Sunday, July 29, 2007

Exodus 28


   The repentant Israelite who had gone through the gate of the tabernacle with his sacrifice and reached the bronze altar had proceeded as far as he dare go along the path of approach to God. Beyond that it was the responsibility of priests to go on his behalf and carry out spiritual tasks in the Holy Place. This they did as representatives for all the people. To them alone was the high privilege of the calling of God to serve him more closely than the congregation of Israel or even then the specially appointed Levites could. - The Priestly Garments: www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm


   The priests of Israel were but dim shadows of the one Great Priest of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. A few brief passages give us an understanding of the perfection found in the priestly character of Christ:

(1) Christ as Priest is appointed and chosen by God

Hebrews 5:5: That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.

(2) He is consecrated with an oath

Hebrews 7:20-22: This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

(3) He is sinless

Hebrews 7:26: He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

(4) His priesthood is unchangeable

Hebrews 7:23-24: There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.

(5) His offering is perfect and final

Hebrews 9:25-28: And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age] to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

(6) He Intercedes continually

Hebrews 7:24-25: But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

(7) He is the only mediator

1 Timothy 2:5: For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.


- The Priests: www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priests.htm


Clothing for the Priests


   "The High Priest was robed in eight separate garments: the ephod, breastplate (choshen), robe (me'il), tunic (ketonet), crown (tzitz), pants (michnasayim), turban (mitznefet), and belt or sash (avnate). The Temple Institute has completed work on the ephod and the choshen. The tzitz of the High Priest is currently being reworked by the artisans of The Temple Institute. In the near future, the Institute plans to embark on a major project: the production and supplying of the white garments of the ordinary priests, for every male Jewish descendant of Aaron. Every cohein, from all over the world, will be given the opportunity to register and order his own uniform, so that he can be ready to serve in the rebuilt Holy Temple. This is as great an expression of faith as can be expressed, and is a positive step towards the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in our time. The fashioning of the High Priest's vestments, as described in the book of Exodus, and in strict accordance with the tradition of the Jewish sages, for the first time in nearly 2000 years, marks a significant step forward toward the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple that will be rebuilt on the very spot where it stood for 1000 years."
- www.templeinstitute.org/meil_techelet.htm


   "These garments are essential in order for the priests to function in their sacred capacity; so much so that in their absence, the offerings made by the priests in the Temple have no validity! Without his uniform, the priest who serves in the Holy Temple is considered like a "stranger" serving before the L-rd - like an ordinary non-priest. No priest is fit to serve in the Temple unless he is wearing the sacred garments. Conducting the service without these garments would render the priests the same as those who are not descendants of Aaron.


   "The rabbis established that G-d's command for the priestly garments to be "for honor and for beauty" teach us that they must be new and dignified. If the garments were soiled, stained, or ripped, the priests may not conduct the service while wearing them - and if they did, the service would be invalid. The uniform must fit each fit perfectly. It was forbidden for the pants, for example, to be too long or too short. The garments were made to order for each priest, tailored to fit his measurements exactly. This tells us something of the tremendous work force needed to turn out these garments in such quantities that every priest in Israel could be supplied with his own garments. There were so many priests available for duty in the Holy Temple that no priest ever offered the daily incense service more than once in his lifetime, and it was offered twice daily for many hundreds of years! Yet each had his own garments. Any garment which became soiled to the extent that its stains could not be removed, those garments were not washed. When they became disqualified from use in this manner, the tunics were used to make wicks for the menorah, and the belts and pants, wicks for the oil lamps of the Festival of the Water Libation which took place in the Women's Court during the Festival of Sukkot. This applies only to the garments of the ordinary priests. When the High Priest's uniform became unusable through wear and tear, it was not destroyed, but hidden away so that no other man could ever wear it. There are three separate categories of priestly garments:



  1. The High Priest's uniform, which he wears all year round. These consist of eight garments, called the "golden garments."

  2. The clothing worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. These are four garments called the "white garments."

  3. The uniform of the ordinary priests, consisting of four garments.


     "With regard to the High Priest's service on the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16:3-6 states: “When Aaron enters the sanctuary area, he must follow these instructions fully. He must bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are sacred garments, so he must bathe himself in water before he puts them on. Aaron must take from the community of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.“Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the Lord. The four garments worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement are the tunic, pants, the turban and the belt. These garments are made from white flax; hence their designation "the white garments." They must be woven, as mentioned above, and each thread used must be six-ply - woven from six individual strands of fabric. The High Priest had two tunics which he wore on the Day of Atonement. One, he wore in the morning, and the other at the evening. After the conclusion of the Day of Atonement, he will never again wear the white garments in which he officiated on this day. They are hidden in the place where he removes them, as Leviticus 16:23 indicates When Aaron goes back into the Tabernacle, he must take off the linen garments he was wearing when he entered the Most Holy Place, and he must leave the garments there.


   "The ordinary priests wear four garments all year round-these are the same as the "white garments" worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement: tunic, pants, hat, and belt. Referring to these priests, Exodus 28:40-42 states And for Aaron's sons you shall make for them tunics, and you shall make for them belts, and you shall make for them hats... and make for them linen pants.... These garments are to be made from flax, and they too must be created from threads consisting of six individual strands. - The Temple Institute


   "In the beginning, man acted as his own high priest. We remember Cain and Abel offering their sacrifices to God. Later we find the father, as head of the household, offering sacrifices to God - such as Job. Abraham was also one of many who practiced this sacred duty. Still later in the history of mankind, we find a man chosen of God to act as priest for a nation, and finally Christ Himself as priest for the entire world. Jesus said in John 14:6 "No man cometh unto the father, but by me." While the priestly garments basically served decorative, functional, and symbolic purposes, they also pre-figured the ministry of Christ, our High Priest, who bears our names before God constantly. But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. - Hebrews 8:6). - campus.houghton.edu/orgs/rel-phil/schultzweb/priestly.htm




The High Priest

   At the top of the social and political scale was the High Priest. In the Old Testament period the High Priest did not have much power, but during and after the exile he apparently attained greater importance. In fact, many of the trappings of the monarchy were transferred to the High Priest, not merely the clothing but also the duties of government.


