

The priestly garments were only to be worn when the priests were serving in the tabernacle

Priestly Garment

v. 3 - This garment was specially crafted by men God filled with wisdom (see breastplate Ez. 28)

v. 4 - The priestly garments are made of the breastplate, ephod, robe, embroidered coat, turban, and sash

Ephod (v. 6-14)

This was the sleeveless outer garment that covered the priest’s upper body

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 28:6–14

The ephod was probably a sleeveless outer garment that covered the priest’s upper body. Apparently it had two parts, a front and a back, that were fastened on two shoulder pieces with straps (braided chains) of gold with mounted onyx stones (v. 9) and held to the body with a belt at the waist (v. 8). On the two onyx stones were to be engraved the names of Israel’s 12 tribes (6 … on each stone, v. 10) so that as Aaron entered the tabernacle he would bear Israel’s names … before God (v. 12).

v. 9 - the 2 onyx stones on the shoulders signify a weight that is being carried. Like the expression “I have a lot on my shoulders”. Isaiah 9:6 talks about Jesus being born and how the government will rest on His shoulders. Another passage I want look at is Luke 15:5, and in v. 5 where it says “when he has found it, he lays it on his SHOULDERS...”. Ps. 55:22, When we cast our burdens on Jesus, He places them on His shoulders. So when you’re casting your cares onto Him, you’re literally casting yourself onto Jesus because sometimes you are your own burden

Breastplate (v. 15-30)

v. 15 - Also called the breastplate of judgement (MEV). This has 12 precious stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

Because each stone was engraved with the tribes, it serves as a reminder of the priest’s responsibility as the people’s representative

Jesus also serves as our representative as He is our High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator (Heb. 2:17, Heb. 12:4, 1 Tim. 2:5)

Breastplate

Another passage that mentions 9/12 stones is in Ezekiel 28:11-19 .

The King of Tyre (Satan)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 28:11–19

Ezekiel was not describing an ideal man or a false god in verses 11–26. But his switch from “ruler” to “king” and his allusions to the Garden of Eden do imply that the individual being described was more than human. The best explanation is that Ezekiel was describing Satan who was the true “king” of Tyre, the one motivating the human “ruler” of Tyre. Satan was in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1–7), and his chief sin was pride (1 Tim. 3:6). He also had access to God’s presence (cf. Job 1:6–12). Speaking of God’s judging the human “ruler” of Tyre for his pride (Ezek. 28:1–10), the prophet lamented the satanic “king” of Tyre who was also judged for his pride (vv. 11–19). Tyre was motivated by the same sin as Satan, and would suffer the same fate.

v. 12 - Full of wisdom ( filled with the spirit of wisdom) and perfect in beauty

The seal/signet of perfection - A signet is an official seal used to give personal authority to a document in lieu of a signature

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Seals, Mesopotamian

SEALS, MESOPOTAMIAN. Seals take two forms in Mesopotamia: stamp and cylinder. The earliest seals are small geometric pieces of stone, bone, or fired clay, one surface engraved with a design and a back by which it can be handled (Buchanan 1984). Cylinder seals are short tubes (avg. 20 mm) of stone drilled through the center and engraved around their circumference. Both stamps and cylinders are engraved in intaglio to produce a positive impression when rolled or stamped on a receptive surface. Seals may bear either design or inscription or both. Designs include scenes of everyday life, warfare, sport, gods, legends, myth, and ritual activities. Such scenes provide information on activities poorly recorded in texts or archaeological deposits as well as evidence of a monumental art no longer extant (Amiet 1973). Seal inscriptions most commonly refer to the owner’s name, but also may include his patronymic, office or profession, political allegiance, and/or religious affiliation (Gelb 1977). Thus seal inscriptions are excellent sources of information on onomastics, administrative hierarchies, political history, and religious preferences. Seal impressions on clay documents or their envelopes both protected the integrity of the contents and served to identify the sealer as author, witness, agent, buyer, or seller, depending on the contents and purpose of the text (Leemans 1982).

