Exodus 27:20-28:14
~15 min read
đź’ Consider this: How should your status as a kind of priest in God’s holy nation (1 Peter 2:9) dictate the manner in which you worship and serve God, both inside and outside His church?
TRANSCRIPT
Our text for tonight's message is taken from Exodus 27:20 to 28:14. We have been studying the construction of the Tabernacle: the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, and the furniture that was in the Tabernacle, including the tent, the court, and the altar, which were outside. Essentially, the Tabernacle was the place where the people came to meet God. It was the place where sacrifices were made, but the people did not do those things on their own. In other words, it was not self-service. Those sacred services were performed by holy men called by God, and those holy men who served in the Tabernacle were the priests.
Up to this point, the Bible did not say much about the priests and their duties. However, from how the Tabernacle was constructed and furnished, we can have a good idea of what the priests did. The priests were responsible for making the bread and putting it on the Table of Shewbread. They were responsible for keeping the light of the golden candlestick, and they were also responsible for offering sacrifices on the altar, which was outside in the courtyard. Only the high priest alone was responsible for offering the blood on the Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place.
In this section, God turned His attention to the priests, and this is what we want to learn from this passage. The title of our message is ”Who Can Represent Us Before God?” I would like to divide this message into three parts: the calling, the setting apart, and the ultimate reality.
I. The Calling
Beginning with the calling, Exodus 27:20 says: "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten”—which means clear oil derived from pressed olives—”for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” This oil was used for the golden lampstand. Verse 21: “In the Tabernacle of the congregation without the vail,”—which means in the Holy place outside the veil—”which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel."
Two important lessons we can learn here. Firstly, Aaron was from the tribe of Levi, and his sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Aaron was the father of the priesthood, the first of a long line of priests that would follow. Notice that Aaron and his sons did not claim the office of priest for themselves; it was God who called and appointed them. There was no such thing as a self-appointed priest.
The same principle applies to us today in the church. There are no self-appointed pastors, elders, deacons, or preachers. When God calls a person to serve as an office bearer, He first gives them an inward call. But how do we know whether this inward call is truly from God or just an emotional feeling or excitement due to some spiritual victories or answered prayers? Well, it has to be confirmed through the prayerful considerations of the spiritual leaders—the elders of the church. Just like in the case of Aaron, who did not volunteer himself to become a high priest, he was called and appointed by God and confirmed by God speaking through His servant Moses.
Having said that, there is no absolute guarantee that the wrong person cannot be confirmed and appointed. Sometimes we do make mistakes because people can tick all the boxes and answer all the questions correctly but are not truly called. Needless to say, this has caused tremendous problems for many churches. However, these are the biblical, necessary steps we ought to take to ascertain and confirm the appointments of office bearers and full-time workers. Prayerfully, this process will protect the sanctity, purity, harmony, and unity of the church.
Secondly, notice the light on the golden lampstand had to be kept burning. Remember, the golden lampstand symbolises life and light. It was constructed in the shape of a tree, and the flame had to be kept burning all the time. There was never a moment that the light would be extinguished, so the priest had to trim the lights, replenish the oil, and make sure that it was always shining—24 hours a day, from evening to morning.
In order for that to happen, the priest had to be in the Tabernacle attending to the flame, and that service in itself was an act of worship. In other words, someone was always worshipping God in His holy Sanctuary—not just in the daytime, but throughout the night. As long as the light was shining, it meant someone was ministering and worshipping God at all times. That was why the psalmist said the people's hearts were filled with great joy when they thought of this important truth, and they sang: "Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD” (Psalm 134:1–2).
Dear friend, this is a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. Heaven is a place where God is being worshipped by all the saints who have gone to glory. It is the place where the angels are singing with great joy before His throne, and it is the place where you and I will be singing and worshipping God forever and ever. One day, when we enter into Heaven, our heavenly worship will never come to an end.
Today, as we live our lives on this Earth, we worship God whenever we come to church—like on the Lord's Day or during a prayer meeting like this. It may appear as if our worship is not continuous, in the sense that the worship service begins and then ends, and we go about doing other things, attending to our family and personal matters. Then we return to the worship service again, and it ends, and this cycle seems to go on and on with much disruption.
While that may be the case, it need not be that way. Our worship can be continuous, and the fire can be kept burning all the time. Do you know how our worship of God can be continuous, and the fire kept burning all the time, without disruption? Remember, 1 Corinthians 6:19 says: "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?" And 1 Peter 2:9 declares: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
This means you are the temple or the Tabernacle of God; you are the priests of God. As we live our lives in this body, which is the temple of God, bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, when our thoughts are always attending to the things of God, when our speech is always focused on His righteousness, when our actions are always committed to His glory, when we live our lives with this one purpose—and one purpose only—to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever, our life, our entire being, whatever we do, say, or think, is an act of worship.
When you and I live such a life, it is an act of worship, and we let this light continue to shine until the day God calls us home, whether by death or by the Rapture. Then, this light will continue to shine as we worship in His holy presence forever and ever. This is what you and I must do. This is why Romans 12:1 says: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
When we consider this truth—that our life, our entire being, ought to be an act of worship—it will determine our decisions and choices. It will also determine the paths we take. We will always be considering: How can my goals, my aspirations, my ambitions, glorify my God? How can I continue to shine for the One who died on the cross and shed His precious blood to save me from eternal damnation? This is how we should live our lives. Our worship can be continuous; our light can continuously burn and shine if our entire being is an act of worship.
II. The Setting Apart
Let us move on to our second point: the setting apart. Look at Exodus 28:1–3: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom,”—referring to the Craftsman whom God would use to make the garments—”that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."
The word ”consecrate” means holy, sacred, or set apart. In other words, this garment that Aaron wore as he went about with the duties in the Tabernacle was meant to set him apart for the sacred duties. God was sacred, and everything pertaining to His worship had to be sacred as well, including the garments.
From Exodus 28:4–5, God went on to describe the garment. Firstly, there was the breastplate, which was attached to the ephod. The ephod was a long, sleeveless vest—something like an apron—and it was suspended by shoulder straps. It was the outer garment; underneath, Aaron would wear a robe, a coat or tunic. Then there would also be a headdress and a girdle or belt which tied the ephod around the waist.
The breastplate was adorned with precious stones. Interestingly, this garment had the same colours and materials as the Tabernacle: gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. Most likely, since both the priests and the Tabernacle pointed to God, the same colours and materials were used. There were two precious stones attached to the shoulder straps of the ephod, and the most important thing was what was written on them. Inscribed on the two stones were twelve names—six on each stone—the names of the sons of Jacob.
Remember, at this point in time, the children of Israel were camping in the wilderness. They were living in tents, with three tribes camping at each of the four corners. In the centre was the Tabernacle—the tent where God was. When the high priest entered the Tabernacle, he wore the garment with the twelve names of Israel on his shoulders. He was representing the people before God when he offered the sacrifices. In a spiritual and symbolic sense, he was carrying Israel on his shoulders, representing that the sacrifices were made for the people. That was why, in Exodus 28:12, God said: "And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial." So much for the description of the garments.
Now, I’d like to draw your attention back to Exodus 28:2: "And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty." Notice three important words used to describe the significance of the garment: holy, glory, and beauty. The word ”holy” means consecrated or set apart. It speaks of the priestly duties as a holy calling. The word ”glory” literally means weighty; it speaks of the gravity of the priestly calling. The word ”beauty” speaks of the magnificence of the calling.
Remember, the priest was called and appointed by God to serve Him, and the garments he wore were meant to reflect the divine nature of God. God is holy—set apart in His purity. God is glorious—working all things for His glory, and no one and nothing can ever fully comprehend His beauty. That was why the Psalmist said in Psalm 27:4: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." These three attributes of God were essential as we consider the worship of God. That is also why, in Psalm 29:2, the Psalmist included these three attributes of God in this matter of worship: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Holy, glory, and beauty.
Dear friend, what can we learn from here today? Our pastors do not wear the same garments as the priests in those days. Although our clothes may not reflect the divine attributes of God as in His holiness, glory, and beauty, we still need to be decent and modest. But the essence of our worship still does. That is why our invocation, our prayers, our singing of hymns, our preaching, our doxology—the entire order of worship—must be focused on these three vital elements of God’s holiness, glory, and beauty.
When we come to church, we are entering into God’s holy presence. When we preach, we preach about the glorious things God has done. When we sing, we sing about the beauty of our Creator. Our hearts and minds must be consumed with God’s holiness, glory, and beauty. I urge all of you: the next time you come for worship, consider these three vital attributes of God in your worship—His holiness, His glory, and His beauty.
III. The Ultimate Reality
So, the high priest represented the people before God, and he wore this special garment to reflect who God was. But there was one problem—the high priest himself was a sinner. No matter how magnificent his garments were, no matter how holy, glorious, and beautiful they appeared, they could not hide the sin in his heart. That was why the high priest had to first offer a sacrifice for his own sins before he could offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. The sacrifices he offered were not perfect, nor were they permanent. He had to keep going back to the Tabernacle again and again to make sacrifices—both for his own sins and for the sins of the people.
To enter into the glorious presence of God required perfect holiness, and all the high priests fell short of this standard. None of the high priests in Israel were able to live up to God’s standard. Later on, the Bible records how Aaron sinned by leading the people to worship the golden calf. His sons, Nadab and Abihu, sinned by offering strange fire upon God’s altar, and they were destroyed. Eli sinned by failing to discipline his sons, and they were struck down on the same day. The list goes on and on. None were able to live up to God’s standard.
