Description

Priestly Garments, Consecration, and Rituals

These chapters of Exodus outline God's specific instructions to Moses regarding the establishment of the Israelite priesthood. Key themes include the creation of elaborate and symbolic priestly garments for Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28), the detailed rituals for their consecration into priestly service (Exodus 29), and the construction and purpose of sacred objects like the altar of incense and the basin for washing (Exodus 30). The passages emphasize the importance of holiness, atonement, and the specific procedures required to approach God in the tabernacle.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. The Significance of Priestly Garments (Exodus 28):

• Dignity and Honor: The garments are not merely functional; they are designed to give Aaron and his sons "dignity and honor" as they represent God before the people. "Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor." (28:2).
• Specific Materials and Craftsmanship: God commands the use of precious materials (gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen) and skilled labor. These materials and the craftsmanship were intentional, not accidental.
• Symbolic Garments:Ephod: The ephod, with two onyx stones bearing the names of the sons of Israel, serves as a memorial and represents the priests’ responsibility for the people. "Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord." (28:12)
• Breastpiece: The breastpiece, adorned with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes, also includes the Urim and Thummim for making decisions, which demonstrates the priest’s responsibility to communicate God's will for the people. "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." (28:30)
• Robe: The blue robe, with pomegranates and gold bells, signifies the priest's presence before God. "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." (28:35).
• Turban with Gold Plate: The plate engraved "holy to the Lord" symbolizes the priest's consecration and his bearing the guilt of the people's offerings, making them acceptable to God. "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." (28:38).
• Function: The overall purpose of these garments is to prepare the priests to "serve me as priests" (28:1, 4).

2. The Consecration of the Priesthood (Exodus 29):

• Ritualistic Cleansing: The priests are first washed with water to prepare them for their holy service. "Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water." (29:4).
• Dressing and Anointing: The priests are dressed in their designated garments and anointed with sacred oil to consecrate them for their office. "Take the garments and dress Aaron… Take the anointing oil and anoint him…" (29:5-7).
• Sacrificial Process: The consecration involves a complex series of sacrifices of a bull and two rams, with the blood and fat portions being used in specific ways to dedicate the priests to God. This also includes a sin offering for atonement. "Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement." (29:36)
• Blood Rituals: The application of blood on the priests' ears, thumbs, and big toes signifies their dedication and cleansing. “Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet." (29:20).
• Wave Offerings: The wave offering of the ram's breast and thigh represent the share designated for the priests. “After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.” (29:26).
• Eating of Sacrificial Meals: The ordained priests are to eat from specific portions of the offerings. "At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket." (29:32).
• Seven-Day Ordination: The ordination process takes seven days, emphasizing the thoroughness of their dedication. "Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them." (29:35)
• Perpetual Priesthood: The priesthood is established as a "lasting ordinance" (29:9), signifying a continuous role for Aaron's descendants in serving God.

3. Sacred Objects and Rituals (Exodus 30):

• Altar of Incense:Construction: The altar is made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with rings for carrying. "Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. It is to be square… Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold..." (30:1-3).
• Function: It is used to burn fragrant incense daily, symbolizing prayer and worship before God. "Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps." (30:7). It is specifically designated for incense offerings, not burnt or grain offerings.
• Annual Atonement: It is also where an annual atonement is made with blood. "Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns." (30:10).
• Atonement Money: Each Israelite is required to pay a half-shekel for atonement, contributing to the upkeep of the tabernacle and symbolizing their redemption. "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel… This half shekel is an offering to the Lord." (30:13).
• Basin for Washing: A bronze basin is placed between the tent and the altar for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the tent or approaching the altar, underscoring the need for purity and holiness. "Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it." (30:19).
• Sacred Anointing Oil: A special blend of spices and olive oil is created for anointing the tabernacle, its objects, and the priests. This oil is considered sacred and is not to be replicated or used for any other purpose. "Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil." (30:25) and “Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula.” (30:32).
• Incense: A fragrant incense blend is prescribed for use in the tabernacle, with strict warnings against replicating it for personal use. "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts… Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord.” (30:34, 37).

Concluding Points:

• Divine Order: The detailed instructions highlight God’s meticulousness and the importance of following His commands exactly.
• Holiness: Holiness and separation from the ordinary are paramount in the priestly duties and handling of sacred objects. This was an act of reverence for the Lord's holiness, and a reminder that God cannot be approached carelessly.
• Atonement: Atonement is a recurring theme, from the atonement money to the sin offerings, emphasizing the need for reconciliation with God.
• God's Presence: All these elements are designed to facilitate God's dwelling among the Israelites and establish a structured means of interaction with the divine. "Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God." (29:45)