Aaron Made an Idol in the Shape of a Calf
32: 1-6

Aaron made an idol in the shape of a calf DIG: How long had Moses been up on Mount Sinai? What was the attitude of the people toward him? Where do you think the former slaves got their gold earrings? Why did they say gods, plural? Who led the Israelites out of Egypt? What did Moses see when he came down carrying the Ten Commandments?

REFLECT: What is the golden calf in your life? What is standing between you and God? Spouse? Children? Parents? Computer? Sports? Music? God doesn’t want anything between Him and you! Has service for the King, replaced the King in your life?

While Moses was experiencing intimate fellowship on the top of Mount Sinai with God, the people were rebelling at the foot of the mountain with Aaron. One gets the impression, from these verses, that the people had decided among themselves that Moses had abandoned them, had been killed, or that his behavior did not serve their needs or desires. In light of this, they decided to take matters into their own hands.⁶⁵⁸

The people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain. The word for so long comes from a verb that normally means to be ashamed. It may mean that the people had been put to shame, because they felt Moses had left them and had not returned. So the people gathered around Aaron. The use of the verb gathered, with the preposition around often conveys a sinister intent; these people were rebellious in spirit (see Numbers 16:3, 42, 20:2 for other examples of the same construction). The demand that they made of Aaron was menacing: Come make us gods who will go before us. They needed a visible, tangible object to follow. Right away they lapsed into idolatry.⁶⁵⁹ As for this fellow Moses who brought us up into Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him (32:1). The rabbis teach that Satan caused the Israelites to see a bier, or a table on which a casket or corpse is placed, passing across the skies on which a figure resembling Moses, which confirmed their conclusion that he was dead. It was very strange that after seeing all the miracles of the ten plagues, that they had those kinds of thoughts. They had already forgotten that it wasn’t Moses who parted the Red Sea.

You would think Aaron, who was the high priest, would try to stop them. Unfortunately, he had already forgotten what the Torah said: Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong (23:2). He went along with them and said: Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me. This was probably the plunder they acquired from the Egyptians on the day of the exodus (12:35-36). So all the people took off their earrings, which may have been part of the plunder from Egypt, and brought them to Aaron (32:2-3). Both Stephen (Acts 7:39-41) and Paul (First Corinthians 10:6-7) remembered Aaron’s sinful submission to the wishes of the crowd as an example of willful disobedience.

He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf. The calf was probably intended to represent one or more of the visible forms of the Egyptian bull-god Apis (to see link click Bo – The LORD Will Bring a Terrible Plague on Your Livestock in the Field), fashioning it with a tool. Then they said: These are your gods, O Isra’el, who brought you up out of Egypt (32:4). Worse still, they blasphemed God’s name by claiming that neither God nor Moses had brought them up out of Egypt but that the calf had done so.⁶⁶⁰ The plural word gods may be confusing, because there was only one bull-calf made. This may actually be a reflection of syncretism, or the thought that all paths lead to God, in which the calf was seen as being in partnership with God. It was obvious that Isra’el had failed to learn the lesson of the ten plagues of Egypt. They failed to learn the lesson of the uselessness of idolatry and that failure to learn it, had corrupted their faith. Therefore, they refused to obey Moses. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt (Acts 7:39). They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped an idol that ate grass rather than the Creator of the universe (Romans 1:25).

King Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Isra’el, made the same mistake. He also made two golden calves and uttered the same words to the people: Here are your gods, O Isra’el, who brought you up out of Egypt (First Kings 12:28b). And throughout Isra’el’s history there will always be that dichotomy, the constant threat of a new religion (like Ba’al), or the corruption of the true religion (like worshiping the golden calf).

Not only did Aaron build the golden calf, but he also built an altar and put it in front of the people. When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced: Tomorrow there will be a festival to God (32:5). The fact that the Jews were engaged in syncretism is confirmed by Aaron’s proclamation that the next day would be a festival to ADONAI. The Hebrews were falling prey to polytheism, and in doing so had violated the first two commandments of the Torah that God had given them. They didn’t realize that instead of all paths leading to God, God would travel any path to get to them.

So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented peace offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry (32:6). These were the very same offerings that ADONAI had commanded the Jewish people bring Him on an altar of earth earlier (20:24). This is another confirmation that some form of syncretism was taking place at the foot of Mount Sinai. The Psalmist described it like this: At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull that eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. So He said He would destroy them – had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them (Psalm 106:19-23).

It was not surprising that after they sacrificed offerings to Aaron’s calf, the people began to indulge in pagan revelry, which violated the seventh commandment (20:14). Throughout biblical times idolatry was frequently carried on in connection with all kinds of immorality (Galatians 5:19-21; First Peter 4:3).⁶⁶⁰ Basically, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai he saw an orgy.

Isra’el has served false gods in Egypt (Joshua 24:14), and their flesh was unchanged. It was true that God had made redemption possible for them. But sadly, most were still a perverse generation without faith (Deuteronomy 32:20). So when reading their history we must never forget that we should flee sexual immorality (First Corinthians 10:8a and 14). So, to, John would say: Little children, keep yourself from idols. May God grant us the wisdom to heed his solemn warnings. There is only one way of escape, be constantly occupied with Jesus Christ.

Today we need to learn this lesson. Moses was away from Isra’el, up the mountain; Messiah is away from the earth, seated at the right hand of the Father. But before He went away He said to His disciples: Trust in God; trust in Me also (John 14:1). He is the object of our faith, and it is only as our affections are set upon Him, as we are in daily communication with Him, that our hearts are kept from idols. But just as surely as Isra’el’s turning away from God was at once followed by the making of the gold calf, and just as surely as believers have lost their first love (Revelation 2:4), so today, divorcing our hearts from Messiah opens the door to the sin of idolatry.⁶⁶¹ Stay close to Him.

The Golden Calf Incident
31:1 to 34:35

Effective leadership is characterized by two things: first, the knowledge of where one is going and second, the ability to encourage others to go with him. Moses had already demonstrated the ability to lead the people of Isra’el. Their journey from the land of Egypt did not take them northeast into Canaan, but southward through the deserts of the Sinai Peninsula. The reason for this southern journey becomes more apparent as one studies the chapters of the book of Exodus. The Israelites obviously were not ready to encounter the challenges and temptations of the land of Canaan. They needed to be prepared, both politically and spiritually, for the difficulties they would face in possessing the Promised Land. Among the problems that they would face in the Land would be the temptation of idolatry. They had worshiped false gods while they were in Egypt (Joshua 24:14), and they lacked faith. In anticipation of this, God had provided them with a series of miracles to demonstrate the impotence and emptiness of idolatry. These miracles also helped bring about the deliverance of Isra’el. But these lessons were quickly forgotten.

Chapter 32 records one of the darkest moments in Isra’el’s history up to that point. Rather than witnessing increased dedication and spiritual renewal as a result of the LORD’s revelation of the Torah and the Tabernacle, we find the people of Isra’el thoroughly impatient with the activities of their leader Moses. This impatience, along with their spiritual immaturity, led them to open idolatry and rebellion. The descent into idolatry was subtle. It is a prime example of syncretism, or the process by which ideas from one religious system are intermingled with those from another. These chapters do not record the total abandonment of the worship of ADONAI; however, they do illustrate that subtle process by which idolatrous practices seeped into the worship of the God of Isra’el.⁶⁵⁷

In future generations, the Israelites would not take responsibility for their sin here. The rabbis teach that converts from Egyptian paganism caused the sin of the Golden Calf incident (Exodus Rabba 42:6). But not content with that, they also insist that Satan, the Adversary, stirred up turmoil in the camp of Isra’el by casting doubt on the return of Moses from Mount Sinai (Tractate Shabbat 89a).

The Renewal of the Nation of Isra’el
32:1 to 34:35 and 39:32 to 40:48

The second half of the book of Exodus is made up of three sections. To make things easier to understand, we have arranged the material thematically. First, we dealt with the Tabernacle (25:1 to 27:21, 30:1 to 31:18 and finally 35:1 to 38:31). Then, we studied the Priesthood (28:1 to 29:46 and 39:1-3). Finally, we will learn about Israel’s first major violation (there is much more to come, just read the Prophets) of God’s covenant at Mount Sinai and about what happened as a result (32:1 to 34:35). The book of Exodus then ends with a majestic description of how the finished Tabernacle was dedicated (39:32 to 40:38). Since both the golden calf incident and the dedication of the Tabernacle fall under the general heading of renewal, we have grouped them together to form the final part of this devotional commentary. We hope the way the book has been organized has been helpful to your understanding.

The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16:1-34 and 23:26-32, Numbers 29:7-11

The Day of Atonement DIG: What does atonement mean? Why did the high priest have to make atonement for himself and the people before entering the Most Holy Place? What was the need for two goats? How does the modern Jewish practice differ from the biblical practice? What does the Day of Atonement have to do with the Great Tribulation? What are the messianic implications of the Day of Atonement?

REFLECT: How do you handle your problems when things go wrong? Do you have a favorite scapegoat? Do you blame God? Do you consider your problems a product of a fallen world? Or do you consider them the result of a wrong relationship with Him? How do you think God would like to help you resolve your problems? If He told you would you be willing to listen? Why or why not?

