Exodus 39:1-43
Q.1. What were the garments of Aaron like? How were the Israelites represented in God’s presence? How did the High Priest’s garments reflect his role? Why were the garments made this way? – (Exo.39:1-26)
The tunic of the High Priest who ministered in the Holy Place stood out for its beauty. It was made by skilled craftsmen – 2 … of gold, and of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen. 3 Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material, and the fine linen (Exo.39:2-3 c.f. Exo.28:2, 40). Everything was made – just as the Lord had commanded Moses (Exo.39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 31). This was because they were – a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God … that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain (Heb.8:5). The High Priest carried the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his shoulders – 6 They made the onyx stones, set in gold filigree settings; they were engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. 7 And he placed them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as memorial stones for the sons of Israel (Exo.39:6-7 c.f. Exo.28:9-12; Lk.15:5). Additionally, the tribes were further represented on the breast piece over his heart – The stones were corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they were twelve, corresponding to their names, engraved with the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes (Exo.39:14 c.f. Exo.28:15–16). Every tribe had its own unique birth stone (Exo.39:10-13 c.f. Exo.28:17-21). The garments of the High Priest pointed to the role of our great High Priest, Who represents us in the presence of our holy God (c.f. Isa.49:16; Rom.8:31-34; Heb.4:14-16).
Q.2. How did the priests’ robes differ from that of the High Priest? What was over the foreheads of the Priests? Why? How superior is the priestly role of Jesus for us today? – (Exo.39:27-31)
The other priests learned to minister as they assisted the High Priest. Their garments were beautifully made of the same quality as the High Priest’s garments. However, the stones and engravings which represented the twelve tribes, and the Urim and Thummim, were only carried by the High Priest (Exo.28:29-30; 39:6-7 & 14). A plate of gold was attached to their turbans – of pure gold and inscribed like the engravings of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord’ (Exo.39:30). This provided a constant reminder of the awesome role the priests fulfilled on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel. However, their role could not compare with the ministry carried out by our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus – 23 The Levitical priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb.7:23-27). How grateful should we believers be, to have such a vastly superior High Priest Who intercedes for us.
Q.3. Who supervised the making of the priestly robes, and also of the Tabernacle? Who gave the original designs? Why did Moses examine the finished product? – (Exo.39:32-43)
The design and the making of the priestly robes, and also the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, were all done under the supervision of Bezalel and Oholiab (Exo.38:22-23 c.f. Exo.36:1-2; 39:1-31). They were ably assisted by gifted men and women (Exo.35:25-26, 30-35; 36:1-2). All was completed – and all the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did (Exo.39:32 c.f. Exo.39:41-42). Moses would not have known that the significance of the priestly garments and of the Tabernacle would be revealed and fulfilled in the High Priestly role of Jesus. c.f. Heb.8:1-2; 9:23-24). However, God had impressed it upon Moses that everything had to be done exactly as He had commanded (Exo.39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 31, 42-43 c.f. Heb.8:5). For that reason – Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them (Exo.39:43).