   The priesthood traced its lineage from Aaron through his son Eleazar to Zadok; the other son was Ithamar. The line of the High Priests was in the Zadokite family until the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, when Onias III had to flee for his life. Until that time, the office had a life-long tenure; but afterward the high priests were appointed and deposed at the will of the ruler.


   During the Roman period there were 28 High Priests; Herod appointed seven of them himself. So there were always several ex-High Priests around, and they still retained their titles and their influence. But Herod and his successors controlled the office. There were only a few families of the nobility from which the High Priests could be chosen, but it may be that any member of these families could use the title. In the Gospel accounts the two best-known High Priests are Caiaphas (who ruled from18-36 A.D.)who presided over the group that turned Jesus over to Pilate for crucifixion, and Annas (who ruled from 6-15 A.D.), his father-in-law, who first examined Jesus.


   The last High Priest of the Jewish state was a commoner chosen by lot when the Zealots took the Temple. The High Priest was supposed to be able to be able to trace his lineage from the High Priestly families. He also had to maintain ritual purity in himself and in his descendants. His major tasks were to make atonement in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, to officiate in the Temple, and (at certain historical times) to preside over the Sanhedrin. Of course, as High Priest he could officiate any time he wished.


Priests and Levites

   Any man who was born in the family of Levi and had an impeccable genealogy could serve as a priest in the Temple. Because of the importance of the Temple for Judaism, and because the priesthood was restricted to the family of Levi, this was an honorable position. Those who could not trace their lines back were Levites. Their duties were outside the court of the priests: they were involved with Temple music, performed various physical and religious services for the Temple, and served as Temple guards. It was such a group of Levites who came to arrest Jesus (Matthew 26:47) and later the apostles (Acts 4:1-3).


   The priesthood was divided into 24 courses or families, 16 were Zadokite and 8 were of Ithamar. Each group was responsible for one week of service in the Temple at a time, so in a given year they would serve a total of two weeks as well as the times of the festivals. The rest of the year they ministered throughout the land in the areas in which they lived. Their duties included making the sacrifices and performing the ritual of the sanctuary, burning the incense along with their intercession in the Holy Place, and teaching the people the laws and the ritual (Deut. 33:9,10; Mal. 2:7).


Concluding Observations

   In the days of Jesus there existed a priestly aristocracy whose standard of living contrasted dramatically with the modest conditions of the common priests. They were the official representatives of the sacral life of the nation; and they, this priestly aristocracy, as a body rejected Christ as a transgressor. Notable among them are Caiaphas and Annas, High Priests from the Sadducean ruling class and part of Israel's nobility. They certainly held the power over the Sanhedrin in the trial of Jesus, even though they were subordinate to Pontius Pilate for their final decisions.


Conclusion

   Spiritual leadership in the days of Jesus had certainly gone awry, and the spiritual life of the people was thrown into confusion. Of course there were a few faithful leaders around, good people who were devout, wise, learned, and capable, who were trying to minister as they understood they should do. But the greater number who occupied positions of authority had been caught up in the constant religious battles with pagan rulers and power struggles with one another. They disagreed with each other on theology, politics, ritual, and ministry. Too often they were pre-occupied with their own interpretations of the Scripture to hear the truth; they became self-righteous and self-serving. Their hypocrisy and unbelief blinded them to the truth of the revelation of Jesus Christ.


   Against this backdrop our Lord called people to follow Him and learn of Him. The training that they received from Jesus was designed to make them into spiritual leaders in the Church that He was building. But the qualities of spiritual leadership that He was cultivating in them through their spiritual growth contrasted sharply with what they and everyone else could see in the current religious leaders of the day.


- The Priests: www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3999



Zechariah 3: Then the angel showed me Jeshua (Joshua) the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.“And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”


   The filthy clothes are a symbol of the corruption of the unholy former members of the office of High Priest. These clothes represent the condition of the priesthood as described in Jeremiah and Ezekiel when the priesthood was corrupted by idolatry and avarice. These are stripped away from Joshua, and a new set of clean garments point to a restored and revived holiness in the priesthood. Satan's rebuke is complete. He has nothing now to accuse.


Zechariah 6:12: Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord.


- A Renewed and Cleansed Priesthood: www.ao.net/~fmoeller/zec3.htm



   The nation of Israel, which is referred to as "Mamlechet Kohanim," (a kingdom of priests) must wear one article of special clothing--the Tzizit (the four cornered garment spoken about in the Torah). The four whole strings on each corner are folded over and divided into two sets of four half strings (making a total of eight half strings), and are reminiscent of the number of garments worn by the priests. Originally, the commandment to wear Tzizit included having some number of strings dyed a special blue (nowadays we are not sure exactly what dye it was, and so most people do not dye any of their strings blue). - dolphin.upenn.edu/~dbh/parshas/titzaveh/96/


   Tzitzit included a combination of linen and wool that was otherwise forbidden to be worn by anyone but the high priest — another link between the high priest’s garments and the clothing of commoners.


Numbers 15:38: Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.



