Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

These two chapters are all about setting apart, sanctifying, and dressing those who would serve as priests before the Lord. God’s favourite (or one of His favourite) colour schemes shows up again (gold, blue, purple, and scarlet). He picks specific people, specific materials, gives explicit instructions as to their manufacture, and not only requires skilled workers but He also provides the skill to those workers.

All the tribes are involved in the garments as names written on precious stones and attached to the breastplate of the High Priest. They would forever be before the Lord EVERY time He was ministered to. The priests would be totally covered and reminders of God’s holiness would be a part of the outfits – the outfits went from underwear to outerwear.

“Seven days you will make atonement for the altar, and you will consecrate it, and the altar will be a most holy thing. Anyone who touches the altar will be holy.” (Exodus 29:37)

Those who would be priests would need to be consecrated. This was no small thing. This was a seven day process, included sacrifices, and included anointings of blood. The garments would ALSO be consecrated along with the men, so that in the end everything about priestly service would be holy and set apart for the Lord.

God called for daily sacrifices. Every day, morning and evening. A burnt offering, grain offering, and a drink offering. Every single day continually with no let up – ever – as long as the covenant was in place. It would be there to provide a landing strip for God who would meet with the people there. The tent, the priests, and everything inside would be consecrated by His Glory. There God would dwell with them – right in the middle of the camp – and would be their God and they would be their people.

That was the will of God, anyway. It did not come to pass because of the behaviour of the Israelites – but we’re not there yet.

Summary

Key Players: God, Moses

Key Themes: Priesthood, Sanctification/Cleansing

Key Verse(s): Exodus 29:45-46