The meaning of atonement is not a literal translation from the Hebrew, but is a theological concept. The Hebrew word actually means covering. So to atone for means to cover. On the basis of the one perfect sacrifice of Christ, God covered, or passed over the sins of the faithful that were committed from Adam to Messiah (Romans 3:25). In other words, the righteous of the TaNaKh, were saved by faith in Yeshua of prophecy; whereas, the saints of the B’rit Chadashah are saved by faith in the Jesus of history, who has fulfilled – or will yet fulfill – every prophecy in the TaNaKh concerning Him. It is Jesus Christ, and Him alone, who can save the guilty sinner in any age!

On Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, Isra’el’s sins, until then unconfessed, were covered by the ministry of the high priest, pointing us forward to the ministry of Christ. Throughout the year, day after day, month after month, sacrifices were continually offered on the bronze altar. Yet, God decreed that on that particular day, once a year, atonement should be made for Aaron and his house, for the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle, and for the whole people of Isra’el. That day pointed to the need of a Savior to come.⁶⁵²

Leviticus Chapter 16 is the illustrated truth of Leviticus 17:11, where it states that it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. ADONAI spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached Him. The ceremony on the Day of Atonement can be divided into seven sections.

First, the Most Holy Place: God’s message came after the death of the two sons of Aaron that is recorded in Leviticus 10:1-7. They died because they approached God in an improper manner. Thus, the lesson learned was that when one approached God it was to be done in a specific way and failure to do so would result in death. It is not true that all paths lead to heaven. God is the One who decides the means by which one can approach Him and here He spells it out. ADONAI said to Moses His servant: Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the inner veil, or else he will die, because I will appear in the Sh’khinah glory over the mercy seat. The Most Holy Place could only be entered one day of the year, and that was the Day of Atonement, and even then only by the high priest (Leviticus 16:1-2).

Secondly, the Preparation: This is how Aaron was to enter the Sanctuary area, first, he was to slaughter a young bull for his unintentional sin. Secondly, on this special occasion, his burnt offering was increased by adding a young bull, a ram, and seven male lambs, in addition to the new moon offerings (Numbers 28: 11-15, 29:7-10). Thirdly, he needed to bathe himself with water before he put on the proper clothing necessary for entering the Most Holy Place. Fourthly, he put on the sacred white linen tunic, with white linen undergarments next to his body; he was to tie the white linen sash around his waist and put on the white linen turban. The fact that he was dressed only in white pointed to the purity that was needed to approach God. Once again, no shoes were mentioned (16:3-5).

Thirdly, a Summary Statement of the Ceremony: Aaron offered the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. Then he presented the sacrifices for the people. He took the two goats and presented them before God at the gate of the Tabernacle. By the use of the Urim and the Thummim (to see link click Gb – The Urim and Thummin: The Means of Making Decisions), lots were cast for the two goats – one lot for ADONAI and the other for the scapegoat. The goat for ADONAI was the sin offering and the scapegoat was for Azazel, which means removal. In other words, the scapegoat was for the removal of sin. Both goats were presented alive before God. After the first goat was slaughtered for a sin offering, the other was sent into the wilderness. The picture was: after the shedding of blood, came the removal of Isra’el’s sins (16:6-10).

Fourthly, the Atonement for the High Priest: Aaron slaughtered the young bull for his own sin offering. It was to make atonement for himself and his family. Then burning coals were removed from the bronze altar in the Tabernacle courtyard and taken inside the Holy Pace. He took a censer full of burning coals from the altar of incense and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and took them behind the inner veil. The burning censer caused the smoke to conceal the mercy seat and kept the high priest alive. Then some of the bull’s blood was sprinkled seven times over the mercy seat (16:11-14). That was the first time the high priest entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. By Jesus’ day, no one ever spoke God’s name except the high priest, at this time, on this day.

Fifthly, the Atonement for the People: The atonement for the people consisted of two goats. The first goat, the goat for ADONAI, was slaughtered for the sin offering. Its blood was brought into the Most Holy Place and sprinkled on the mercy seat. That was the second time the high priest entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. The atonement was made because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins had been. No one was to enter the Sanctuary until the atonement had been made for the high priest and the whole nation of Isra’el. Then he came out of the Sanctuary and went out to the bronze altar and made atonement. The blood of the bull made atonement for the high priest, and the blood of the goat made atonement for the people. The blood of both was put on the horns of the bronze altar and sprinkled seven times around it’s base to cleanse it and to set it apart from the uncleanness of the Israelites (16:15-19).

Having done all of that with the blood of the first goat, the high priest came to the second goat known as the scapegoat, the goat for Azazel, or removal. He laid both his hands on the head of the scapegoat and confessed all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put them on the goat’s head. The scapegoat took on the sins of the people and was a substitute for them. The goat was then taken away by another man and driven out into the desert. The point should not be missed that only with the shedding of the blood of the first goat could the scapegoat remove the sins of the nation. Blood needed to be shed for atonement to be made (16:20-22).

As written in the Talmud, Tractate Yoma 39b states two Jewish stories concerning the scapegoat. I mentioned earlier that two goats were presented before the high priest and lots were cast to decide which goat would die and which would be the scapegoat. The Jewish legend states that for centuries the lot always fell on the goat to the right, which emphasized good fortune. But as of 30 AD, the lot always fell on the goat to the left, which emphasized bad fortune. So even the rabbis recognized that something unique was happening at that time. But unfortunately they never drew the right conclusion. They never realized that the Messiah had died and the final sacrifice for sin was made and so the goat was no longer acceptable.

There is another Jewish story concerning the two goats known as the story of Azazel. Based upon Isaiah 1:18 where Isaiah stated that though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, it became a Jewish custom to tie a scarlet ribbon around the neck of the scapegoat. As the scapegoat was sent out into the desert, the scarlet ribbon would miraculously turn white, symbolizing that God had forgiven Isra’el’s sins for the next year. The same Jewish legend states that the scarlet ribbon stopped turning white forty years before the Temple was destroyed. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Forty years earlier was 30 AD, the year of the crucifixion; the year of the final sacrifice for sin. Again, what the rabbis failed to conclude from this legend is the reason why the scarlet ribbon stopped turning white. The reason why God was no longer forgiving the sins of Isra’el by means of the two goats is given in Hebrews 10:18: Where sins and lawless acts have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice necessary for sin.

Sixthly, the Cleansing of the Participants: Then the blood stained white linen garments that the high priest had worn were taken off in the Holy Place. He bathed there before putting on his regular garments. Then he came back out to the bronze altar and sacrificed the burnt offering for himself and for the people. The fat was then burned on the altar. The man who released the scapegoat, then washed himself and his clothing before returning to the camp. The remains of the bull and the first goat were taken outside the camp and burned. The man who did the burning had to bathe himself and wash his clothing before returning to the camp (16:23-28).

Lastly, the Institution of the Day of Atonement: ADONAI decreed that it would be an annual celebration wherever they lived. On the tenth day of the seventh month they denied themselves and did not do any work, because on that day atonement would be made for them and they were cleansed from all their sins. It was considered a Sabbath day of rest, and they were to deny themselves spiritually. The responsibility of the high priest was two fold. First, he was to put on the sacred linen garments, and secondly, he was to make atonement for five things: the Tabernacle, the Sanctuary, the bronze altar, himself and for all Isra’el (Leviticus 16:29-34 and 26:32). We may conclude, then, that the approach to ADONAI has always been limited, and it was never true that there are many ways to God. There has always been one way. Under the Torah, that one way was by means of the Day of Atonement sacrifice. Today, it is by the final sacrifice, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.⁶⁵³

The Modern Jewish Practice: Today there are three different Jewish names for the Day of Atonement. The first is Yom Kippur, which means the Day of Atonement. The second is Shabbat Shabbaton, which means the Sabbath of Sabbaths. It is the most holy of all the days of rest, and all the obligations of the Sabbath apply to that day also. The third designation is Yom Hakippurim, which means the Day of Atonements. This is a plural form, because in Jewish theology atonement is made for the dead as well as the living. This is one of the reasons why a special prayer of remembrance for the dead is made on that day.

Concerning the Day of Atonement, the basic principle in modern Judaism is that man, on his own, can atone for his own sins and have established certain substitutions for the biblical practice.

Most Jews today do not sacrifice anything. They have substituted prayer, repentance and charity for sacrifice. The Day of Atonement is looked upon as a day of preparation for the joy of the next holy season, the Feast of Tabernacles. So in preparation, among very orthodox Jews, there is the sacrifice of a chicken. For a male, a rooster is offered, and for a female, a hen is offered. There is a special Hebrew prayer recited at the killing of the chicken that states, “This is my substitute. This is my exchange. This is my atonement. This fowl will go to its death, and I shall enter a good and long life of peace.” Today the very orthodox Jews in New York are under attack from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for killing these animals. No, I am not kidding.

The Jewish concept of this day is that it is a day of judgment. The rabbis teach that on this day there is the weighing in heaven of good deeds and bad deeds in order to determine whether one is going to be inscribed for a good year or not. Which is, of course, works righteousness. We cannot, nor has anyone ever been able to, work our way into heaven (Romans 3:22).

So what sins are atoned for on the Day of Atonement? According to Judaism, sins between God and man are atoned on that day, but sins between man and man are not forgiven on the Day of Atonement until the offender has appeased the offender. A famous rabbi once said as he was commenting on Psalm 51, “He who repents is regarded by ADONAI as if he went up to Jerusalem and offered sacrifices to Him.”

On a normal day there are three Jewish services. The first is known as the Shacharit, which is the morning service. Second is the Mincha, which is the afternoon service. Third, there is the Maariv, which is the evening service. On the Sabbath day, however, there is a fourth one added that is known as the Musaf, which means the additional service. On the Day of Atonement there is a fifth service added known as the Neilah, which means the concluding service. The Book of Jonah is read on the Day of Atonement to teach that one cannot run away from God, and with repentance, He will forgive even as He forgave the sins of Nineveh.

Therefore, the Day of Atonement in modern Judaism is not so much atoning for the sins of the past year, as it is self-denial of the body. The affliction, according to the rabbis, is five forms of self-denial on the Day of Atonement. First, they are to abstain from eating and drinking in order to enhance spirituality. Secondly, they are to refrain from washing and bathing for these things cause comfort, and they are not to feel comfortable on that day. Thirdly, they are to refrain from anointing. In those days people were anointed with oil and this was a refresher. Today this prohibition includes hand and facial creams for the same reason. Fourthly, no leather shoes or sandals are to be worn. The rabbis teach that the whole earth is holy ground and therefore shoes of rubber or canvas must be worn so that the ground many be felt. The last denial prohibits any sexual relations with a spouse.

There are several modern Jewish customs surrounding the Day of Atonement. It is the climax of a forty-day period of self-examination, for it included the thirty days of the previous month plus the first ten-day of the current month, since Yom Kippur always falls on the tenth of the month.

The rabbis teach that on this day Moses brought down the second set of the Ten Commandments and announced the good news that God had forgiven their sin of worshipping the golden calf.

Jewish people fast during the Day of Atonement. However, they do eat a meal before fasting, consisting of challah or egg bread decorated with birds because man is compared with winged angels. It is supposed to express a hope that their prayers will fly to heaven with ease on this day. The twenty-four hour fast is broken by eating salty herring, thus causing them to drink more than normal and restoring their body fluids faster.

The preparations for Yom Kippur actually begin on the day before. On that day several things happen. First, a chicken is sacrificed by those very Orthodox Jews who still sacrifice on this occasion. Secondly, assistance is given to the poor. Thirdly, Jews try to be reconciled with those they have offended. Fourthly, there are immersions, or ritual baths, for the purpose of symbolizing the purification in preparation for the repentance to come. Fifthly, there was a time when they lashed themselves with forty lashes in the synagogue in order to afflict the body even further. And lastly, there is confession, which is recited three times before the meal, after the meal, and after nightfall on the day before Yom Kippur. Once you really understand the biblical Day of Atonement from Leviticus 16, it is striking to notice how little of what goes on today by the Jews has anything to do with the Bible.⁶⁵⁴

The Future Affliction of the Great Tribulation: During this study it has been pointed out that modern Judaism teaches the affliction of the body, though in the Scriptures it was affliction of the soul. God, however, is going to bring both afflictions with the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement. The Passover was fulfilled by the death of Christ. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by the sinlessness of His bloody offering. The Feast of Firstfruits was fulfilled by the resurrection of Yeshua. The Feast of Weeks was fulfilled by the birthday of the Church. The first cycle of feasts was fulfilled with Christ’s First Coming. Then between the first cycle and the second cycle there is a four-month interval that is symbolic of the Age of the New Covenant that interrupts the program of the feasts of Isra’el. Then comes the second cycle of holy festivals. The Feast of Trumpets will be fulfilled by the Rapture of the Church, and the Day of Atonement will be fulfilled by the Great Tribulation.⁶⁵⁵

The Messianic Implications in the book of Hebrews: The background of what the book of Hebrews has to say about the Day of Atonement is largely based on Psalm 100:4. ADONAI has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” In relation to the Day of Atonement, Jesus is a superior priest in five areas. First, as to position, Jesus functions in Heaven and not on earth (Hebrews 4:14-16). Secondly, as to the priestly order, Jesus is after the Order of Melchizedek and not the Order of Aaron, or the Levitical order (Hebrews 5:1 to 7:28). Thirdly, as to covenant, the priesthood of Jesus is based upon the eternal New Covenant and not on the temporary Mosaic Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-13). Fourthly, as to sanctuary, the sanctuary where Jesus offered His blood was the heavenly one and not the earthly sanctuary that was merely a replica of the Heavenly one (Hebrews 9:1-10). Fifthly, as to sacrifice, it is better blood because it is Christ’s blood and not the blood of animals (Hebrews 9:11 to 10:18).⁶⁵⁶

I Will Dwell Among the Israelites and Be Their God
29: 42b-46

I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God DIG: Why was the burnt offering so important to Israelite worship? What was the ultimate purpose of the exodus? What does Immanuel mean? How was the Immanuel principle foreshadowed here in the book of Exodus?

REFLECT: Can God dwell with you while you are in the world? Where is your citizenship? Earth or heaven (Philippians 3:20)? Why does it matter? Is Immanuel with you today? How can you tell?

For Aaron and his sons, dedication led immediately to service. The priests were to officiate daily at the bronze altar by sacrificing to God two burnt offerings – one in the morning and the other at twilight (29:38-42a). ADONAI Himself promised to meet with and speak with His people on every such occasion.⁶⁵⁰ He said: There I will meet with you and speak to you (29:42b-43). The burnt offering was the heart of the Israelite worship, and the priesthood existed to mediate between God and His people.

It was ADONAI’s intention to dedicate Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests, to dwell among the Israelites and be their God. The Ark of the Covenant was where the Sh’khinah glory, or the visible manifestation of God’s presence, dwelt. God’s ultimate desire was that the Israelites would know that He was ADONAI their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that He might have a personal relationship with them and dwell among them (29:44-46). The final three verses here are a fitting end to the topic at hand. The writer ties together the Tabernacle and the priesthood with the exodus itself. The Tabernacle and the priests had been dedicated, and God was able to dwell with His people. Now they could look back at what God had done in bringing them out of Egypt. In that way, they would know, without any shadow of a doubt, that ADONAI was their God. We must always keep in mind that the purpose of the exodus was not simply to free the slaves. It was to bring God’s people into a covenant relationship with Him through the Torah, the Tabernacle and the priesthood.⁶⁵¹

Isaiah prophesied that the virgin would be with child and would give birth to a son, who would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus fulfilled that prophecy when Matthew wrote: The virgin will be will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). It was in that way that the Word became flesh and dwelt, or tabernacled, for a while among us. The Word was with God, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son. And the Word was God, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1 and 14). Thus, the purpose of the Tabernacle was to be fulfilled in the visible presence of the God-man, Yeshua Messiah.

The Priests Begin Their Ministry
Leviticus 9: 1-24

The priests begin their ministry DIG: What function is served by the various offerings in this service? Why do you think the sacrifice for Aaron’s sin was made before the sacrifice for the people’s sin? What is the significance of the fiery grand finale? What does that say about Aaron’s role in the process of restoring the people to a right relationship with God?

REFLECT: Do you think you can be your own high priest, offering sacrifices and dispensing with your pastor all together? Why or why not? Hebrews 7:11-28 tells us that Jesus is now our High Priest. How does that affect your spiritual journey?

On the eighth day the official priestly ministry began. The rabbis teach that the preceding week of the priestly dedication began on the twenty-third day of the twelfth month so that this eighth day was identical with the first day of the first month mentioned in 40:2 and 17 when the Tabernacle was erected. Up to this time, Moses functioned as the high priest, but now the priesthood will fall to Aaron and his sons. The elders of Isra’el served as witnesses to the inauguration. Moses then functioned as a prophet, because he had not written down the instructions yet. So Aaron immediately began his priestly duties by sacrificing a young bull calf without defect for his sin offering and a ram without defect for his burnt offering (Leviticus 9:1-2). The rabbis teach that because Aaron sacrificed a bull calf, God had forgiven him for the golden calf incident.

When the Tabernacle was erected, each of the twelve tribal leaders brought offerings for the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:10-88). On the first day, every kind of sacrifice was offered except for a guilt offering that was intended for specific offenses, which at this point had not been committed. In addition, on the first day most kinds of animals were sacrificed except for birds, because it did not involve those who were poor. The order of their gifts corresponded exactly with the arrangement of the tribes encamped around the Tabernacle.⁶⁴⁹

First Aaron began his ministry by slaughtering a bull calf for his own sin offering. His sons brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger into the blood and put it on the horns of the bronze altar. In the future, that would normally be done on the altar of incense (Leviticus 4:7). But at this point no one had entered into the holy place and defiled it, so it did not need cleansing. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the bronze altar. On the bronze altar he burned the fat, the kidneys and the covering of the liver from the sin offering, as God commanded. The flesh and the hide were burned up outside the camp. Normally the priests ate the meat of the sin offering, but because this was a special occasion, normal rules did not apply (Leviticus 9:8-11).