Matthew 9:20-22: Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.



Matthew 14:34-36: After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.


Matthew 23:5: “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.



Romans 13:14: Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.


2 Corinthians 5:2-3: We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.


Ephesians 4:24: Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.


Colossians 3:10: Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.



(1) “Call for your brother, Aaron*, and his sons, Nadab**, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.


*Aaron was not chosen on the ground of any merit in himself; he certainly had no claim on God for such an honor, but God gave it to him - that's what grace is.


**Nadab, the eldest son of Aaron, on the very day of his consecration with his brother Abihu, perished for having offered "strange fire" - (Leviticus 9:23,24; 10:1,2).


   While the priesthood was formed out of men of the family of Aaron only (his sons were: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar; they succeeded Aaron as High Priest); the other families of the tribe of Levi were called to take their place alongside the priestly family:



  1. MERARI (Numbers 3:36) - Had charge of the heavy boards, sockets, basic structure of the Tabernacle.

  2. GERSHOM (Numbers 3:25) - Had charge of the hanging which separated the various parts of the Tabernacle.

  3. BOHATHITES (Numbers 3:31) - Had responsibility of carrying the holy vessels or furniture.

  4. NO WOMEN were given service in the Tabernacle.


(2) Make sacred* garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful.


*sacred: The point of the word "sacred" or “holy” is that these garments would be distinctive from ordinary garments, for they set Aaron apart to sanctuary service and ministry. The purpose of these priestly garments is to give Aaron "dignity and honor" and they are to be prepared before his consecration. The materials used parallel those used to make the tabernacle: gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; fine linen; onyx and other precious stones. By being decked out as the tabernacle itself, the high priest in his service becomes the focus of God's presence for the people of God - a mini-tabernacle.


   When a phrase is used only twice in the entire Tanach, and when both of those times occur as "frames" for one passage, it is a signal that the reader is about to read something distinctive. The description of the High Priest's clothing is framed with the words lechavod uletifaret, "for splendor and for beauty" or "for dignity and adornment." (Exodus 28:2, 40) These two words, in this combination, appear nowhere else in Scripture. Lechavod comes from the root that means “heavy, burdensome, and honored.” Letifaret, “for beauty/glory/adornment.” - urj.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=2986


(3) Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled* with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.


* whom I have filled: Notice that it's God who equipped these men with these talents, just as He fully equips us for the task He's called us to.


(4) These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests.


(5) So give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


(6) "The craftsmen must make the ephod* of finely woven linen and skillfully embroider it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


*The Ephod


   It refers here to a garment worn by the priests, but the word can also refer to some kind of image for a god (Judges 8:27). The ephod was worn over the linen garment. Two long pieces of cloth were brought together and fastened by a stone on one shoulder and a stone on the other shoulder. The material was gathered in the middle with a girdle. Six of the names of the tribes of Israel were engraved on one onyx stone and six names were engraved on the other. When the high priest went into the presence of God, he carried the children of Israel on his shoulders - just as Jesus Christ carries you and me on His shoulders.


   The work ephod comes from the Hebrew aphad - to bind on, because it held the breastplate in its place. Worn by Aaron the priest, Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 2:18) and David the king (2 Samuel 6:14), Christ combining all three offices.


   "The most important garment worn by the High Priest is the ephod. Its appearance can be likened to an apron; it was worn in back, on top of his other garments, and was fastened by a long belt in the front, opposite his heart. This belt was woven into the entire length of the ephod's upper hem. There were also two shoulder-straps that were sewn onto the belt. These straps went behind, up and slightly over the upper corners of the garment, over the priest's shoulders. The settings for the two onyx stones were attached at the ends of these straps, on the shoulders. The ephod covered the back of his body. Some opinions describe it as a sort of half-cape; others, more like a skirt. It was long - it extended from just below his elbows, all the way to his heels. It was slightly wider than a man's back, since it was to cover his back and extend a little towards the front on both sides as well, covering a portion of his belly from either side." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


(7) It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.


(8) The decorative sash will be made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


   


   "Three different belts were worn by the priests in the Holy Temple: The High Priest's year-round belt, part of the "golden garments." This was embroidered of sky-blue, dark-red and crimson dyed wools, and twisted linen: "And a belt of fine twisted linen, and sky-blue, dark-red and crimson dyed wools, the work of an embroiderer" (Exodus 39:29).
The belt worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement; one of the "white garments." This was made only of six-ply linen, as the verse states "...tie the linen sash around his waist" (Leviticus 16:4).
Regarding the belt of the Ordinary Priests, there are two opinions among the scholars. Some maintain that it was the same as the belt belonging to the set of "golden garments," and thus consisting of four materials; others opine that it belongs to the "white garments" category and was made of linen alone."


   "Josephus describes the belt or sash as being hollow like the skin shed by a snake. It was a work of "embroidery;" when used in this context of Temple furnishings; the Bible uses this term to indicate that the same design was featured on both sides of the material. Although the belt itself was made of linen, the embroidery-a floral design-was done of colored wool threads (the three colors which we have mentioned), and attached to the white linen background. This combination of wool and linen together in garments is normally forbidden (see Leviticus 19:19), but it was permitted for the priestly garments.


"The High Priest and the Ordinary Priests: Was the Belt the Same?


   "There is a controversy between the scholars as to the appearance of the ordinary priests' belts. Some authorities, such as Josephus hold that were the same as the High Priest's; other opinions maintain that the ordinary priests' belts were plain white linen. The belt was wrapped many times around the body at the hips, but close to the heart. Its purpose was to separate between the upper and lower portions of the body; Jewish religious law obligates this separation during prayer or the mentioning of anything holy. Josephus states that when worn, the two ends of the belt hung in front, down to the priest's ankles. However during the actual service the priest would cast these two ends over his left shoulder, to prevent them from interfering with his work." - ww.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


   We are instructed to wear the "belt of truth". Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,


(9) “Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel.



