Year 1, Week 12, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 12, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Exodus 38-39.

Today’s reading continues recording the actual building of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. As noted in the previous day’s reading, the Tabernacle plans, as recorded in Exodus 26-31, carefully correspond with the completion of the Tabernacle recorded in this section. Exodus 38 describes the construction of additional Tabernacle furnishings such as the Altar of Burnt Offerings and the Bronze Basin; as well as the completion of the walled courtyard around the Tabernacle; and a listing of the materials used to construct the Tabernacle. Exodus 39 describes the making of the priestly garments as well as a note about the completion of all the projects connected to the Tabernacle.

What struck me in today’s reading was the significance that the LORD placed on the priestly garments. Aaron and the priests are like a new Adam: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14). The priests and their clothing are reminiscent of Adam and the LORD clothing Him. As the LORD clothed Adam and Eve: “And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21); so He now clothed Aaron and the priests: “From the blue and purple and scarlet yarns they made finely woven garments, for ministering in the Holy Place. They made the holy garments for Aaron, as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:1). The same verb is used for the garments that the LORD made for Adam and Eve and the garments that the LORD had made for the priests.

The priests as being something like a new Adam is seen in the common roles assigned to Adam and the priests of Aaron. When Adam was placed in the garden the terms used to describe Adam’s work: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15), are the same terms used to describe the Priest’s work: “They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.” (Numbers 3:7-8). As the point has already been made that the Tabernacle was like a new Eden, it should come as no surprise that the roles given to Adam would be similarly described for the priesthood. What Adam was to be as a priest before God, now the line of Aaron was to be. As a side note, this connection between Eden and the Tabernacle, as well as between Adam and Aaron is reflected in the requirement that the Tabernacle and priestly garments needed to be made exactly as the LORD has specified. Moses, thus records the fact of Israel’s scrupulous obedience that all things were made “as the LORD had commanded. Moses” (39:1,5,6,21,26,29,31,32,42,43).

But the priestly garments point, not just to the past, but also to the future. Another kind of Priest has been promised: “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4). An ultimate High Priest would be anointed: “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” (Hebrews 7:22-24). Further, another Adam would come. Jesus is the final Adam: “Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:45-46).

The priestly garments described in Exodus are partially described as being worn by Jesus Himself: “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.” (Revelation 1:12-13). The Priests would point to Jesus. Jesus is also  the new and final Adam, whose obedience brings salvation to all who trust in Him: “For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19). Jesus is the true and eternal Priest, whose mediatorial work provides lasting salvation: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe