Exodus 28 Devotional Bible Study

Exodus 28 Chapter Summary

Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were to be priests. They were to wear special garments when carrying out their priestly duties.

First was the robe of the Ephod, with the names of the sons of Israel engraved on stones.

 

Next was the Breastpiece with different gems representing each of the sons of Israel. It was also to contain the Urim and the Thummim. It was to be a way of making decisions.

 

Priestly robes were to be made of blue cloth with bells attached to it. The bells would sound so that when he entered the Holy Place, he wouldn’t die.

 

A plate was to be put on the front of the priest’s turban that said Holy to the Lord.

 

There was also to be a tunic, sash, and undergarments.

 

The priests were to wear these garments whenever they approached the altar or entered the Tent of Meeting, or else they would die.

 

What Was the Priest Supposed to Do?

As I read about the introduction of the priesthood in Exodus 28, a few things stand out to me about what the priest is supposed to be and do.

 

“Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.” (Exodus 28:2)

First, the Lord commands that the priests wear special garments to give them dignity and honor. They and the people are to recognize the role the Lord has given the priests. The priests are to take their position seriously, and the people are to honor them for filling their role. Today, we give our priests many different titles – pastor, reverend, father – but they all fill the priestly role God has given them.

 

“Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord.” (Exodus 28:9-12)

The priest is to literally bear the weight of the people. He is to carry the people before the Lord and remind the Lord of His people. To me, this speaks of the minister’s responsibility to pray for their people.

 

“Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands…Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.” (Exodus 28:15, 30)

Through the breastpiece the priest wore, the Lord would give direction to the people. They could go to the priest and ask for the Lord’s guidance, and He would answer. Today, we don’t have the Urim and Thummim, but the Lord still uses His chosen leaders to give guidance. You should be able to go to a genuine minister of the Lord and receive a sound answer on what the Lord would have you do.

 

“The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” (Exodus 28:34-35)

What is music used for in connection to serving the Lord? It’s for worship, isn’t it? The priest is to remember that his position is not about himself. It’s about worshipping His God. If he forgets this, he will fall.

 

“Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.” (Exodus 28:36-38)

The people were to bring their sacrifices and offerings to the priests, and through his holy service to the Lord, he made the gifts acceptable to God. In the same way, we’re to bring our offerings to the minister so that they may be acceptable to the Lord.