   According to Josephus, the engraved onyx stones on the shoulders were designed so that the names of the six eldest sons were engraved on the stone on the right shoulder, and those of the six youngest sons on the stone on the left shoulder.


(10) Six names will be on each stone, arranged in the order of the births of the original sons of Israel.


(11) Engrave these names on the two stones in the same way a jeweler engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in settings of gold filigree.


(12) Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord.


(13) Make the settings of gold filigree,


(14) then braid two cords of pure gold and attach them to the filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod.


   The shoulder stones represented that the priest symbolically carried the burden of the whole nation on his shoulders as he represented them before God.


   "Two sardonyx stones were fixed in settings of gold on the High Priest's shoulders; one on the right, and one on the left. The names of the tribes of Israel were engraved upon these two stones ... The sages explain the meaning of this expression: when the High Priest entered into the holy place dressed in the ephod, the Holy One saw all the tribes of Israel inscribed before Him and He was moved to have mercy on His people. Another two square gold settings were fixed on the High Priest's shoulders, directly under the sardonyx stones. Golden chains extended from these settings to the golden hooks in the rings of the breastplate, in order to fix the breastplate to the ephod." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


(15) “Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God. Make it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.


   "The chestpiece or breastplate was like a vest that went over the garment. It was a breastplate of judgment. On the breastplate of the high priest were the twelve precious stones which were arranged three in a row with four rows. These stones are also found in Revelation where they form the foundation of the New Jerusalem.


   "This garment is called choshen mish pat in Hebrew, which means the "breastplate of judgment" or "decision." Square-shaped and worn over the heart, it was called so because of the unique role which it played in helping to render fateful decisions. According to the Biblical instructions and rabbinical traditions, the breastplate is a patterned brocade like the ephod. The threads of its fabric are gold, sky-blue, dark red and crimson wool, and twisted linen. The garment itself is set with four rows of small square stones, in settings of knitted or braided gold. - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


   The breastplate was actually a piece of elaborately finished cloth of the same material as the ephod. It was a strip twice as long as it was wide, but folded back on itself so as to form a square bag into which the Urim and Thummim were placed. The breastplate was held in place by golden chains attached to the onyx shoulder clasps and also by blue lace ribbons, which attached the breastplate to the ephod. Evidently, there was a small golden ring attached to each corner of the breastplate to which in turn the golden chains and ribbons were connected. The stones upon the breastplate represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were borne before the Lord continually as a memorial. Inasmuch as the twelve stones were in one breastplate they speak of the oneness of the people of God; while their position upon Aaron's breast speaks of God's affection for His people. the names on the breastplate were always close to Aaron's heart just as with Christ and His precious ones. In modern times, the Torah scrolls of the synagogue are frequently wrapped in blue or purple velvet or silk cloths. A breast plate adorns the scroll, and a crown or coronets of silver and gold with tinkling bells are placed upon its rollers; these recall some of the items of dress of the High Priest. - The Priestly Garments: www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm


Ephesians 6:14: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (KJV)


(16) Make the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.


(17) Mount four rows of gemstones on it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald.


(18) The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.


(19) The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.


(20) The fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will be set in gold filigree.


   U. Cassuto (Exodus, 375-76) points out that these are the same precious stones mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13 that were to be found in Eden, the garden of God. So the priest, when making atonement, was to wear the precious gems that were there and symbolized the garden of Eden when man was free from sin.


(21) Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal.



The Colors Correspond to the Tribes' Banners (the Temple Institute):


   In reality, the only fact which is known with absolute certainty is the color of each stone. Although absent from the Biblical passages, this is recorded by the Midrash (Bandar Abash 2:7), where it is stated that each tribe's stone on the breastplate matched the background color of its flag (the tribes of Israel camped and journeyed according to their ensigns during the years of their desert travels).Thus even if some doubt exists with regard to the scientific classification of the gems themselves, we can still be certain as to their appearance based on the Midrashic description of their colors (again, arbitrarily using the 12 "most representative" names we have chosen for the purpose of listing them):



  1. Ruby - Reuben - Red

  2. Jade - Shimon - Green

  3. Agate - Levi - Red, White, and Black Striped

  4. Carbuncle - Judah - Bluish-Green

  5. Lapis-Lazuli - Issachar - Blue

  6. Quartz Crystal - Zebulun - Clear

  7. Turquoise - Dan - Blue

  8. Amethyst - Natalie - Purple

  9. Agate - Gad - Gray

  10. Aquamarine - Asher - Blue-Green

  11. Onyx - Joseph - Black

  12. Opal - Benjamin - A Stone Possessing All the Colors


Exhaustive Research Concluded by the Temple Institute:


   It will be of great interest to the reader to learn that over the course of nearly a decade, scholars at the Temple Institute of Jerusalem have conducted intensive research into the identity of the breastplate's stones, in an effort to reach a working conclusion that will allow the Institute's artisans and craftsmen to actually construct a kosher breastplate, which will fulfill the Biblical requirements for the stones-and thus be able to be worn by the next High Priest.


How Were the Tribes Arranged on the Breastplate?


   Above, regarding the two sardonyx stones that were, we have quoted the verse "And you shall take two sardonyx stones, and engrave upon them the names of the children of Israel; there shall be six names on one stone, and six names on the second stone in the order of their birth" (Exodus 28:9-10).


