EXODUS
CHAPTER
28
1. Then bring near to you your brother Aaron, and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve me as priests- Aaron and Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
(Exodus chapter 28 verse 1)
There are moments when God chooses people to serve in His presence as in the case of Aaron and his sons. I made a similar experience when God had given me a call, however the call in the end was not to live according to the rule of a religious order. After having had lived two years in a convent with the friars of St. Augustine God showed me that this was not the life that He had chosen for me. Although I had been called I was not to be amongst the chosen ones. God had something special for me that corresponded with me and the skills and the abilities that He has given me in order to help others. Throughout my life God gave me many calls that I responded too but still a call is not like when one is chosen. I was called to go to university and enrol in the four year course of a social worker, however God did not choose me to be a social worker. God wanted me to learn the skills of the social worker in order to help others. Although I ended up working as a social worker this was not to be my call in life. God wanted me to be married and I responded to this call, God wants me to be free of my past, my hurts and start living again according to His will. God gave me the call to spread His Word and not mine by means of this blog to the far ends of the globe for all to view and pray on. This is my new calling that of evangelising in the sense of spreading His Word. I pray to God that He continues to give me insights in order to share with others so that, others will also share the loving experience of God. God wanted me to scrap the original version of chapter 28 in order for me to be able to share this message with all readers. If God is calling you today say 'Yes" take Him at His Word you will not be sorry I guarantee it.
2. You shall make sacred vestments for the glorious adornment of your brother Aaron. 3. And you shall speak to all who have ability, whom I have endowed with skill, that they make Aaron's vestments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 2 and 3)
God gives particular skills to particular people whom He chooses to be instruments in His hands. What lacks is our response to his calling.
4. These are the vestments that they shall make: a brestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban, and a sash. When they make these sacred vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests, 5. they shall use gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine linen.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 4 to 5)
God ordered the sons of Israel to make particular articles that in themselves were to become special because they were to be consecrated to God. Moreover the person who was to wear such vestments was also to be esteemed as being special because that person in our case Aaron and his sons were called to administer and give service to God and His people. Therefore even though there has been a shower of reports and accusations world wide of abuses committed by priests and archbishops, we are still to respect such people, because they have been called and chosen by God to carry out a special and therefore particular role in the kingdom of God.
6. They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen, skillfully worked. 7. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8. The decorated band on it shall be of the same workmanship and materials, of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 6 to 8)
According to verses 6 to 8, in order to make the ephod the persons would need to be skilled in the art of making such a delicate article. In order to be able to have an idea of what the ephod looked like please click on the following link which gives us a detailed exhibit of the ephod and other vestments that we will be referring to:
The ephod
9. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10. six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11. As a gem-cutter engrave signets, so you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; you shall mount them in settings of gold filigree. 12. You shall set the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13. You shall make settings of gold filigree, and two chains of pure gold twisted like cords, and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 9 to 14)
As much as God told Aaron to have the names of the sons of Israel engraved on stones and placed on the shoulder pads of the ephod, Jesus in the New Testament tells us that He has engraved our names on the palm of His hands. Engraving on stones requires only effort by the user, but engraving on skin means both pain effort and extreme love. Therefore this all shows God's love for us.
In order to view the onyx stones please click on the following link and refer to the curious girdle of the ephod as illustrated in the same link:
The Ony Stones
15. You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work; you shall make it in the style of the ephod; of gold, of blue and purple and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen you shall make it. 16. It shall be square and doubled, a span in length and a span in width. 17. You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald shall be the first row; 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a moonstone; 19. and the third row a jacinth, an and agate, and an amethyst; 20. and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21. There shall be twelve stones with names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 15 to 21)
In order to have a closer and more detailed view of the breastpiece please click on the following links:
Breastpiece Onyx stones and Ephod
Breastpiece and Onyx stones
Every time the high priest appeared before God he would bear on his self the responsibility of the sons of Israel on his shoulders as found in the stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, and his love for them on the breastpiece which was to be worn on the user's heart. During the time of the passion Jesus claimed full responsibility for our sins that were placed on the cross that painfully rested on His shoulders and had our names engraved on His heart and scarred hands with which He carried the cross in order to ensure our redemption.
