Meaning of Exodus 28:3

This verse, Exodus 28:3, marks the divine inauguration of the priestly garments, a crucial element in the establishment of Israel's worship and the functioning of the tabernacle. God, the ultimate architect of His people's spiritual life, directly commands Moses to instruct specifically chosen individuals, characterized by their God-given wisdom and skill, to fashion these sacred vestments for Aaron. This directive underscores the principle that service to God is not a matter of haphazard human effort but requires divinely empowered expertise and dedicated craftsmanship, all for the purpose of Aaron's consecration, which means setting him apart and making him fit to perform his priestly duties before the Lord. The emphasis on "skilled workers" and "wisdom" highlights that even in the realm of the sacred, God equips and calls individuals with particular talents for His purposes.

Context and Background

The passage occurs within the larger narrative of God's instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, a portable sanctuary that would serve as the dwelling place of God among His people during their wilderness journey. Following the covenant at Sinai, God desired a tangible representation of His presence and a system for His people to approach Him. The priesthood, with Aaron as the first High Priest, was central to this system, acting as mediators between God and Israel. The elaborate garments were not merely decorative but symbolic of the holiness, authority, and mediatorial role of the priest.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Ordination of Worship: God meticulously dictates the details of His worship, including the attire of His ministers. This emphasizes the sanctity and order required in approaching the divine.
• God-Equipped Service: The mention of "skilled workers" and "wisdom" points to God's provision of natural talents and supernatural enablement for those who serve Him. Service to God is a collaborative effort between divine grace and human diligence.
• Consecration and Separation: The garments are for Aaron's "consecration," signifying his being set apart from the ordinary and dedicated to a holy calling. This concept of holiness and separation is a recurring theme in Scripture.
• Mediatorial Role: The priestly garments, particularly the ephod and breastplate, were designed to function in Aaron's mediatorial capacity, representing the tribes of Israel before God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse has profound spiritual significance. It teaches that God desires our best in worship and service. Just as the Israelites were instructed to bring their finest materials and skills for the tabernacle, believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). The concept of consecration applies to all believers, who, through Christ, are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Our lives should be lived in a manner that reflects our set-apartness for God's purposes, utilizing the gifts and wisdom He has bestowed upon us for His glory. The emphasis on specific skills for specific roles also hints at the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, all intended for building up the church and serving the Lord.

Relationship to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Exodus 28 lays the foundation for the entire Levitical system of worship, which continued for centuries. The specifications for the priestly garments foreshadow the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, whose righteousness and perfect sacrifice fulfill the symbolic functions of the Old Testament priesthood and its attire. The garments, with their precious stones and intricate design, speak of the glory and perfection that Christ brings to God's presence on behalf of humanity. The concept of a mediator between God and man is central to the biblical narrative, culminating in Jesus.

Analogies

• A Modern Clergy Vestment: While the Old Testament garments were unique in their divine prescription, they serve as an analogy for the ceremonial attire worn by clergy in many traditions today, signifying a specific role and calling within a religious community.
• Specialized Uniforms: In secular contexts, specialized uniforms denote specific professions (e.g., a surgeon's scrubs, a firefighter's gear) and signify expertise and a particular function. Similarly, the priestly garments indicated Aaron's unique role.
• A Master Craftsman's Tools: The "skilled workers" are like master craftsmen who are given the best tools and materials to create something of immense value and importance. Their skills are divinely recognized and employed for a sacred purpose.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 31:1-6: This passage further elaborates on the God-given skill of Bezalel and Oholiab, explicitly stating that God has "filled them with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts." This reinforces the theme of divine empowerment for service.
• Leviticus 8: This chapter details the actual consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons, where they are clothed in the garments described in Exodus 28.
• Hebrews 4:14-16: This New Testament passage speaks of Jesus as our "great High Priest" who has passed through the heavens. It highlights His perfect mediation and our ability to approach God's throne of grace with confidence because of Him, thus fulfilling the symbolic role of the Old Testament priesthood.
• 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This verse extends the concept of priesthood to all believers.