Then Aaron slaughtered a burnt offering for himself. His sons handed him the blood, and he sprinkled it against the bronze altar on all sides. They handed him the burnt offering piece by piece, including the head. He washed the inner parts and the legs and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar (Leviticus 9:12-14).

Afterwards there was an offering made for the people. Aaron sacrificed a male goat for a sin offering. That was for their sin nature. Then brought the burnt offering, a calf and a lamb – both a year old and without defect – and offered it in the prescribed way. Then he slaughtered an ox and a ram for a peace offering, and waved the breasts and the right thigh before God as a wave offering. Then a grain offering mixed with oil was offered. He took a handful of the grain offering and burned it on the altar, in addition to the morning’s burnt offering. Aaron and his sons took the sacrifices that Moses commanded to the front of the Tabernacle, and the elders of Isra’el came near and stood before God (Leviticus 9:3-7, 15-21).

The dedication process concludes with the official acceptance by ADONAI. Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people and blessed them. The actual content of the blessing is not stated, but it may have been the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. ADONAI bless you and keep you; ADONAI make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; ADONAI turn His face toward you and give you peace.

And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offering, he stepped down. Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle together. When they came out, the Sh’khinah glory appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of ADONAI and totally consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the bronze altar. On that day, the Sh’khinah glory appeared to authenticate the Levitical priesthood. Always a visible manifestation of the presence of God, that day the invisible God become visible to them. God showed His acceptance of an offering in the same exact dramatic way three more times (Judges 13:15-20; Second Chronicles 7:1-3). And when all the elders of Isra’el saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown (Leviticus 9:22-24).

Whenever you see the people of God near His throne or His presence in the Bible they always fall facedown (Genesis 17:3; Leviticus 9:24; Numbers 20:6; Joshua 5:14; Ezeki’el 1:28, 3:23, 44:4; Revelation 7:11, 11:16). What attitude does that suggest? How should our heart attitude be when we approach the throne of grace? When was the last time that you fell face down in worship of the LORD?

Take the Ram for the Dedication
and Cook the Meat in a Sacred Place
Exodus 29:31-34 and Leviticus 8:31-32

Take the ram for the dedication and cook the meat in a sacred place DIG: Why were the priests the only ones who could eat the meal? Why couldn’t any of the food be eaten the next day? What kind of offering was it? What did the meal symbolize? What meal do believers celebrate today ratifies a New Covenant?

REFLECT: What do you do to dedicate yourself for God’s work, either daily, annually or once-for-all? What part does ritual play in that? Does ritual draw you closer to God, or does it hinder your ability to feel His presence? How? Why?

At the conclusion of the seven-day dedication ceremony, the participants shared a sacrificial meal together. It was a covenant meal and ratified a pact, in this case the Levitical priesthood, in order to celebrate a new relationship between God and His people. Central to this meal was the food that had been sacrificed at the bronze altar.

What was left of the second ram was to be cooked for the priests to eat at the gate of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons ate the sacrificial meal. They ate only the meat of the second ram and the bread that was left over in the basket, the offerings that set them apart at their dedication. But no one else was to eat them, because they were sacred. And if any of the meat of the second ram or any of the bread was left over till morning, it was burned up. It could not be eaten, because it was too sacred to be eaten at other times. This law was the same as the one given at the Passover (12:10).

The second ram was a peace offering (to see link click Fg – The Peace Offering). A blood offering, in this case the ram, always preceded the peace offering, because the basis of peace between mankind and God is always a blood sacrifice. Of the three different types of peace offerings, this was the thanksgiving offering, because it was an expression of thankfulness. Along with the thank offering, cakes of bread made without yeast (to point to sinlessness and purity) were eaten by Aaron and his sons. This meal symbolized their peace with God during the time of the meal. But very shortly, their sin nature would demand another sacrifice.

The Seder in the New Covenant is a meal of celebration. Jesus proclaims that this cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:20 CJB). It is modeled after the Passover meal of the TaNaKh, which was also a covenant meal of celebration. Whenever believers partake in the Seder, they are sharing in such a meal of joy because they are in a New Covenant relationship with Messiah.

John G. Patton, who was a missionary to the cannibals in the New Hebrides in the middle of the nineteenth century, tells the story of the first communion held on one of the islands. He said, “For three years we had worked and prayed for their souls. At the moment when I put the bread and wine into those dark hands, once stained with the blood of cannibalism but now stretched out to receive and partake of the Lord’s love, I had a foretaste of the joy of glory that almost broke my heart into pieces. I don’t think I will ever taste a deeper bliss until I gaze at the glorified face of Yeshua Himself.” May our hearts contain that kind of joy the next time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, the Seder.⁶⁴⁸

Aaron’s Sacred Garments Will Belong to His Descendants
So They Can Also Be Dedicated
29: 29-30

Aaron’s sacred garments will belong to His descendants so they can be ordained DIG: How was succession done in a solemn and yet respectful way? How did anyone know it was time for the transference to take place? How did the people respond?

REFLECT: Do you desire a succession of ministry, lay or professional, in your own family? What would it mean for you to have your children continue on with God’s work in their own unique way? Aaron had four sons, two continued the succession as priests and God killed two because of disobedience. Can you identify with that joy or that sorrow within your own family?

Every time a new high priest was dedicated in the future, he was to wear Aaron’s sacred garments. They were unique to him, and would belong to his descendants so that they could also be anointed and dedicated in them. The son who succeeded him as high priest and came to the Tabernacle to minister in the Holy Place was to wear them for the seven days of the dedication ceremony. The number seven, of course, symbolizes completion. The first dedication service was to set the pattern for all such future services. It was to continue to be seven days in length, and only the high priest was to be given such an elaborate ceremony.⁶⁴⁶

When Aaron was about to die, ADONAI commanded Moses His servant, saying: Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people and he will die there. Moses did as ADONAI commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, and the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Isra’el mourned for him thirty days (Numbers 20:25-29). The transference of the holy clothes was the symbol of the succession of the priesthood.

God not only cared for Isra’el’s immediate existence, He was also concerned for their posterity. Therefore, He gave instructions regarding the succession of the priesthood. Once at a dinner, Queen Victoria asked John Bright, “Where did all these learned men come from?” Bright answered immediately, “They came from babies!” The queen burst into laughter, but she got the point. Learned men do not merely appear, they must be brought up and groomed for the positions they are to fulfill. And that is how God dealt with Isra’el, the future priesthood needed to know the ways of the priesthood and the way of succession.

The same must be true for the Universal Church today, made up of Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). We must be concerned about it and its leadership. We must train men and women well and early for positions of leadership. We must be clear what is to be expected of them. If we do that, then we can pass the Church into capable hands. Let us not only live in the here and now, but in the eternal community of believers.⁶⁴⁷

Take the Other Ram,
and Aaron and His Sons Will Lay Their Hands on Its Head
Exodus 29:19-28 and Leviticus 8:22-30

Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head DIG: Why apply blood to the right ear lobes, the right thumbs and their right big toes? Do you think the dedication process could have taken place without any of that? Why? Why was the second ram sacrificed differently than the first one?

REFLECT: How do you know when you are at peace with God? Who has to surrender? How is that done? What offering have you made to God to have peace with Him?

The third sacrifice was the other ram, or the ram for a peace offering. Once again Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head, symbolically transferring the sins of the priests to the sacrifice. After Moses then slaughtered it, he took some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons (their hearing), on the thumbs of their right hands (their service), and on the big toes of their right feet (their walk), signifying that they were cleansed and purified. Later, priests would follow the same ritual as part of a cleansing ceremony for leprosy (Leviticus 14:14). So this seems to be an act of cleansing and purification. Aaron went first, and only after he was finished were his sons brought to go through the same ritual. That separation underscores the supreme importance of the high priest within the priesthood of Isra’el.⁶⁴² Then Moses sprinkled the blood against the altar on all sides (Exodus 29:19-20; Leviticus 8:22-24).

Moses would later write: The life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life (Leviticus 17:11). The blood that secures atonement symbolizes both propitiation (appeasing God’s wrath) and expiation (forgiving and removing the sins of God’s people). The blood applied to the altar represented God’s acceptance of the priestly sacrifice. Willingness to hear and obey was symbolized by the application of blood to the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons. Putting the blood on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet symbolized readiness and ability to serve (just as cutting off those thumbs and big toes symbolized the effective removal of those qualities as in Judges 1:6-7).⁶⁴³

First, from the ram for the fat, the fat tail, and the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, both kidneys with the fat round them, and the right thigh (Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 8:25). These were to be sacrificed on top of the first ram that had already been burnt on the bronze altar.

Anyone who brought a peace offering was to bring the breast and the right thigh of the sacrifice, and wave them before ADONAI . Therefore, from the basket of bread made without yeast, Moses took a loaf, a cake made with oil, and a wafer, and he put these on the fat portions and on the right thigh. The rabbis teach that Moses then put the right thigh in the hands of Aaron, and then his sons individually, then placed their own hands underneath Aaron’s hands and moved both up and down. Waving it up symbolized giving it to God, and waving it back down symbolized God giving it back to the priest. So both God and Moses were both involved in dedicating the priesthood. Then the sacrifice was all burned on the bronze altar along with the burnt offering of the first ram (Exodus 29:23-25; Lev 8:26-29). Normally, the priests would eat the wave offering, but because of the special dedication ceremony, it was offered back to God on the bronze altar.