   When it came to those two stones placed on the High Priest's shoulders, verses 9-10 clearly indicate that the names of the tribes should be engraved upon them in the order of their birth. But in the context of the stones of the breastplate, scripture gives no such indication. Therefore, there is some controversy as to the order in which these names appeared.



   When the reader tries to visualize the breastplate based on this information, he should bear in mind that the order which meets the eye is actually reversed-since Hebrew reads from right to left.


"A Remembrance"


   Like the two sardonyx shoulder stones, the Bible states that the purpose of the twelve stones is to be a continual reminder verse 29. When the High Priest bore the breastplate into the holy place, Israel was remembered for peace." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


  We are His jewels, and He has us on His heart! You are God’s jewel, and He has you on His heart. Constantly and continually, our great High Priest loves you. Furthermore He guides you.


(22) “To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold thread.


(23) Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece.


(24) Tie the two gold cords to the two rings on the chestpiece.


(25) Tie the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.


(26) Then make two more gold rings and attach them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod.


(27) And make two more gold rings and attach them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash is fastened to the ephod.


(28) Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod above the decorative sash.


(29) “In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart* when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord.


*heart: So Aaron will have the names of the tribes on his shoulders (verse 12) which bear the weight and symbol of office (see Isaiah 9:6; 22:22), and over his heart (implying that they have a constant place in his thoughts - Deut 6:6). Thus he was to enter the presence of God as the nation’s representative, ever mindful of the nation’s interests, and ever bringing the remembrance of it before God.


(30) Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord.


The Urim and Thummin


   "No one knows for sure what the Urim and Thummin were, but they were used to determine God's will. It is highly unlikely they were dice. One author, C. Van Dam in his book The Urim and Thummin, A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel , believes that the process involved a gem that verified through giving off light that the message given by the high priest was indeed from God. The Dead Sea Scrolls describes the Urim and Thummin -. "They shall give light to thee... with flashes of fire, when the left hand stone which is in his left hand side shall shine forth to the eyes of all the assembly until the priest finishes speaking..." Josephus’ account demonstrates that "whenever God assisted at the sacred ceremonies, the stones in the right shoulder began to shine..." He also demonstrates that Josephus claimed the flash of light was so brilliant that the entire army of Israel knew the answer. After discussing the various aspects of this, it is concluded that "the light and flashing were apparently not inherent in the physical material but were caused by divine intervention."


   "The Urum and Thummin may have been small metal objects or stones inscribed with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet based on the fact that the first letter of Urim (aleph) the the first letter of Thummin (tau) are the first and final letters of the Hebrew alphabet." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


(31) “Make the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue cloth,


(32) with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. Reinforce the opening with a woven collar so it will not tear.


   "According to the opinion of most scholars, the robe was a closed garment, seamlessly woven from one piece of fabric, and slipped on over the head. It was worn over the tunic; the tunic was longer than the robe by one handbreadth, so it was visible underneath the robe at the bottom. The opening at the neck was round, with a hem that was doubled over and closed by weaving-not by a needle. The garment hung down in front and in back, and its length extended all the way down to the priest's feet. There is a difference of opinion as to whether there were sleeves. The robe was fashioned exclusively from techelet, the sky-blue dyed wool, with no other material." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


   In John 19:2 and 19:23, as John describes the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion, the words of Exodus 28 come back to his mind. John the Apostle, as he describes the crucifixion of our Lord, is struck by the fact that the Roman soldiers placed on our Lord’s sore back and shoulders a robe of purple. Those Roman soldiers did it to mock Him, but John tells it to you because he knows that everyone who has read his Bible will know that around the ephod of the high priest of Israel was worn a robe of scarlet. And in the supreme irony, the persecutors of Christ had donned on Him the royal garment of High Priest for His people. But John’s not done with it yet, because when you look down to John 19:23, and John sees the soldiers struggling to part the tunic, the linen, the white linen tunic of Jesus which they had taken from His now naked body, they can’t separate it because it’s seamless. And John knows from Exodus 28:31-34 that the high priest’s robe was woven as a seamless tunic, and he’s pointing to Jesus as the High Priest of His people, even as these Roman soldiers taunt Him and attempt to divvy up His goods. John’s point is very obvious: Jesus is our great High Priest.


(33) Make pomegranates* out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.


*pomegranates: This must mean round balls of yarn that looked like pomegranates.


(34) The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.


   The bells speak of listening to God while in His service and the music of them brings a certain joy. The pomegranates speak of fruitfulness (abundant seeds) and are symbols of the Word of God as sweet and pleasant spiritual food. The sound of the bells could be heard when Aaron went into the Holy Place before the Lord, and the listening people would know that he had not been struck dead in God's presence, but that his offering on their behalf had been accepted by God. - The Priestly Garments: www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm



   "Decorative pomegranates made of sky-blue, dark-red and crimson dyed wool were attached to the lower hem of the robe (each thread of each of these materials being woven from 8 individual strands). The verse tells us that these pomegranates appeared together with golden bells. Some opinions interpret this verse to mean that the bells and pomegranates were interspersed alternatively, in between each other; another holds that the bells were placed inside the pomegranates. The hem of the robe was woven over doubly in order to prevent it from ripping due to the weight of the pomegranates and bells. Again, no sewing was used for this. These pomegranates were actually hollow spheres of fabric in the shape of pomegranates. We find a debate in the Talmud and other holy books as to whether there were 36, 70, or 72 pomegranates in all." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


(35) Aaron will wear this robe whenever he ministers before the Lord, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the Lord’s presence in the Holy Place. If he wears it, he will not die.