22. You shall make for the breastpiece chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; 23. and you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 24 You shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece, 25. the two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings, and so attach it in front of the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 26. You shall make two rings of gold and put them at the two ends of the bresstpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27. You shall make two rings of gold and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod, at its joining, above the decorated band of the ephod. 28. The breastpiece shall be bound by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it may lie on the decorated band of the ephod, and so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 22 to 28)
In order to have an idea of what the biblical author is in much detail referring to i invite you to click on the following link which gives us a very detail and thoroughly explained visual representation of the ephod breastpiece and its settings:
Ephod and Breast piece
Detailed description of garments
In order to compare the vestments of the High Priest as depicted in the Old Testament with the vestments of the Priest as we commonly know him please click on the following links which are very detailed and interesting and highly significant (I learnt alot from them):
Vestments of the Priest part 1
Vestments of the Priest part 2
Liturgical mass vestments
29. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgement on his heart when he goes into the holy place, for a continual remembrance before the LORD. 30. In the breastpiece of judgement you shall put the Urim and the |Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; thus Aaron shall bear the judgement of the Israelites on his heart before the LORD continually.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 29 to 30)
As Aaron bore the names of Israel on his heart, the priest has the responsibility of his congregation. Moreover God has the love and judgement of all His sons and daughters and we are always in His sight.
31. You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it may not be torn. 33. On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around- 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. 35. Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes out, so that he may not die.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 31 to 35)
With reference to the bells and the pomegranates please refer to the following link and slide the bar in the video to this time 32:00 to 37.01
Bells and pomegranates on hem of robe
As referred to by our source, when Aaron moved in and out from near the presence of God he made noise with the bells. As Christians or followers of Jesus, we are also to make noise, in the sense that our worship and testimony must be heard. We are to be active followers of Jesus and not passive.
36. You shall make a rosette of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, "Holy to the LORD." 37. You shall fasten it on the turban with a blue cord; it shall be on the front of the turban. 38. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take on himself any guilt incurred in the holy offering that the Israelites consecrate as their sacred donations; it shall always be on his forehead, in order that they may find favor before the LORD.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 36 to 38)
On going back on our reflection on chapter 28 of the book of Exodus, we can note that Aaron as high priest, was entrusted with the responsibility of the sons and daughters of Israel as signified by the stones on his shoulders, his love and remembrance of them on his heart when wearing the breastpiece, and now we find that Aaron was entrusted with the responsibility or any errors that should take place doing the offering of sacrifices to God. In order for Aaron to always keep God in his heart and mind that would help him in the carrying out his responsibility of High Priest Aaron was to wear a special turban that had inscribed on it the words 'Holy to the LORD'.
As Christians or followers of Jesus by one or other denomination group, church or cult it would be nice of us to wear an image such as a wooden cross or maybe one of different material in order to help us remember that as people of God forming part of God's universal priesthood we are also consecrated to Him.
39. You shall make the checkered tunic of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40. For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics and sashes and headdresses; you shall make them for their glorious adornment. 41. You shall put them on your brother Aaron, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve me as priests.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 39 to 41)
Although the biblical author as inspired by the Holy Spirit of God did not give us much detail regarding the garments worn by the sons of Aaron who were to be consecrated as priests, nonetheless these garments were still very important. Although as laity we are not priests or high priests we still have an important role to play in the Holy Body of Christ on earth. If everybody carries out ones role, to ones ability with the grace and help of God the body will work in perfect order, however if the body becomes fragmented as in the offshoot of many cults and churches the performance may not be the same. All of the offshoots may experience God in worship and in praise in their own ways and forms of worship and God bless all to keep on giving worship! however I can only imagine how beautiful we all would be really and genuinely united under one Shepherd that is God according to His instructions as transmitted by the Roman Catholic Church.
I sincerely believe my God that even though there exists differences in interpretation of your word, and differences in acknowledging the pope and his role, and moreover the Roman Catholic Church as being the body of Christ on earth, with all the responsibilities and duties entrusted to it we still all believe in one God who is our loving father and may we all remain with this conviction of faith for all of our lives because ultimately this is what really matters. May we all be convinced in what and whom we believe, whether we are Christians, protestants or any other belief, because when we appear before God He will not ask us if we are Christians or protestants but how much we loved Him and our fellow persons during our life on earth.
42. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh; they shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43. Aaron and his sons shall wear them when they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place; or they will bring guilt on themselves and die. This shall be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 42 to 43)
In order to review all the issues and topics that we have covered in great depth throughout this chapter I invite you to click on this link that is a repetition of the previous link in relation to verses 22 to 28 on which we previously reflected.This will help us to put the pieces together and even clarify any questions or issues that we may have missed throughout our meditation on this chapter.
Summary of Issues covered
The garments of the high priest
Breastplate of High priest
Now that we have gone through the chapter again I invite you all to join together in praise and worship by referring to the prayer generously given to us by Mary Geveetha who is both a follower and contributor of this blog. If you may be inspired to have your prayer published in this blog, either in relation to the chapter we will be reflecting on, or even prayers of intercession either to me personally or to shared in the chapters of this blog you can send your prayers on the following address needforspeedvkm@gmail.com. I invite you to specify if you would like to have the prayer published or not or if you simply wish to send me your prayer to include in my daily prayers.