Afterwards, Moses took the breast of the second ram waved it before ADONAI to conclude the wave offering. In contrast to the right thigh, the rabbis teach that Moses placed his hands under the breast and moved it forwards toward the bronze altar in a horizontal direction, symbolizing giving it to God, and then backwards symbolizing receiving it back from God as a gift. The breast was his share, because he was the officiating priest. However, God explained to Moses that this would be a unique event. Later, after the dedication ceremony and assuming the full duties of the priesthood, the breast would belong to Aaron, his sons and their families to eat. It would be the contribution the Israelites were to make to ADONAI from their peace offering (Exodus 29:26-28; Leviticus 7:31-34, 10:14; Numbers 18:11-12).

Then completing the ceremony, Moses took some of the oil of dedication and some of the blood from the bronze altar and sprinkled the oil and the blood on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. So he dedicated Aaron and His garments and his sons and their garments (Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 8:30). The sprinkling of blood, and the oil of dedication on Aaron, his sons and their clothes, was the consummate sign of the priesthood. Blood then covered all aspects of the scene; the horns, the sides and base of the bronze altar, the priests’ right ear lobes, thumbs and big toes; and the priests themselves along with their garments. All had been purified and set apart for service to God.

The dedication of the clothing of the priesthood played an interesting role in the later story of the sin of Nadab and Abihu. These two priests, sons of Aaron, came before ADONAI and offered unauthorized fire. They themselves were consumed by fire that came directly from God. Afterward, Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, to remove the rebels’ bodies outside the camp. So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp (Leviticus 10:1-5). Although Nadab and Abihu had been destroyed by fire, their priestly tunics had not been consumed. Although the men were profane, their clothing was not.⁶⁴⁴

It is hard to believe that Isra’el would not have been extremely impressed with the truth that the element of blood was absolutely essential to dedication, purification and atonement. Here the priests were having blood put on their right ear lobes, right thumbs and right big toes, and having it sprinkled on their clothing, and then splattered on the rest of their bodies. In front of them was the bronze altar that was covered with blood – on the top where the horns were, on the sides and all around the base. The entire sacrificial system of Isra’el was bloody. Flavius Josephus, a former Jewish general, turned Jewish writer and Roman citizen of the first century AD, told of one specific Passover during the reign of Nero where the Hebrews offered 256,500 lambs as sacrifices. The blood must have been flowing just about everywhere, and must have been on everything and everyone.

The writer to the Hebrews gets to the heart of the issue when he says: In fact, the Torah requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). But in His mercy, ADONAI graciously sent His Son Jesus Christ to shed His blood for His people. As the writer says: The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:13-14). Thus, we no longer need the bloody priesthood and the bloody sacrifices of the Tabernacle, for the Messiah has come, once for all, to shed His blood for eternal purification and eternal atonement.⁶⁴⁵

Take One of the Rams and
Aaron and His Sons will Slaughter It
Exodus 29:15-18 and Leviticus 8:18-21

Take one of the rams and Aaron and His sons will slaughter it DIG: How was the burnt offering different from the sin offering? Why did they lay their hands on the head of the sacrifice?

REFLECT: Is dedication for all believers, or only for the professional ministry?

The second sacrifice was the first of the two rams for a burnt offering (to see link click Fe – The Burnt Offering), atoning for their unintentional sin. Unlike sacrifices that were consumed by the worshiper and the priests, the burnt offering was to be entirely consumed on the bronze altar.⁶⁴⁰ Once again, Aaron and his four sons laid their hands on its head symbolizing the transference of sin from the men to the sacrifice. These animals were dying a substitutionary death. They were not guilty of the sins of Aaron and his sons. But since the priests were not to die, the animals took their place.

Though they were described very briefly, putting the animal to death was the central and most important act in the sacrificial process. The Hebrew word for altar literally means the place of slaughter, and the location of the bronze altar in the center of the eastern half of the Tabernacle courtyard made it the focus of attention when sacrificial offerings were brought to God. Similarly, the cross became the altar on which Jesus died (Philippians 2:8) for our sins (First Corinthians 15:3), substituting Himself for us just as animals had earlier been substituted by offerings for themselves or others (Genesis 22:13). That the cross is central to the New Covenant proclamation of salvation is clear when Paul said: I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (First Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:14).⁶⁴¹

So the ram was slaughtered and its blood was sprinkled against all four sides of the altar. Then Moses cut the ram into pieces and washed the inner parts, and the legs, and put them with the head and the other pieces. After it was cut up, the entire ram was burned on the bronze altar. It is a burnt offering to ADONAI, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to ADONAI by fire (Exodus 29:15-18; Leviticus 8:18-21).

All who believe in Yeshua Messiah are saved (Acts 16:31), not because of what we have done but, because His blood purifies us from every sin (First John 1:7). Indeed, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world (First John 2:2; Romans 3:25).

Bring a Bull to the Front of the Tabernacle
and Slaughter It There
Exodus 29:10-14 and Leviticus 8:14-17

Bring a bull to the front of the Tabernacle and slaughter it there DIG: What was the difference in the three offerings? Why were they in that order? How did the sacrifice of the bull prefigure Christ’s sacrifice?

REFLECT: Were these rituals mainly for God’s benefit, the priests benefit or the peoples benefit? Why? How do we cleanse ourselves of our sin today (First John 1:9)?

After being washed in the bronze basin, dressed with the sacred garments and anointed with holy oil, the dedication service started. The three types of sacrifices consisted of first, one young bull for a sin offering (which atoned for their sin nature). The second sacrifice was a ram for a burnt offering (which atoned for unintentional sin). And the third sacrifice was a second ram, along with a basket of bread without leaven, cakes without leaven kneaded in oil, and thinner cakes without leaven sprinkled with oil, for a peace offering (which was a communal meal that the worshiper and his family ate before God). In other words, after the sin issue was taken care of, the priest was at peace with God.

First, a bull was brought to the bronze altar for a sin offering, atoning for their sin nature. At three separate times in the dedication service, Moses and his four sons laid their hands on the heads of each of the animals, in each case symbolizing the transfer of sin from the worshiper to the sacrifice (especially see Leviticus 16:21-22). Similarly, Jesus, Yeshua, bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (First Peter 2:24-25). When God the Father laid our sins on God the Son, Isaiah 53:6 was fulfilled, saying: ADONAI has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.⁶³⁸

The bull was the required sin offering for a priest (Leviticus 4:3-12). His sons were to become the first of the common priests, because all priests had to be direct descendants of Aaron. After being slaughtered, the blood of the bull was then put on the four horns of the bronze altar with the finger of Moses, and the rest was poured out at the base of the altar. That purified the bronze altar, because the blood purified that on which it was smeared. It was then ready for sacrificial use (Exodus 29:10-12; Leviticus 8:14-15).

Then all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat around them, was taken and burned on the bronze altar. But the bull’s flesh and its hide and its offal were burned outside the camp. This was a sin offering for both Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:13-14; Leviticus 8:16-17).

Whether as a sin offering or as a burnt offering, certain parts of the slaughtered animal were to be burned. Those that were presented as a burnt offering on the bronze altar are described as emitting a pleasing aroma to ADONAI. Obviously, the burning was not a burning of destruction but of submission into something finer and more acceptable than it was before. Sacrifice involves dedication as atonement.

Jesus’ death freed us from our sins by His blood (Revelation 1:5), but it also represented an act of dedication on His part. Yeshua Messiah gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). Although we ourselves will never be able to die for another person and remove their sins, we can, in response to all that Christ has done for us, offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Such is the very least that we should be willing to give to God’s dear Son, who is at the same time our great High Priest and our Sacrifice (Hebrews 4:14 to 5:10, 6:19 to 7:28, 8:3, 9:1-28, 10:10, 14, 21-22; First Timothy 2:5).⁶³⁹

Take Seven Days to Dedicate Aaron and His Sons
Exodus 29:35-37 and Leviticus 8:33-36

Take seven days to dedicate Aaron and his sons DIG: What parts of the dedication ceremony were seven days long and which were offered daily? Is the dedication to ministry a “once-for-all-time” event or is it a continual process?

REFLECT: What parts of the dedication ceremony listed here would you want included for your dedication into ministry? If your dedication ceremony lasted seven days, what could you see yourself adding that was not included here for the Levites?

The dedication service lasted a total of seven days. Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to dedicate them. The phrase dedicate you for seven days in the Hebrew literally reads, He will fill your hand. It was an idiom that meant investing with an office. They were to be invested with the office of the priesthood. A bull calf was sacrificed each day as a sin offering to make atonement for them. In that way, making atonement for it purified the bronze altar. ADONAI commanded them to stay at the entrance to the Tabernacle day and night for seven days and make atonement for their sins by offering a bull calf on each of the seven successive days. They were limited to one specific area of the Tabernacle compound to avoid any ritual contamination. Do not leave the gate of the Tabernacle for seven days, until the days of your dedication are completed. Then the bronze altar would be most holy, and whatever touched it was holy. Aaron and his sons were obedient and did everything ADONAI commanded through Moses (Exodus 29:35-37; Leviticus 8:33-36).

