Exodus 28:31-43 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Exodus 28:31-43. Let’s go!
Exodus 28:31-35 (NIV)
31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear.
33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.
34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe.
35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.
On verses 31-35: Here the LORD describes the robe that the priest would wear underneath the two pieces of clothing we looked at in verses 6-30: breastpiece and the ephod. Unlike the breastpiece and ephod which were both multicoloured, the robe was to be a solid blue (v31). The hem of the robe was to have yarn pomegranates (apparently a symbol of abundance in Moses’ time) with gold bells between each pomegranate.
What does verse 35 mean when it says that the sound of the bells will be heard when the priest enters and exists the Holy Place “so that he will not die”? One theory is that you were not to enter or exit the LORD’s presence unannounced, and so the ringing of the bells served as an announcement that the priest was moving, either in or out of the Holy Place.
What can we learn from this? Perhaps one lesson here is that we should never take our ability to be in God’s presence for granted. Just as you could audibly hear the bells every time the priest would move about in the Holy Place, God sees and hears every move we make. As Psalm 139 says about God, “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:3). God is familiar with all of our movements and all of our ways. Were it not for His mercy we would die in His presence.
Exodus 28:36-39 (NIV)
36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.
37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban.
38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.
39 “Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer.
On verses 36-39: These verses describe other garments of the high priest: a tunic of fine linen (v39a) probably worn underneath the robe, an embroidered sash to tie around the robe and inner garments (v39b), and a turban of fine linen with a gold plate showing the words “HOLY TO THE LORD” (v36-38). The gold plate on the high priest’s turban reminds that through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross for us, holy is how God sees us now and holy is what we are.
Exodus 28:40 (NIV)
40 Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them dignity and honor.
On verse 40: Just as the high priest Aaron was to have clothes that gave him dignity and honour (Exodus 28:2), so his sons were to be given clothes that gave them dignity and honor as they served with him. Similarly, it is wonderful that Jesus Christ was arrayed in righteousness, dignity and honour before the Father, and as followers of Jesus who come after Him, we get to be arrayed in similar righteousness, dignity and honour before the Father too.
Exodus 28:41-43 (NIV)
41 After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
42 “Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh.
43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. “This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.
On verses 41-43: Aaron and his sons were to put on all these clothes described in Exodus 28 before they could be anointed, ordained and consecrated as priests (v41) and before they could enter the Holy Place of the tabernacle (v43). It goes to show that in order for us to enter God’s presence, we need to do things God’s way and wear the clothes God commands us to wear. If we think we can enter God’s presence clothed in whatever way we want and not with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we will only incur guilt and die in God’s presence. But if we wear the clothes He commands us to wear – namely, the righteousness of Christ – we can live and minister in God’s presence.
Heavenly Father, the One who is familiar with all my movements, may I never take my ability to be in Your presence for granted. Thank You so much for clothing us with the righteousness of Your Son Jesus Christ so that we can enter, live and serve in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
