THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: GENESIS AND EXODUS (26)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS for PRIESTS

Key Passage: Exodus 29

CHAPTER 28	CHAPTER 29	CHAPTER 30	CHAPTER 31
Clothing for the Priests	Consecration of the Priests	Commands for the Priests	Craftsmen for the Tabernacle
	Priestly Ministry		Priestly Carpenters

OVERVIEW No center of worship is complete without people to minister in it and utensils to use in the worship services. Chapters 28-31 describe the priests, Israel’s representatives before God, who are chosen to lead the worship in the tabernacle. Everything about them is special, from the clothing they wear to the elaborate sacrifices needed to prepare them for ministry, as well as the utensils and supplies they use (such as incense, perfumes, oil, the altar, and the basin) in the tabernacle worship. Even the designers and construction workers are handpicked by God.

God deserves to be served with all

the energy we have.

OUR DAILY WALK Preparing a priest for service in the tabernacle was no small chore (chapter 29). The most curious part of the ceremony involved killing a ram and applying the blood to the tip of the priest’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot (29:20). The blood was a picture of cleansing. Before the priest could minister before the Lord, he had to be clean from the sin that polluted him. Then he needed to be dedicated to the Lord from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Every part of him, from his ear (which hears God’s Law) to his hand (which does God’s will) to his foot (which follows in God’s steps) must be surrendered to the will of God.

Does God have that kind of control over your whole life? If not, starting with your head, give each part of your body to Him in a prayer of dedication: "Lord, take my eyes; help me to look at those things that please You. Take my ears; help me to listen to things that build up, not tear down…" Then you, like Israel’s priests, will be ready to do His Will – from head to toe.

INSIGHT Mystery Stones

The Urim and Thummin were probably two flat stones kept in the breastplate of the high priest and used to determine the will of God. Each may have had one dark side and one light. Some scholars speculate that they were tossed into the air and allowed to fall to the ground Two dark sides showing meant "yes," two light sides meant "no," and one of each meant "no reply"