The concept of holiness jumps out at us as we read this passage. It is important to understand that holiness is not inherent in creation, but comes only from God. He alone is the source of holiness. There is nothing innately holy in the materials of the Tabernacle, or in the cloth or the materials of the priest, or the priesthood itself. They were common things and common people. But what made them different was that they were set apart for the purposes of a holy God.

One of the primary names for the righteous of the TaNaKh is the holy ones (Deut 33:2-3; Job 5:1; Psalms 16:3, 34:9; Zechariah 14:5). This is also true in the New Covenant, in which the word often translated saint literally means holy one (Romans 1:7; First Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1). Now people in their natural state are common and, indeed, fallen (Genesis 3:1-24). For someone to be called a holy one, the work of God must have taken place in that person’s heart. It is God who changes something, or someone, from common to holy. It is His work, and it is to His glory that He does such things. Do you think that God will allow you to enter His heaven? God is holy, sees every heart and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). A holy heart is what is needed to enter a holy heaven. God wants to give you that holy heart, if willing to love and follow Him as your LORD and Savior. If you merely respect Yeshua as a good person, that is not enough. A heart of love towards God, is needed for God to make you holy. Make a wise choice to follow the ADONAI who loves you so very much! You will never be sorry when you chose to love and to follow God with all your heart!

Dedicate Aaron and His Sons
So They May Serve Me As Priests
Exodus 29:1-9, 30:22-33, 40:9-16 and Leviticus 8:1-13

Dedicate Aaron and his sons so they may serve Me as priests DIG: When was this ceremony held? Why was it important to gather the leaders of the nation, the seventy elders of Isra’el, to witness this dedication ceremony?

REFLECT: Do you think dedication of spiritual leaders is as important for the community of believers today as it was for ancient Isra’el?

After the Tabernacle was completed, Aaron and his sons were dedicated by a series of sacrifices and offerings, an anointing with oil (30:30-33), and the donning of the tunics, headbands and sashes. The entire ceremony is neatly summarized here. The end of this section begins to focus on Aaron’s descendents, not jut his own sons, but in perpetuity: The priesthood was theirs by a lasting ordinance.

Moses functioned as the mediator between ADONAI and the priesthood during the dedication. But after the dedication, Aaron assumed the duties of the high priest. This is what you are to do to set them apart, or dedicate them, so they may serve Me as priests. Take a young bull and two rams without defect. And from fine wheat flour, without yeast, make bread, and cakes mixed with oil. Put them in a basket and present them in it, along with the bull and the two rams. Then gather the leadership of the nation, the seventy elders of Israel who went up on Mount Sinai (24:9-10a), at the gate of the Tabernacle (Exodus 29:1-3; Leviticus 8:2b-4).

The bull and two rams chosen were to be young and without defect. They were to be the best the worshiper had – in the prime of life and showing no visible scars blemishes. Since God never asks His people to do anything that He is unwilling to do Himself, He offered to us His one and only Son, Jesus Christ – in the prime of life and without blemish or defect (First Peter 1:19). Every step in the sacrificial process of the TaNaKh typifies the perfect sacrifice of Christ Himself.⁶³⁷

Then Moses said to the leadership of the nation: This is what God has commanded to be done. In other words, he did not pick Aaron as the high priest because he was his brother. He was merely dedicating the one whom God had already chosen. Then Moses, as mediator, brought Aaron and his four sons to the bronze basin and washed them with water. This was the normal practice before putting on priestly garments. Aaron was dressed as the high priest in his white linen undergarments, robe, ephod, the breastpiece that contained the Urim and the Thummim, the turban on his head with the golden plate or sacred diadem attached to it. Aaron’s sons were dressed in tunics and sashes with headbands on them. They were dedicated for the ministry just as their father had been so honored, so that they would also serve as priests for all generations to come (Exodus 29:4-6, 40:12-16; Leviticus 8:1-2a, 5-9a).

Then Moses took the oil of dedication and sprinkled the Sanctuary and everything in it, thus, anointing everything to the priesthood (30:22-29). Then he went out into the courtyard of the Tabernacle and sprinkled some of the oil on the bronze altar seven times, dedicating it with all its utensils, and he also dedicated the bronze basin with its foot stand. After dedicating the Tabernacle, Moses anointed Aaron, the high priest. Moses took some of the oil and poured it on Aaron’s head. Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons forward, put tunics on them, tied sashes around them and put headbands on them as Ha’Shem commanded. The priesthood was theirs until the Dispensation of Torah had ended (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), and the Dispensation of Grace had begun (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21). That was how Aaron and his sons were dedicated to the ministry of the Tabernacle (Exodus 29:7 and 9b, 40:9-11; Leviticus 8:10-13).

The Dedication of Aaron and His Family
Exodus 29:1-37, 40:9-16

One of the most sacred events in connection with Tabernacle service was the dedication of the priests. The dedication of the high priest consisted of nine acts (Leviticus 8:7-9), whereas that of the common priests involved but three. The actual ceremony in the case of Aaron and his sons was performed by Moses (Leviticus 8:1-36). The candidate for dedication was taken to the bronze basin, and his body was washed with water. Following the washing, he was dressed with the sacred garments and dedicated with holy oil. One cannot help but be impressed with the splendor and significance of both the priest’s garments and his responsibility as mediator between God and man. Aaron serves well as a type of Christ. His duties and dress all point to the Person and work of Messiah as our high priest. What the priesthood of Aaron could not do, our Lord is able to do, because He is our perfect high priest. He is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 6:20 and 7:21). Melchizedek beautifully pictures Christ as a type of high priest (see my commentary on Hebrews Bk – The New Priesthood Lasts Forever). Aaron’s priesthood was only the shadow, whereas the Messiah’s priesthood is the reality.⁶³⁶

Make Tunics, Sashes and Headbands for Aaron’s Sons
28:40-41 and 39:27-29

Make tunics, shashes and headbands for Aaron’s sons DIG: Why were Aaron’s son’s priestly clothing different from their father’s?

REFLECT: What must you have under your belt to serve God? A pure heart? A spiritual gift? A love of righteousness? A love for Him? A willing spirit?

The tunic comes next. Not much is said about this piece of clothing except one important statement: You are to weave the tunic out of fine line (29:39). The fabric, linen, would have been white. It was the piece of clothing worn closest to the body. From this information, we conclude that one of the possible pictures it paints for us is one of purity. Representing mankind before ADONAI, the high priest wearing the white tunic teaches us that no one may approach Ha’Shem with impurities  . . . sin.

The LORD commanded Moses: Make undergarments as a covering for the body reaching from the waist to the thigh (to see link click Fx – The Linen Undergarments of Aaron and His Sons), tunics (or long robes) and sashes (or belts) of finely twisted white linen were to be made for Aaron’s sons (28:40). Their headbands, however, were different. The term turban from 28:37 is not used here, because the Hebrew word for headbands is a completely different word. It is derived from the root which is usually translated as a “hill.” In other words, the common priests’ headbands looked literally like a hill on their heads! Hence, we suggest that it was a common skull-cap. These headbands of the common priests were not as majestic as the one for the high priest. There was no engraved plate of pure gold on their foreheads. Even so, it and the tunics and sashes were greatly valued.

The five inch wide sash was beautiful and made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, the work of an embroiderer. Their clothing added dignity and honor to the priesthood and increased the people’s appreciation for them and for God.⁶³⁵ After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve Me as priest (28:41). After their clothes were put on them, they were dedicated to God for His service. Without these garments they could not serve as priests, they were an external sign of the priesthood. Then they were anointed with some of the oil of dedication and some of the blood from the bronze altar. A combination of oil and blood was sprinkled on their clothes (29:21). That set them apart for the ministry that they would undertake.

Make a Plate and Engrave On It:
Holy to the LORD
28:36-38 and 39:30-31

Make a plate and engrave on it: Holy to the LORD DIG: How did the golden plate serve as a reminder? An exhortation? Hope? When was the turban and the royalty of Isra’el removed? What did it signal? When would it end?

REFLECT: Who stamps your sacrifices and gifts as HOLY TO ADONAI on your forehead? What insights does this give you into the role of Jesus as your High Priest?

The phrase: HOLY TO ADONAI was engraved on a plate of pure gold, the seventh piece of clothing, which in turn, was attached by a blue cord to the front of the turban worn by the high priest over his forehead. The turban was the sixth piece of clothing. The word plate stems from the root meaning to sparkle or to shine. The noun normally refers to a flower or a blossom, but here it refers to a shining object. The word holy in Hebrew, or godesh, means to be set apart, distinct or uncommon. Here it probably means that Aaron had been especially set apart for his ministry as high priest. The turban, which was wrapped around his head, was to be made of white twisted linen, pointing to righteousness and purity that must be visible in the one who stands in the presence of God, on the behalf of others.