Biblical Robe Produced For Use by High Priest in Holy Temple
-
by Ezra HaLevi:

   "The blue coat, or me'il techelet as it is called in the Torah, sports 72 golden bells alternating with 72 pomegranates attached around its hem, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet wool. The project was researched and undertaken by skilled artisans over the past three years. It will join the already completed ephod and choshen (breastplate), featuring the 12 precious stones associated with the 12 tribes of Israel. They are located at the Temple Institute in Jerusalem's Old City, and it is hoped they will be found fit to be used by the High Priest in the third temple.


   "This is the first robe woven entirely out of techelet in nearly 2,000 years," Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute told Arutz-7. "Next week we shall begin to observe the holiday of Chanukah, which marks the rededication of the Second Temple in the days when the wicked King Antiochus rose up against the Jewish people with decrees meant to separate them from G-d and His Torah. Chanukah also marks the day when the original desert tabernacle was completed. Our sages emphasize that every year on Chanukah, when we kindle the festive lights, there's a sublime illumination of holy light that is released into the world - a continuation of the original hidden light of creation and a spark of the light of the holy Menorah in the Temple. Above all, Chanukah is the time of miracles and thanksgiving to G-d. The completion of this sacred garment marks a great step forward towards the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple." - www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/95175



(36) “Next make a medallion* of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord**.


*medallion: The word tsits seems to mean “a shining thing” and so here a plate of metal. It must have the sense of something worn openly, visible, and shining. The Rabbinic tradition says it was two fingers wide and stretched from ear to ear.


**Holy to the Lord or Holiness to the Lord. In the Millennium, it will be worn even on the bells of the horses - Zechariah 14:20.


Zechariah 14:20: On that day even the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with these words: Holy to the Lord...


   This was a constant reminder of holiness to the covenant people in Israel and to the High Priest in his calling , for the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. (Leviticus 19:2 ). By being marked, the High Priest typified the true inner holiness on the ground of which, alone, Israel could be accepted before God. He was truly the most important man on earth. The conspicuous position of the golden plate upon Aaron's forehead gave special meaning and character to all of his garments and to his office.- The Priestly Garments: www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm


(37) Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban*, where it must remain.




   Aaron's Turban: Miter is used by some Bible translations to translate the Hebrew word pronounced mits-neh-feth which was the name given to the Levitical High Priest's headdress, a long band of fine linen, wrapped around the head. - www.keyway.ca/htm2005/20050527.htm


   "The High Priest's turban was fashioned of a narrow strip of white linen, measuring 16 cubits (about 24 feet long). It was wound around the top of the priest's head after the manner in which one dresses a wound, wrapping the material lengthwise over and over.. Josephus maintains that a cap of sky-blue wool was placed over the High Priest's white linen turban. Over this cap, he continues, three horizontal gold bands were placed, topped off with a flower-shaped decoration. Thus the turban appeared like a crown, with an opening in front to allow for the placement of the tefillin and "crown"-the gold plate on his forehead. Many authorities hold that the ordinary priests' hat was exactly the same as that of the High Priest, except that the former's was wound on, and the latter's is simply placed on. Others maintain that the High Priest's is correctly called a turban because of its shape, whereas the hat of the ordinary priests was also wound around, but it had a conical shape upon the head." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


(38) Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.


   "The crown was a thin plate constructed of one piece of pure, solid gold. Unlike the crown worn by royalty on top of the head, this is worn across the forehead and extends from ear to ear. It was thin enough to arch across the forehead like a bow. Its width is described by Maimonides as 2 fingerbreadths, or about 1 1/2 inches. This crown was engraved with the words "Holy to the L-rd." At times, these words were written across two lines, and at times they were fit into one line. The Talmud provides the eye-witness testimony of Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Yose who saw the crown in Rome: "Rabbi Eliezer said: I saw the crown in Rome, and the words "Holy to the L-rd" were written in one line." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm



(39) “Weave Aaron’s patterned* tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban from this linen as well. Also make a sash, and decorate it with colorful embroidery.


*patterned - or checkered


   "The tunic clung close to the body and extended from the priest's neck, down to the feet, just above the heels (each tunic was made according to the priest's specific height and width). As it was one piece, it was donned by placing it over the head.


"Fine Weaving


   "The expression used by the Bible to describe the method for producing these garments is translated as an act of "fine weaving." The tunics of both the High Priest and the ordinary priests were woven completely from linen fabric, each thread of which was made of six strands. There was absolutely no sewing or seams involved here with the exception of the arm-length sleeves, which by necessity were woven separately and afterwards sewn on. The above garments distinguished the high priest from the other priests and they set forth the glories and beauties of our High Priest is is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." - www.templeinstitute.org/priestly_garments.htm


Clothing for Aaron's Sons


(40) “For Aaron’s sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings* that are glorious and beautiful.


*special head coverings: This refers to a band of linen wrapped around the head, forming something like a brimless convex cap, resembling something like a half egg. It refers to the headgear of ordinary priests only.


(41) Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint* and ordain them**. Consecrate them so they can serve as my priests.


*anoint: The instructions in this verse anticipate chapter 29, as well as the ordination ceremony described in Leviticus 8 and 9. The anointing of Aaron is specifically required in the Law, for he is to be the High Priest.


**ordain them: Hebrew fill their hand. As a result of this installation ceremony they will be officially designated for the work. It seems likely that the concept derives from the notion of putting the priestly responsibilities under their control (i.e., “filling their hands” with work). The expression “ordain them” might also be translated as “install them” or “consecrate them”; it literally reads “and fill their hands,” an expression for the consecration offering for priesthood in Leviticus 8:33. The final instruction to sanctify them will involve the ritual of the atoning sacrifices to make the priests acceptable in the sanctuary.


