The tabernacle would soon become the center of worship for the Israelites and the place where God would dwell among His people. Since the children of Israel were still on their journey from Egypt (Exodus 12) to the land of Canaan, the tabernacle was portable and would accompany them through their wilderness wanderings. God provided very specific instructions to Moses concerning the tabernacle and its furnishings which included the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22), the table of showbread (Exodus 25:23-30), and the golden lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40; 27:20-21). All of these items were contained inside the tabernacle (Holy Place and Holy of Holies), but God also described two furnishings which were to be placed in the outer court of the tabernacle (Exodus 27:9-19): the altar of burnt offering/bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8) and the bronze basin (Exodus 30:17-21). The altar of burnt offering was used for animal sacrifice and the bronze basin was used by the priests to cleanse their hands and feet before performing their duties in the tabernacle. Failure to use the bronze basin would result in the death of the priest (30:20-21).
God also instructed Moses to make Aaron and his sons priests and clothe them with priestly garments which are described in Exodus 28. The priests were to wear the ephod (Exodus 28:5-14), the breastplate of judgment (Exodus 28:15-30), and other priestly garments (Exodus 28:31-43). The ephod was a two-piece outer garment which covered the priest’s upper body and was fastened together at the shoulders by straps as well as onyx tones. The two onyx stones were to be engraved with the
names of the twelve tribes of Israel – six names on one stone and six names on the other stone in order of their birth (28:9-10). The breastplate of judgment was to contain twelve stones with each one engraved with the name of a tribe from Israel (28:15-30). This garment would symbolize the priest’s intercession on behalf of Israel. The breastplate was folded in half and contained the Urim and the Thummim. Although the Urim and Thummim’s material cannot be identified, the objects helped determine matters which needed great discernment (see Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 30:7-8; Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65). The other priestly garments included a robe (28:31-35), a turban (28:36-38), a tunic/sash (28:39-42). God declared that these garments “…shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him” (28:43). These words emphasize the importance of the priestly duties before God and the people of Israel. The priests were to practice their duties with preciseness and be certain that their approach to God was reverent.
Dear God, may I always approach You with reverence and fear knowing that You are holy and worthy of my worship.