The Hebrew word for turban is a feminine noun and is used exclusively in connection with the high priest, except for one instance where it symbolizes royalty (Ezeki’el 21:26). It never signifies the headgear worn by the common priesthood. A totally different word, headbands, is used for that (28:40).⁶³²

On his head was the golden plate, a sacred diadem, to remind him and the Israelites that their sacrifices and gifts were always to be brought to God in the proper way with the proper motivation. It was the seventh, and last piece of clothing. Therefore, the golden crown was the very essence of Isra’el’s worship. As the representative of the people, he bore their guilt when presenting their sacred sacrifices at the bronze altar in the courtyard or the golden altar of incense in the Sanctuary. The LORD’s people should always be holy in all they say and do.⁶³³

The priesthood started with Aaron in the desert, but it ended with Zedekiah, the profane and wicked king, in Jerusalem. Against the prophecy of Isaiah, King Zedekiah and Judah had rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylonia. The result was that both the turban of the high priest and the crown of the king, were removed when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. It marked the start of the time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). And as Ezeki’el prophesied: The turban and the crown would not be restored until Jesus, the Messiah, came to whom it rightfully belonged (Ezeki’el 21:26-27).

This prophecy points us back to Genesis 49:10, which speaks of the scepter in the line of Judah. The line of King David would not be restored until the righteous, God-appointed, King would come. There would be no valid claims until Jesus rode into Yerushalayim to claim His rightful rule (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:4). Jesus Christ will completely fulfill Ezekiel’s prophecy. He will be both King and Priest of Isra’el.⁶³⁴ And just as the high priest wore his beautiful turban and plate of pure gold, one day Yeshua will be crowned with many crowns (Revelation 19:12).

The Urim and Thummim:
The Means of Making Decisions
28: 30

The Urim and Thummim: the means of making decisions DIG: How exactly did the high priest go about making decisions for the people? How does this way of making decisions differ from Jethro’s idea of decentralized decision- making (18:13-23)?

REFLECT: How do you determine what the will of God is in a particular situation?

The purpose of the breastpiece was for making decisions. The fifth piece of clothing, Urim and the Thummim, were the means by which the high priest made those decisions for the Israelites that were beyond human perception. The breastpiece was folded double (28:16) and formed kind of pouch for those precious stones. The fact that they were over Aaron’s heart whenever he entered the presence of ADONAI, reminded him of his awesome responsibility to discern the will of God when making decisions for the twelve tribes. It would be by the means of these stones, that the divine will was revealed.

The Urim means lights and the Thummim means perfections. The Septuagint, or the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, rather than translating the words, translates their meaning as revelation and truth. The words don’t mean revelation and truth, but the Urim and the Thummim reveled the truth. The fact that Urim begins the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet and Thummim begins with the last letter, probably meant that the lots were restricted to giving a positive or negative response to questions asked of them by lighting up. That is why they were named lights and perfections, or perfect light. Therefore, they were used to determine what “light” from ADONAI could be shed on a pending decision, or what His will would be (a “perfection“) for a particular matter. In other words, they brought a little of God’s judgment and wisdom down to needy mankind.

In the TaNaKh they are mentioned by name seven different times. In Exodus 28:30, Leviticus 8:8 and Numbers 27:21 they were seen as a means of inquiring of God’s mind. In Deuteronomy 33:8 they were seen as a unique possession of the tribe of Levi. In First Samuel 28:6 they refused to respond to King Saul’s questions.

There are nine biblical examples of how the Urim and the Thummim worked, although the words Urim and Thummim are not used explicitly. First, the high priest would cast lots to decide which of the two goats would be sacrificed as a sin offering to Ha’Shem on the Day of Atonement, and which one would be the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-10).

Secondly, Joshua had a problem. He needed to find out who was guilty of violating the herem ban on taking any plunder from Jericho that brought about Isra’el’s defeat at Ai. Joshua demanded: In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that ADONAI takes shall come forward clan by clan; the clan that He takes shall come forward family by family; and the family that He takes shall come forward man by man. The one who is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of ADONAI and has done a disgraceful thing in Isra’el (Joshua 7:14-15).

Early the next morning Joshua had Isra’el come forward by tribes, and Judah was taken. The clans of Judah came forward, and he took the Zerahites. He had the clan of Zerahites come forward by families, and Zimri was taken. Joshua had his family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken (Joshua 7:16-18). God could have simply told Joshua who the guilty person was. But He wanted him to use the Urim and the Thummim of the high priest, because they could only answer yes or no depending on the lighting of the stones. Each tribe had to pass by, but they only lit up when the tribe of Judah passed. Each clan passed, each family passed and each person within that family passed, and eventually they lit up and Achan was found to be the guilty party by the Urim and the Thummin.

A third example is also found in Joshua. There were seven tribes that had not received their inheritance of the Land. They were supposed to survey the Land and divide it up into seven parts. After they had written descriptions of each, they were to return to Joshua who would then have the high priest cast lots for them in the presence of ADONAI to determine which plot of land they would receive (Joshua 18:3-6).

Fourthly, there is another in First Samuel. So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Isra’el’s hand?” But God did not answer him that that day. Saul therefore said: Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. A sin had been committed that resulted in Saul losing in battle. So he used the Urim and the Thummin to find out who the guilty party was. Then Saul prayed to ADONAI, the God of Isra’el, “Give me the right answer.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men cleared. Saul then said: Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken (First Samuel 14:37-42).

Here is a fifth example. One of the sons of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. King Saul had killed all the priests of God, and only he had escaped and brought the ephod, which contained the Urim and the Thummin with him. When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest: Bring the ephod. David said: ADONAI, God of Isra’el, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? ADONAI, God of Isra’el, tell your servant. And YHVH answered: He will. Again David asked: Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul? And the LORD said: They will (First Samuel 22:20-21, 23:6, 10-12). By asking those yes and no questions to the Urim and the Thummin within the ephod, David was directed what to do by God.

David would use the ephod again in the sixth example. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of God, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” God answered, “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue” (First Samuel 30:7-8). The reason that David knew that he should pursue after the invading party was that he questioned by means of the Urim and the Thummin.

In the seventh example, David inquired of God. He asked: “Shall I go up to one of the towns in Judah?” YHVH said: “Go up.” So it was by the means of the Urim and the Thummin that David knew it was time to return to Isra’el.

In the eighth example the final decision on whether an exile qualified as a priest but was unable to prove it through genealogical records was decided by a priest and the Urim and Thummin (see the commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah, to see link click Ag – The First Return). They sought their genealogical records, but could not find them. So they were disqualified from the priesthood. As a result, the ruler (most likely Zerubbabel) said to them that they should not eat any of the most holy food until a cohen was ministering with the Urim and Thummim (Ezra 2:63).

Lastly, we see the same thing when Ezra returned to lead a spiritual revival in Yerushalayim (see Ezra-Nehemiah Bf – The Second Return). These sought their names in the genealogies, but were not found; so they were disqualified from the priesthood. The ruler (most likely Ezra) said to them  that they should not eat any of the most holy things until a choen arose with the Urim and Thummim (Nehemiah 7:65).

The casting of lots by an Israelite high priest was by no means the same as throwing dice, because the results were not determined by chance. The high priest knew that the lots’ every decision was from ADONAI (Proverbs 16:33). The last mention of a divine decision mediated through lots in the Bible is found in Acts 1:23-26. When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Shavu’ot (Acts 2:1-4), the need for casting lots disappeared.⁶³¹

Fashion a Breastplate for Making Decisions
28:15-29 and 39:8-21

Fashion a breastplate for making decisions DIG: What other duties of the high priest do you see here, especially in the bearing of the names of the sons of Isra’el? How would this elaborate breastplate help Aaron’s decision making? How were the precious stones similar to those in Revelation?

REFLECT: When God Almighty says you are one of His jewels, how does that make you feel? In what ways do you shine for Him? In what ways do you reflect His light? If you lived your life like one of His jewels, how would it change your life?

The fourth piece of clothing, the breastplate, was the most important and most costly of the high priest’s clothing. All his other clothing was merely a background to it, because it pointed to the very heart of Jesus Himself. It was best described as a vest, all be it a very beautiful one, that went over the ephod. It was attached to the front of it and was made of the same material, of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn and of finely twisted linen. The breastplate was about nine inches square and was folded double to form a pouch, open at the top, where the Urim and the Thummim were placed (28:15-16, 38:8-9).

Although beautiful, the purpose of the breastplate was functional, contributing to some of the duties of the high priest, who was considered to be a mediator between ADONAI and the people. On the one hand, he was to bring some of the sancitity, glory and splendor of the Eternal One to the people. But on the other hand, he was to represent sinful mankind to YHVH.