The Undergarments


(42) Also make linen undergarments for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from their hips to their thighs.


   The pants were for modesty. They went from the waist to the knees and tied with a lace. There where no openings in them other than the waist and the leg holes. The priests from many pagan religions performed at the altars of false gods while they were naked. The priests of the true and living God were to be modest in their attire.


(43) These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle* or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their priestly duties. Then they will not incur guilt and die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and all his descendants after him.


*Tabernacle: Hebrew Tent of Meeting.


   No shoes are mentioned. That’s because they minister before the Lord barefoot. When they were ministering before the Lord in the tabernacle, they were on holy ground. What did Moses do when he came before the burning bush and the presence of the Lord? He took off his shoes because he was on holy ground


   So the priests were to make intercession for the people, give decisions from God’s revealed will, enter his presence in purity, and represent holiness to Yahweh. The clothing of the priests provided for these functions, but in a way that brought honor and dignity. A priest was, therefore, to serve in purity, holiness, and fear. (Malachi).


Leviticus 8:4-9: So Moses followed the Lord’s instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance. Moses announced to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded us to do!” Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. He put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the Lord had commanded him.


Ezekiel 44:15-19: “However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord. They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements. “When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself. They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire. When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.



Ephesians 6: 13-18: Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.


Isaiah 59:17: He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.


I Thessalonians 5:8: But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.


   The Priests in the Book of Ezra wore specific apparel to carry out their ministry. It set them apart as someone special.


   Mordecai was given the king’s clothes to wear as he was paraded down the street. This signified the amount of thankfulness the king had for what Mordecai had done for him in saving his life. The clothing showed status.



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Monday, July 23, 2007

Exodus 27


Plans for the Altar of Burnt Offering


(1) “Using acacia wood, construct a square altar* 7½ feet wide, 7½ feet long, and 4½ feet high.


*altar: Hebrews 13:10: We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Our altar is the cross, where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus.

We lay down our lives on that same altar: Galatians 2:20 and 6:14: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me...As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.


   The size here matches that of altars discovered at Arad and Beersheba from the period of the Israelite monarchy.



(2) Make horns* for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar with bronze.


*horns: Exodus 29:12 - Put some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar.


   A number of biblical texts refer to altars with "horns" (Ex 29:12;37:25; Leviticus 4:7,18ff.; 8:15; 9:9; 16:18; 1 Kings 1:50f.; 2:28; Ps 118:27; Jeremiah 17:1; Ezekiel 43:15,20; Am 3:14). Horned altars have been found in several Israelite sites. The one at Tel Beersheba was reconstructed from stones uncovered as parts of other more recent buildings - the altar having been perhaps dismantled during a reform, such as those the Bible ascribes to Hezekiah and Josiah. It is large, approximately 5ft square.


   The horns of the altar were indispensable – they were the most sacred part. Blood was put on them; fugitives could cling to them, and the priests would grab the horns of the little altar when making intercessory prayer. They signified power, as horns on an animal did in the wild (and so the word was used for kings as well). The horns may also represent the sacrificial animals killed on the altar.


(3) Make ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans, all of bronze.


(4) Make a bronze grating for it, and attach four bronze rings at its four corners.


(5) Install the grating halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.


(6) For carrying the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.


(7) Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the altar.


   The poles are not left in the rings, but only put into the rings when they carried it.


(8) The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Build it just as you were shown on the mountain.


   This was the great altar for animal sacrifices. It was located at the entrance of the tabernacle, thus signifying that the shedding of blood is central to humanity’s approach to God. The altar typifies the cross, and the burnt offerings made on it typify Christ, who offered himself unblemished to God (Exodus 12:5; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19). -- Making the Tabernacle Chapters 25 - 27: www.wcg.org/lit/bible/law/exodus3.htm


   Man is standing on the outside. How can he approach God? The first thing he must have is a substitute to die for him. This is where God deals with the sinner. It speaks of the Cross of Christ and of the fact that He is actually the One who died in man's stead. The altar was made by man, but the pattern is in heaven. The Cross was God's chosen altar of sacrifice. There is no approach to God except by the brazen altar, as John 1:29 says: “...Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! It wasn't just the ordinary man who had to come to the altar - the priests too had to have their sins dealt with.


   Leviticus 1:1-17 gives details of this sacrifice:


The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the Lord, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. “If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord. Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the Lord will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. Then slaughter the young bull in the Lord’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the animal’s blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle. Then skin the animal and cut it into pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest will build a wood fire on the altar. They will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat, on the wood burning on the altar. But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.“If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the flock, it may be either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a male with no defects. Slaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the Lord’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar. Then cut the animal in pieces, and the priests will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat, on the wood burning on the altar. But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.“If you present a bird as a burnt offering to the Lord, choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon. The priest will take the bird to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. But first he must drain its blood against the side of the altar. The priest must also remove the crop and the feathers and throw them in the ashes on the east side of the altar. Then, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird open, but without tearing it apart. Then he will burn it as a burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.


Hebrews 10:1-18: The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God - as is written about me in the Scriptures.’ ”First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. ”Then he says, I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.


