The Priests & Their Garments, Part 2

Sermon 72 in Series

Exodus 28:31-43
[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 garment, so that it may not tear. [33] On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, [34] a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. [35] And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.

[36] “You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ [37] And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. [38] It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

[39] “You shall weave the coat in checker work 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 coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. [41] And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. [42] You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; [43] and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How do the stones on the ephod and breastpiece convey the preciousness of God’s people? What impact should this have on our interactions with one another?
2.   How does the emphasis on death highlight the seriousness of worshiping God rightly? What implications does this have for us who are now in the New Covenant?
3.   What spiritual realities were symbolized by the pomegranates and bells on the high priest’s robe?
4.   Why was nakedness/exposure such a big deal for the priests? How did this distinguish Israel from other nations?
5.   What was the significance of the engraved plate on the high priest’s turban? How does it heighten our appreciation of Christ?
6.   How was the high priest’s clothing different from the other priests? How did this distinction anticipate Christ as the one and only Mediator?

References: Acts 20:28; John 19:23; Deuteronomy 8:7-8; Song of Solomon 6:7; Genesis 2:17; Exodus 19:12; 20:26; 1 Corinthians 11:28-30; Exodus 19:6; Romans 8:33-34; 1 Timothy 2:5-6.