Mounted on the front of the breastplate were four rows of precious stones, three in each row. Each of the stones was engraved with the name of one of the twelve sons of Isra’el. There is no comparison between the kinds of stones listed here with those that will decorate the foundations of the city walls in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19-20). In the first row there shall be a ruby or sardius (NKJ), a topaz and a beryl. In the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald. In the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst. In the fourth row chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. The first and the last stones, the sardius and jasper, also describe the Lord’s appearance as He sits on His throne in heaven (Revelation 4:3). Moses was commanded to mount them in intricate gold settings (28:17-21, 38:10-14). Just as the breastplate stones bear the names of the twelve tribes of Isra’el, so the foundations of the New Jerusalem will bear the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14). Although the two lists are not identical, in each case the precise identification of a few of the stones is uncertain. Further research will perhaps clarify the nature of one or more of the unknown stones and possibly bring the two lists into closer agreement with each other.⁶²⁶

God tells us that we are His jewels. They will be mine, says ADONAI Almighty, in the day when I make them My jewels (Malachi 3:17 NKJ). We are very precious to Him, so precious that He paid a very costly price for our redemption, the price of His one and only Son. Every beam of light from the Sh’khinah glory that fell upon Aaron, fell upon the names of the tribes of Isra’el. And the Father’s smile upon His beloved Son also falls upon His bride; for we have been accepted and loved by Him. In His eyes we are identified with Jesus, crucified with Him, risen with Him and seated with Him in heavenly places (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 1:3).⁶²⁷

The breastplate was firmly fastened to the ephod over the high priest’s heart by means of four braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. It was not to be loosened or removed in any way. Two of the chains were slipped through the gold rings at the upper corners of the breastplate and attached to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. The other two braided chains were slipped through two golden rings at the lower corners of the breastplate just above the waistband. The rings of the breastplate were tied with a blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so it would be firmly attached to the ephod (28:22-28, 38:15-21).⁶²⁸

Whenever Aaron entered the Holy Place, he wore the names of the sons of Isra’el over his heart, on the breastplate of decision, as a continuing memorial before ADONAI (28:29). Having the breastplate of decision over Aaron’s heart is mentioned three times here, because it pictures Jesus standing at the right hand of God interceding for us. God not only carries us on His shoulders, the place of power and ability, but He carries us on His breast. We are engraved on His heart. He loves us! This is a picture of His love for us.⁶²⁹

In the TaNaKh, ADONAI revealed Himself to His people in a variety of ways. He revealed Himself through many mighty acts, such as the creation, the plagues on Egypt and the dividing of the Red Sea. He also gave His people a divine Word. This was done both orally, such as the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and in written form, such as the Book of the Covenant. Often, God employed prophets to speak His Word to His people. In addition, God revealed Himself, and the future, through the means of dreams (Genesis 41:1-37). The casting of lots was a common means of receiving revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures. Gideon even laid out a fleece so that God would make known to him His will (Judges 6:36-40). There were other methods as well by which God revealed His will.

Today some believers are often quite troubled by these various means by which God spoke to the righteous of the TaNaKh. They want to know if ADONAI speaks in these ways today. And, if not, why not? Or, if He does, does He speak to each one of us in these ways? Are these methods still applicable to the community of believers today? The writer to the Hebrews answers these questions in the very opening passage of his book when he says: In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2). The author is pointing out that the fullness of revelation is now complete with the coming of Jesus Messiah. No further revelation is needed. He is the final revelation.⁶³⁰

Make the Ephod of Gold, Blue, Purple and Scarlet Yarn
28:6-14 and 39:3-7

Make the ephod of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn DIG: Whose names were to be engraved on the onyx stones? What would their names memorialize? What do these names suggest about the priest’s role in relation to the people of God?

REFLECT: What names would you engrave on a button or memorial to honor those whose faith has been a foundation of yours? Would your names appear on anyone else’s?

The high priest wore a loosely fitting jacket called an ephod that covered his upper body. It is a strange word to us. We don’t have any piece of clothing to compare to it. This was his third piece of clothing. It was worn over, and stood out in contrast to, the blue robe (Leviticus 8:7-8). Later in biblical history the ephod became the official emblem of the priesthood. Whoever had the ephod, had the priesthood (First Samuel 2:18, 14:3, 22:8, 23:6, 30:7-8).

The ephod was made out of material that looked similar to the inner veil of the Sanctuary. It’s importance lies in that it was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and of finely twisted white linen. The courtyard, the gate, the inner veil, the outer veil, and the covering of the Sanctuary were all made of this same material, which pointed to the purity of Messiah. It was made in two pieces, a front and a back that were joined together at the shoulders by two braided chains of pure gold. The two parts of the ephod were fastened around the body by means of a skillfully woven waistband, which was really of one piece with the ephod (28:6-8 and 39:3-5).

Two onyx stones were fastened in gold interlacing settings on the shoulders of the ephod. The onyx stones had been part of the people’s contribution to the building of the Tabernacle (25:3-7). The names of the twelve sons of Isra’el, in the order of their birth, were engraved on each stone – six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. The rabbis teach that there were twenty-five letters on each stone. The two onyx stones were then mounted in gold interlacing settings and fastened to the braided gold chains. In that position, the stones would remind the high priest of his responsibility to faithfully represent each of the tribes as he officiated in the services of the Tabernacle. Two specialists – those of the skilled craftsman and the embroiderer – were required for making the inner and outer veils (26:31 and 26), as well as the priests’ garments (28:6, 15 and 39, 39:29), and a third – that of the weaver – became necessary as the work on the garments proceeded (39:22 and 27).⁶²⁴ The high priest bore the children of Isra’el on his shoulders, signifying his position as representative of the entire nation. His appearance served as a memorial before ADONAI (28:13-14).

What a better place for us to be carried than on the shoulders of the Great High Priest? Yeshua once gave a parable about lost sheep. He said: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me: I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:3-7). The shepherd went out and found his lost sheep and put it on his shoulders. Jesus, carries me on His shoulders where He also carries you. From time to time I get off His shoulders, but He is right there to lift me back to safety. The ephod gives us a breathtaking picture of Yeshua Messiah.⁶²⁵

Make the Robe of the Ephod
28:31-35 and 39:22-26

Make a robe of the Ephod DIG: What did this second piece of clothing look like? How does this relate to Yeshua? What do clothes and bells have to do with being near to God?

REFLECT: Believers are to clothe themselves with the new self . . . that expresses itself in true righteousness and holiness that flow from truthfulness (Ephesians 4:24-25). How can you dress in this spiritual attire?

Dressing the high priest properly was critical for approaching God. A sleeveless robe that went down to the ankles was worn over the undergarments as his second piece of clothing. It was woven of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center and embodied the color of the heavens. No other colored material was to be mixed with it. Around the head opening there was a woven edge like a collar so that it would not tear (28:31-32, 39:22-23). It was held in place by the skillfully woven waistband that was of one piece with the ephod (28:8).

The robe was a symbol of Messiah’s position, office and character, as our perfect High Priest (see the commentary on Hebrews, to see link click Bl – Yeshua the Melchizedek Priest). It speaks to us of His robe of righteousness, which is given to all who accept His free gift of righteousness by faith in His shed blood. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this when he said: I delight greatly in ADONAI, my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bride-groom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10). And Rabbi Sha’ul added: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). This gift is available to anyone who will accept it, because it comes through faith in Christ. It is as though a robe were on display in a store window. It is available to all. But only the one who takes it and wears it is clothed by it. Jesus Christ paid the price of the robe that he offers to all. It is only for us to receive it as His gift of grace. Could anything be more wonderful? More simple? Even a little child could understand it.⁶²⁰

Around the hem of the seamless robe, Bezalel placed imitation pomegranates made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with gold bells interspaced between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates were to alternate all the way around the hem of the robe (28:33-34, 39:24-25). ADONAI commanded that Aaron, or any subsequent high priest, must wear the robe when they ministered in the Sanctuary. Hiram of Tyre used the pomegranate as a decoration in his construction of Solomon’s temple (First Kings 7:18-20). Pomegranates were abundant in ancient Palestine, and were among the fruits that the spies brought back to Moses when they went into the Land before their forty years of wilderness wanderings (Numbers 13:23). Therefore, the purpose of the pomegranates, aside from weighing down the robe so it would not fly up and expose the high priest in the wind, was perhaps to symbolize the fruitfulness of the Land of promise.⁶²¹

The sound of the bells would assure the people of God’s mercy in allowing the high priest to minister on their behalf, and also announced his coming before ADONAI. He was, after all, coming before the presence of the King. Only a high priest properly dressed could enter the Most Holy Place and minister before ADONAI (28:35, 39:26). Disregarding those instructions would result in his death. But the movement of the bells would tell people that he was still living, because if his offering were not acceptable, the sound of the bells would stop. The rabbis teach that a rope would be tied around the ankle of the high priest on the Day of Atonement, and if he died in the Most Holy Place they could pull him out since no one else could enter in. However, the sound of the bells as the priest left the Sanctuary called for great rejoicing for the atonement that had been completed.⁶²²

We ought to be struck by the specific nature of God’s commands to Isra’el regarding how members of the priesthood were to dress and to act. The regulations, at times, seem to go on forever. But the quantity of detail underscores the fact that the priesthood was to operate according to heavenly specifications. It would run in no other way. Aaron’s sons were killed because they offered strange fire before ADONAI (Leviticus 10:1-7 CJB). Their good intentions were insufficient. Uzziah apparently meant well when he reached out and took hold of the Ark of the Covenant so it would not fall (Second Samuel 6:1-8). He should have obeyed God’s Word (Numbers 1:51, 4:15, 19-20). As believers, the end never justifies the means. We are to act according to Scripture. The Bible alone is the rule of our obedience. Thus, we must have a familiarly with it. Knowledge of Scripture is essential to obedience.⁶²³