There were three main offices in the Old Testament: prophet, priest, and king. The prophet was someone who spoke God’s Word. The priest was someone who went into God’s presence to make atonement for sins. The king was someone who ruled with God’s authority. Fundamentally, all these three offices were essential for the life, survival, and success of the nation. Whenever the people had faithful prophets, holy priests, and godly kings, the nation of God’s people flourished.
Sadly, that was not always the case. Sometimes, they had a faithful prophet who had to deal with an ungodly king. At other times, they had a good king who was undermined by corrupted priests. Yet, at other times, they had a virtuous priest who was constantly attacked by wicked kings and false prophets. Eventually, the situation became so bad that the entire nation was led into exile. The prophet Hosea prophesied in Hosea 3:4: "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim." For centuries, there were no more priests—no one to wear the priestly garments with the ephod, no one to bear their names before God, no one to offer sacrifices for their sins.
Until finally, God sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfilled these three offices—prophet, priest, and king—in one person. Jesus was perfect and without sin. The beauty of His holiness and glory was beyond words. Unlike all the other high priests, He did not need to offer any sacrifice for His own sins, for He had none. Unlike all the other high priests, He did not need to make sacrifices day after day. For when He died on the cross and shed His precious blood, He paid the penalty for sins once and for all, never to be repeated.
Unlike all the other priests, He did not need to wear the ephod, the breastplate, the headdress, and so forth, to reflect the beauty of His holiness and glory. He Himself was the glory of God. He was God manifested in human form. He came in the flesh, and He was “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Unlike all the other priests, He did not only carry the nation of Israel on His shoulders; He carried the sins of all His people—both Jews and Gentiles—including you and me.
After He accomplished the work of atonement, the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was torn in two, signifying that there was no longer any need for the office of the high priest. Today, we no longer need to go to priests, pastors, elders, Mary, the apostles, or any other mediators to represent us before God. We go to Jesus Christ directly. He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for you and me.
Dear friend, who can represent us before God? Do we still need someone to represent us before God? No! We only need one person and one person only, and that is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14–16 says: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
If you have Jesus, praise be to God! He is your great high priest. You go to Him directly. He knows you better than you know yourself, and He is able to help you. He not only wants you to come to Him directly, but He wants you to come to Him boldly, confidently, with no doubts or confusion. He hears your prayers, and He will answer you. You will find mercy and grace that will help you in your time of need. Do you believe Him? If you believe Him, then turn to Him and Him alone—no one else. Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven, as we consider Thy Tabernacle in the book of Exodus, there are so many wonderful lessons we can learn, especially when we study the Tabernacle and what it represents as described and explained to us in the New Testament through our Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord, there are so many wonderful truths we can learn and apply in our lives. We thank Thee that we have one Great High Priest who is now seated at Thy right hand, and He is none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We go to Him directly. We do not need anyone else to represent us before Thee. Only Jesus alone is sufficient. We come before Thee boldly—not because of what we have done or have not done—but because of our faith in what Jesus has done for us on the cross of Calvary. We come before Thee without hesitation, without doubts, and with full confidence that Thou wilt hear and answer our prayers. For those who are still lingering outside Thy kingdom, O Lord, be gracious and merciful unto them. We know that no one saves but Jesus.
They may have turned to many mediators, but none of these can save them. We pray that Thou will convict their hearts through the preaching of Thy Word and through the wonder-working of Thy Spirit, that they may understand this important truth—that no one can represent us before Thee except Thy only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May Thou use us as instruments to reach out to our unbelieving loved ones and friends. May we declare the truth of the gospel boldly, that they too may come to know the joy of salvation in Christ. We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE BOOK OF EXODUSGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassExodus 1:1-7
From Prosperity to PersecutionFrom Prosperity to PersecutionExodus 1:8-14
God’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesGod’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesExodus 1:15-21
The Faith of JochebedThe Faith of JochebedExodus 1:22-2:10
Moses in EgyptMoses in EgyptExodus 2:11-15
Moses in the Desert of MidianMoses in the Desert of MidianExodus 2:16-25
Moses and the Burning BushMoses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-9
Who Are You?Who Are You?Exodus 3:10-15
Who Am I?Who Am I?Exodus 3:10-15
God’s Message to Israel and EgyptGod’s Message to Israel and EgyptExodus 3:16-22