4. These are the vestments that they shall make: a brestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban, and a sash. When they make these sacred vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests, 5. they shall use gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine linen.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 4 to 5)
God ordered the sons of Israel to make particular articles that in themselves were to become special because they were to be consecrated to God. Moreover the person who was to wear such vestments was also to be esteemed as being special because that person in our case Aaron and his sons were called to administer and give service to God and His people. Therefore even though there has been a shower of reports and accusations world wide of abuses committed by priests and archbishops, we are still to respect such people, because they have been called and chosen by God to carry out a special and therefore particular role in the kingdom of God.
6. They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen, skillfully worked. 7. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8. The decorated band on it shall be of the same workmanship and materials, of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 6 to 8)
According to verses 6 to 8, in order to make the ephod the persons would need to be skilled in the art of making such a delicate article. In order to be able to have an idea of what the ephod looked like please click on the following link which gives us a detailed exhibit of the ephod and other vestments that we will be referring to:
The ephod
9. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10. six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11. As a gem-cutter engrave signets, so you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel; you shall mount them in settings of gold filigree. 12. You shall set the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13. You shall make settings of gold filigree, and two chains of pure gold twisted like cords, and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 9 to 14)
As much as God told Aaron to have the names of the sons of Israel engraved on stones and placed on the shoulder pads of the ephod, Jesus in the New Testament tells us that He has engraved our names on the palm of His hands. Engraving on stones requires only effort by the user, but engraving on skin means both pain effort and extreme love. Therefore this all shows God's love for us.
In order to view the onyx stones please click on the following link and refer to the curious girdle of the ephod as illustrated in the same link:
The Ony Stones
15. You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work; you shall make it in the style of the ephod; of gold, of blue and purple and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen you shall make it. 16. It shall be square and doubled, a span in length and a span in width. 17. You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald shall be the first row; 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a moonstone; 19. and the third row a jacinth, an and agate, and an amethyst; 20. and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21. There shall be twelve stones with names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 15 to 21)
In order to have a closer and more detailed view of the breastpiece please click on the following links:
Breastpiece Onyx stones and Ephod
Breastpiece and Onyx stones
Every time the high priest appeared before God he would bear on his self the responsibility of the sons of Israel on his shoulders as found in the stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, and his love for them on the breastpiece which was to be worn on the user's heart. During the time of the passion Jesus claimed full responsibility for our sins that were placed on the cross that painfully rested on His shoulders and had our names engraved on His heart and scarred hands with which He carried the cross in order to ensure our redemption.
22. You shall make for the breastpiece chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; 23. and you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 24 You shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece, 25. the two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings, and so attach it in front of the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 26. You shall make two rings of gold and put them at the two ends of the bresstpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27. You shall make two rings of gold and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod, at its joining, above the decorated band of the ephod. 28. The breastpiece shall be bound by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it may lie on the decorated band of the ephod, and so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 22 to 28)
In order to have an idea of what the biblical author is in much detail referring to i invite you to click on the following link which gives us a very detail and thoroughly explained visual representation of the ephod breastpiece and its settings:
Ephod and Breast piece
Detailed description of garments
In order to compare the vestments of the High Priest as depicted in the Old Testament with the vestments of the Priest as we commonly know him please click on the following links which are very detailed and interesting and highly significant (I learnt alot from them):
Vestments of the Priest part 1
Vestments of the Priest part 2
Liturgical mass vestments
29. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgement on his heart when he goes into the holy place, for a continual remembrance before the LORD. 30. In the breastpiece of judgement you shall put the Urim and the |Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; thus Aaron shall bear the judgement of the Israelites on his heart before the LORD continually.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 29 to 30)
As Aaron bore the names of Israel on his heart, the priest has the responsibility of his congregation. Moreover God has the love and judgement of all His sons and daughters and we are always in His sight.
31. You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it may not be torn. 33. On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around- 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. 35. Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes out, so that he may not die.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 31 to 35)
With reference to the bells and the pomegranates please refer to the following link and slide the bar in the video to this time 32:00 to 37.01
Bells and pomegranates on hem of robe
As referred to by our source, when Aaron moved in and out from near the presence of God he made noise with the bells. As Christians or followers of Jesus, we are also to make noise, in the sense that our worship and testimony must be heard. We are to be active followers of Jesus and not passive.