So before Satan’s fall, he was not simply perfect, but the embodiment of perfection

v. 13 - In the Garden of Eden, covered with the precious stones (He had a breastplate and an ephod as seen in Ex. 28:11 the 2 onyx stones were engraved “like the engravings of a signet”)

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Seals, Mesopotamian

The earliest seals are small geometric pieces of stone, bone, or fired clay, one surface engraved with a design and a back by which it can be handled

9 stones were crafted in gold ( just like the ephod) - These stones symbolized Satan’s beauty and high position

Book called Birthright by Timothy Alberino - talked about how these 9 stones could also represent the 9 planets (old notes). I talked about this a while back when we first started Bible Recap

v. 14 - an anointed guardian cherub

Just like the priests vs the children of Israel, no angel could just approach kind any kind of way. The cherubim were the “inner circle” of heavenly beings who had the closest access to God and guarded His holiness. This can be seen illustrated by the ark of the covenant with the 2 cherubim surrounding the mercy seat. Can also be seen in Ezekiel 10:1-14.

v. 14 - he was on the holy mountain of God - Satan had free access to God’s holy mountain. Similar to Moses who was given permission to approach God on Mt. Sinai

V. 29-30 - Aaron placed the Urim and Thummin in the breastplate and it was right over Aaron’s heart

Urim means light, Thummim means perfections

Representation of Aaron bearing the judgment of the children of Israel, just like Jesus bore our sins when He died on the cross for us except it was for the whole world and not just Israel

Urim, Thummin

These were stones cast like lots to determine God’s will (Num. 27:21, 1 Sam. 14:37-41, 1 Sam. 28:6, Ezra 2:63, Neh. 7:65)

The use of the Urim and Thummin were discontinued after the time of King David and replaced with prophets as the chief means of knowing God’s will

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (28:29–30)

Another purpose is indicated in the Urim and the Thummim, which were the means by which the priests made decisions for the Israelites (cf. v. 15). The breastpiece was “folded double” (v. 16) to form a kind of pocket for the Urim and Thummim. The “Urim” and “Thummim,” which mean “lights” and “perfections,” are referred to in Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 30:7–8 (the “ephod” suggests the Urim and Thummim); Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65. They were means of seeking from God through the priest answers to questions and crises beyond human perception.Apparently the Urim and Thummim were two stones. How they were used in determining God’s will is unknown, but some suggest the Urim represented a negative answer and the Thummim a positive answer. Perhaps this view is indicated by the fact that Urim (’ûrîm) begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and Thummim (tūmmîm) with the last letter. Others suggest that the objects simply symbolized the high priest’s authority to inquire of God, or the assurance that the priest would receive enlightenment (“lights”) and perfect knowledge (“perfections”) from God.

Other Priestly Garments (v. 31-43)

The robes were completely blue and on the hems were gold bells

Old Testament 28:1-43: The Priests’ Garments

They reminded the priest to perform his duties exactly according to the law and indicated to the people that he was within the holy precinct.

Not the same as the hem of Jesus’ garment (https://endofthematter.com/2015/10/why-is-there-healing-in-the-hem-of-jesus-garment/ )

The purpose was so that the priest could be heard going in and out of the presence of God so he didn’t die

The turban had an engraved plate on the front of it that said HOLY TO THE LORD

They also wore tunics

Exodus 29

Consecration of the Priests (v. 1-37)

Before approaching God, the priests had to be consecrated (means to set apart)

v. 1 - the sacrifices had to be w/o blemish - in not having this stipulation, people may have brought whatever they wanted that didn’t cost much, cheapening the concept of sacrifice

v. 7 - Usually the anointing oil was sprinkled, but in the case of the High Priest, it was poured out onto his head ( Lev. 8:12)

The word “Messiah” from the Hebrew word Mashiach literally means anointed

So when Jesus was baptized (Matt. 3:16, Luke 3:22, John 1:32-33) immediately the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Him. Could be seen as the Spirit being poured out onto Him so this was Jesus being consecrated for his ministry

v. 35 - a 7 day ritual. The use of the number 7 suggests the initiation of the priests involves the creation of something new (correlates to creation of the world)

Daily Offerings (v. 38-46)

They had to sacrifice 2 lambs daily (AM, PM)

v. 20 - They anointed their right ear, hand, and foot

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 29:15–21

The third animal to be sacrificed was the other ram. Its blood was placed on the right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes of Aaron and his sons, signifying that they were cleansed and dedicated to God. Blood on the ear may have symbolized dedication to the hearing of God’s Word, blood on the thumb may have pictured holiness in doing God’s work, and blood on the toe may have spoken of walking carefully in the service of God. The rest of the blood of the second ram was sprinkled on the altar … sides and on the priests and their garments with anointing oil.