What If They Still Don’t Believe?What If They Still Don’t Believe?Exodus 4:1-9
Send Someone ElseSend Someone ElseExodus 4:10-17
Moses’ Return to EgyptMoses’ Return to EgyptExodus 4:18-20
When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseWhen Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseExodus 5:10-21
When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesWhen We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesExodus 5:22-6:5
Having to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceHaving to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceExodus 6:6-12
Faithful or UnfaithfulFaithful or UnfaithfulExodus 6:13-27
What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceWhat God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceExodus 6:28-7:7
The First Plague - The River of BloodThe First Plague - The River of BloodExodus 7:14-25
The Second Plague - The FrogsThe Second Plague - The FrogsExodus 8:1-15
The Third PlagueThe Third PlagueExodus 8:16-19
The Fourth PlagueThe Fourth PlagueExodus 8:20-32
The Fifth PlagueThe Fifth PlagueExodus 9:1-7
The Sixth PlagueThe Sixth PlagueExodus 9:8-12
The Seventh PlagueThe Seventh PlagueExodus 9:13-35
The Eighth PlagueThe Eighth PlagueExodus 10:1-20
The Tenth PlagueThe Tenth PlagueExodus 11:1-10
The First PassoverThe First PassoverExodus 12:1-13
The Feast of the Unleavened BreadThe Feast of the Unleavened BreadExodus 12:14-28
Departure From EgyptDeparture From EgyptExodus 12:29-42
This Do In Remembrance of MeThis Do In Remembrance of MeExodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12
Redemption and ConsecrationRedemption and ConsecrationExodus 13:1-2, 11-16
Precious Lord, Take My HandPrecious Lord, Take My HandExodus 13:17-22
Between the Desert and the Red SeaBetween the Desert and the Red SeaExodus 14:1-14
Crossing the Red SeaCrossing the Red SeaExodus 14:15-31
The Song of PraiseThe Song of PraiseExodus 15:1-21
Will You Obey Or Not?Will You Obey Or Not?Exodus 15:22-27
The Danger of a Complaining SpiritThe Danger of a Complaining SpiritExodus 16:1-3
God’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsGod’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsExodus 16:1-10
The Test of FaithThe Test of FaithExodus 16:11-20
Lessons About the SabbathLessons About the SabbathExodus 16:21-36
Do Not Test GodDo Not Test GodExodus 17:1-17
Lift Up Your HandsLift Up Your HandsExodus 17:8-16
The Blessedness of ReunionThe Blessedness of ReunionExodus 18:1-12
Why Do We Have Leaders?Why Do We Have Leaders?Exodus 18:13-27
I Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsI Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsExodus 19:1-6
Approach God Fearlessly or FearfullyApproach God Fearlessly or FearfullyExodus 19:7-15
God Reached Out And SpokeGod Reached Out And SpokeExodus 19:16-25
Thou Shalt Have No Other GodsThou Shalt Have No Other GodsExodus 20:1-3
Thou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesThou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesExodus 20:4-6
Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameThou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameExodus 20:7
Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayThou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayExodus 20:8-11
Honour Thy Father And Thy MotherHonour Thy Father And Thy MotherExodus 20:12
Thou Shalt Not KillThou Shalt Not KillExodus 20:13
Thou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryThou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryExodus 20:14
Thou Shalt Not StealThou Shalt Not StealExodus 20:15
Thou Shalt Not LieThou Shalt Not LieExodus 20:16
Thou Shalt Not CovetThou Shalt Not CovetExodus 20:17
The Response To The Ten CommandmentsThe Response To The Ten CommandmentsExodus 20:18-21
How God Wants Us To Worship HimHow God Wants Us To Worship HimExodus 20:22-26
Why Would God Allow Slavery?Why Would God Allow Slavery?Exodus 21:1-11
The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeExodus 21:12-17
The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeExodus 21:18-36
The Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsThe Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsExodus 22:1-15
The Character Of GodThe Character Of GodExodus 22:16-20
Reaching Out To The Down-And-OutReaching Out To The Down-And-OutExodus 22:21-24
The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodThe Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodExodus 22:25-31
Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthTruth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthExodus 23:1-9
Remember Who God IsRemember Who God IsExodus 23:10-19
What Must We Do To Have VictoryWhat Must We Do To Have VictoryExodus 23:20-33
How We Ought To Worship GodHow We Ought To Worship GodExodus 24:1-4, 7
On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?Exodus 24:4-8
Responding To God’s InvitationResponding To God’s InvitationExodus 24:9-18
The Right Attitude Of GivingThe Right Attitude Of GivingExodus 25:1-8
There I Will Meet YouThere I Will Meet YouExodus 25:9-22
Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Exodus 25:23-30
Let Your Light So Shine Before MenLet Your Light So Shine Before MenExodus 25:31-40
The Veil That SeparatesThe Veil That SeparatesExodus 26:1-37
A Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandA Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandExodus 27:1-19
Who Can Represent Us Before God?Who Can Represent Us Before God?Exodus 27:20-28:14
How Can We Know God’s Will?How Can We Know God’s Will?Exodus 28:15-30
Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?Exodus 28:31-43
If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceIf Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceExodus 33:12-23