36. You shall make a rosette of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, "Holy to the LORD." 37. You shall fasten it on the turban with a blue cord; it shall be on the front of the turban. 38. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take on himself any guilt incurred in the holy offering that the Israelites consecrate as their sacred donations; it shall always be on his forehead, in order that they may find favor before the LORD.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 36 to 38)
On going back on our reflection on chapter 28 of the book of Exodus, we can note that Aaron as high priest, was entrusted with the responsibility of the sons and daughters of Israel as signified by the stones on his shoulders, his love and remembrance of them on his heart when wearing the breastpiece, and now we find that Aaron was entrusted with the responsibility or any errors that should take place doing the offering of sacrifices to God. In order for Aaron to always keep God in his heart and mind that would help him in the carrying out his responsibility of High Priest Aaron was to wear a special turban that had inscribed on it the words 'Holy to the LORD'.
As Christians or followers of Jesus by one or other denomination group, church or cult it would be nice of us to wear an image such as a wooden cross or maybe one of different material in order to help us remember that as people of God forming part of God's universal priesthood we are also consecrated to Him.
39. You shall make the checkered tunic of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40. For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics and sashes and headdresses; you shall make them for their glorious adornment. 41. You shall put them on your brother Aaron, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve me as priests.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 39 to 41)
Although the biblical author as inspired by the Holy Spirit of God did not give us much detail regarding the garments worn by the sons of Aaron who were to be consecrated as priests, nonetheless these garments were still very important. Although as laity we are not priests or high priests we still have an important role to play in the Holy Body of Christ on earth. If everybody carries out ones role, to ones ability with the grace and help of God the body will work in perfect order, however if the body becomes fragmented as in the offshoot of many cults and churches the performance may not be the same. All of the offshoots may experience God in worship and in praise in their own ways and forms of worship and God bless all to keep on giving worship! however I can only imagine how beautiful we all would be really and genuinely united under one Shepherd that is God according to His instructions as transmitted by the Roman Catholic Church.
I sincerely believe my God that even though there exists differences in interpretation of your word, and differences in acknowledging the pope and his role, and moreover the Roman Catholic Church as being the body of Christ on earth, with all the responsibilities and duties entrusted to it we still all believe in one God who is our loving father and may we all remain with this conviction of faith for all of our lives because ultimately this is what really matters. May we all be convinced in what and whom we believe, whether we are Christians, protestants or any other belief, because when we appear before God He will not ask us if we are Christians or protestants but how much we loved Him and our fellow persons during our life on earth.
42. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh; they shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43. Aaron and his sons shall wear them when they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place; or they will bring guilt on themselves and die. This shall be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him.
(Exodus chapter 28 verses 42 to 43)
In order to review all the issues and topics that we have covered in great depth throughout this chapter I invite you to click on this link that is a repetition of the previous link in relation to verses 22 to 28 on which we previously reflected.This will help us to put the pieces together and even clarify any questions or issues that we may have missed throughout our meditation on this chapter.
Summary of Issues covered
The garments of the high priest
Breastplate of High priest
Now that we have gone through the chapter again I invite you all to join together in praise and worship by referring to the prayer generously given to us by Mary Geveetha who is both a follower and contributor of this blog. If you may be inspired to have your prayer published in this blog, either in relation to the chapter we will be reflecting on, or even prayers of intercession either to me personally or to shared in the chapters of this blog you can send your prayers on the following address needforspeedvkm@gmail.com. I invite you to specify if you would like to have the prayer published or not or if you simply wish to send me your prayer to include in my daily prayers.
Almighty Father,
Glory and Praise be to You Lord of heaven and earth. In Your holy calling were people of old like Aaron and his sons blessed in priestly orders. Today as You anoint many into the calling of priesthood, may their holy garments be an emblem of holy conduct. May it represent the glory and divinity of our High Priest Lord Jesus Christ. May they be clothed not in an array of costly riches but rather clothed in garments of salvation and righteousness.
Glory and Praise be to You Lord of heaven and earth. In Your holy calling were people of old like Aaron and his sons blessed in priestly orders. Today as You anoint many into the calling of priesthood, may their holy garments be an emblem of holy conduct. May it represent the glory and divinity of our High Priest Lord Jesus Christ. May they be clothed not in an array of costly riches but rather clothed in garments of salvation and righteousness.
May the breastplates they wear remind them of the power and love of Lord Jesus as He bears us all in His arms and gives us His power and strength. May the robes remind them to serve the Lord with fear and holiness and may they be devoted in their calling of priesthood.
We pray that all priest in their journey represent a Christ like image, spiritually filled, knowing that there is no light, no wisdom, no perfection other than being like Lord Jesus, our Lord of Lords and our High Priest of all ages to come.
( Mary Geveetha)
Amen!
( Mary Geveetha)
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