   Nothing is said about the top of the altar. Some commentators suggest, in view of the previous instruction for making an altar out of earth and stone, that when this one was to be used it would be filled up with dirt clods and the animal burnt on the top of that. If the animal was burnt inside it, the wood would quickly burn. A number of recent scholars think this was simply an imagined plan to make a portable altar after the pattern of Solomon’s – but that is an unsatisfactory suggestion. This construction must simply represent a portable frame for the altar in the courtyard, an improvement over the field altar. The purpose and function of the altar are not in question. Here worshipers would make their sacrifices to God in order to find forgiveness and atonement, and in order to celebrate in worship with him. No one could worship God apart from this; no one could approach God apart from this. So too the truths that this altar communicated form the basis and center of all Christian worship. One could word an applicable lesson this way: Believers must ensure that the foundation and center of their worship is the altar, i.e., the sacrificial atonement.


   The altar taught the Old Testament believer that communion required atonement/sacrifice. Let’s look at some lessons that we learned from each of them. First of all, in verses 1-8, the outer altar. The outer altar taught the Old Testament believer that communion required atonement. The outer altar taught the Old Testament believer that the only way into communion with God was through sacrifice. This outer altar was the very first thing that a worshipper would see when entering into the tabernacle courtyard. The altar visibly drove home the point to every worshiper in Israel for 1500 years that you could not come into God’s presence without sacrifice.


Plans for the Courtyard


(9) “Then make the courtyard* for the Tabernacle, enclosed with curtains** made of finely woven linen. On the south side, make the curtains 150 feet long.


*The courtyard: The curtains of fine linen surrounding the courtyard demonstrate that righteousness is required for true worship (Revelation 19:8). They prevent access to anyone who does not come in by the entrance. The entrance of the tabernacle represents Jesus Christ. As our "gate," he is our access to God by virtue of his redemptive work (John 10:7-9). -- Making the Tabernacle: www.wcg.org/lit/bible/law/exodus3.htm The courtyard demarcated sacred space to the worshipers but also separated classes of people. Herod’s temple had four courtyards. There was a courtyard for the priests. There was a courtyard for Jewish males. There was a courtyard for Jewish females. And then there was a courtyard called the courtyard of the Gentiles. And these courts were separated by dividing walls. And Josephus tells that there was even a signed warning that if Gentiles entered into any of the other courts they would face death.

Ephesians 2:14:14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (KJV)


**curtains: The tabernacle coverings, frames, curtain ("veil," NKJV) and outer curtain: The veil of the tabernacle separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the inner sanctuary where the ark of the covenant was located. The veil represents humanity’s separation from the presence of God, which ended when Christ was crucified. At the moment of Christ’s death, the veil was "torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51). Although the Old Testament high priest could go behind the veil only once a year, Christ, as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12), provides continual access to the presence of God to everyone who enters "by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain [veil], that is, his body" (Hebrews 10:20). -- Making the Tabernacle: www.wcg.org/lit/bible/law/exodus3.htm


(10) They will be held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings.


(11) Make the curtains the same on the north side—150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings.


(12) The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases.


(13) The east end of the courtyard, the front, will also be 75 feet long.


(14) The courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22½ feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.


(15) The curtain on the left side will also be 22½ feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.


(16) “For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long. Make it from finely woven linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Support it with four posts, each securely set in its own base.


(17) All the posts around the courtyard must have silver* rings and hooks and bronze bases.


*Silver (a metal illustrating redemption) was the foundation for the tent of meeting. It was also the top - the most visible part - of the pillars surrounding the courtyard. But the courtyard fence hung on a foundation of refined bronze - the judgment Jesus took in our place.


(18) So the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7½ feet high, made from finely woven linen. The bases for the posts will be made of bronze.


(19) “All the articles used in the rituals of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze.


   The entire courtyard of 150 feet by 75 feet was to be enclosed by a curtain wall held up with posts in bases. All these hangings were kept in place by a cord and tent pegs.


   The tabernacle is an important aspect of OT theology. The writer’s pattern so far has been: ark, table, lamp, and then their container (the tabernacle); then the altar and its container (the courtyard). The courtyard is the place of worship where the people could gather – they entered God’s courts. Though the courtyard may not seem of much interest to current readers, it did interest the Israelites. Here the sacrifices were made, the choirs sang, the believers offered their praises, they had their sins forgiven, they came to pray, they appeared on the holy days, and they heard from God. It was sacred because God met them there; they left the “world” (figuratively speaking) and came into the very presence of God.


Light for the Tabernacle


(20) “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil* of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.


*oil : The fine olive oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). Clear olive oil produces little smoke and gives off better light.


(21) The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation.


   This perpetually burning lamp reminds us of the divine presence. Think of it, friends, the people never, ever, would have seen within the veil into the holy of holies. Once the tabernacle is constructed, once the tent is set up, nobody but one priest, once a year, sees inside the holy of holies. But outside that holy of holies, in front of the closed veil, in front of the closed curtains, sits a lamp.


   That lamp visibly reminds the people of the presence of God. The symbolism of this continually refueled lamp seems to point to the presence of the unseen God. And John picks up on this theme in Revelation chapter 22, verse 5. Do you remember what he says? He’s commenting on the superiority of the new heavens, and the new earth, and the New Jerusalem, which has been brought down by God, and this is what he says, “There will no longer be any night and they will not have need of the light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them and they will reign forever and forever.” In other words, John is saying they will experience the very presence of the glorious God. They will not need a lamp to represent Him. They will not need a lamp to remind them of the divine presence. They will not need a lamp to lighten their eyes. They will experience the presence, the very presence of the glorious God. And so even the lamp, this light before the ark and the tabernacle, points to the glory to come. These are three things which we ourselves can benefit from as we study the tabernacle together. -- Exodus - First Presbyterian Church of Jackson: www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/exodus/Exodus%20Vol%205%20&%206/




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