This practice is no longer needed as Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb

v. 39-41 - Jesus was the lamb, his body the bread, his blood the wine

Exodus 30

Altar of Incense (v.1-10)

v. 7 - Involved all 5 senses - 1) The priests smelled the incense, 2) tasted the sacrificial offering, 3) felt the sacrificial blood on their hands, 4) saw the light of the menorah, 5) heard the bells on the clothes

The purpose of the incense could be to block out the unpleasant odors that came from the sacrifices

The incense could also represent God’s invisible, active presence. It was in a cloud of incense that God appeared before the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year

Atonement Money /Census Tax (v. 11-16)

v. 12 - each man was to pay a ransom for his life to the Lord.

Jesus has paid the ransom for us 1 Pet. 1:18-20.

v. 14 - 20 was the minimum age for military service

v. 15 - With this rule, the Tabernacle belonged to each Israelite equally regardless of wealth or social status. The rich could not make a large contribution and be regarded as having played more of a role in the maintenance of the Tabernacle

Mark 12:41-44, Jesus illustrates this principle using the widow as an example

Bronze Basin (v. 17-21)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 30:17–21

When officiating in the tent or before the altar the priests were required to wash their hands and feet. If they failed to do so they would die. This too was to be a lasting ordinance (see comments on 12:14).

The laver symbolized the need for purity through cleansing from defilement. Thus while there was ritual cleansing at the altar, the priests also needed cleansing from actual defilement. The altar speaks of salvation through a sin offering; the basin speaks of sanctification which is progressive and continual.

Anointing Oil (v. 22-33)

Made up of myrrh, cinnamon, cane, cassia, olive oil

Incense (v. 34-38)

v. 38- Both the oil and incense were sacred (holy), therefore it was not allowed to be made outside of being used for ritual worship. The punishment was being “cast out from his people”

Exodus 31

Tabernacle Artisans (v. 1-10)

Bezalel the son of Uri - v. 3 Filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in everything that dealt with craftsmanship

We all have spiritual giftings to be used for God’s glory

In the building of the Tabernacle, the normal building process was reversed. The artisan was hired AFTER God gave specific instructions on how to build the Tabernacle. The artist in this case is not the source of the creative vision, but rather a vehicle in implementing the vision of the Creator

Bezalel means “in the shadow of God” - Artists should see themselves as working in the shadow of God (Psa. 91:1)

Sabbath Law (v. 12-18)

v.13 - Following the Sabbath, was more important than building the Tabernacle. The Sabbath is the first thing that God designates as holy in Gen. 2:3.

v. 14 - The punishment was death for not following the Sabbath

The only death recorded was in Num. 15:32-36.

It’s the only ritual observance in the 10 commandments

Jesus was Lord over the Sabbath (Matt. 12:3-8)

Exodus 32

Golden Calf (v. 1-35)

The Israelites broke the first 2 commandments before Moses made it down the mountain

v. 1 - “Come make us gods” (MEV). This word in Hebrew kum literally means “Get up.” Implying impatience and disrespect

They didn’t realize that what ever human beings make has less power than them

v. 4 - This is your god. The speaker here is implying they were addressing the Israelites as outsiders for worshiping a pagan god

v. 12-13 - Moses reminded God of His promises. Sometimes we are too quick to dismiss God’s promises. it’s not that God forgets, it’s that we stopped believing in them

v. 7 - “The Lord spoke to Moses, Go down, for your people...” - God almost always refers to the Israelites as “My people”, but in this moment He clearly refers to them as “your [Moses’s] people” The covenant is clear: the Israelites are God’s people only if He is their God.

v. 17 - Joshua was neither with Moses or involved in the Golden Calf proceedings

v. 19-20 - Moses broke the stone tablets, then made the Israelites drink the idol they made

v. 21 - Moses addressing Aaron shows an important lesson, a leader is deemed responsible for what happens under his leadership

v. 22 - Aaron blaming the people

Also probably terrified of his brother who just destroyed something made by God; he can only wonder what Moses might do to him

v. 24 - Aaron tries to say that the calf just “came out” of the fire as if he didn’t form it himself

v. 25-29 - The first punishment, the Levites killed the Israelites that sinned or the leading offenders

v. 34 - “In the day when I punish” People think they can get away with things because God doesn’t punish them right away.

References

Prager, Dennis. (2018). The Rational Bible. Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom