Exodus 39
Today's Passage: Exodus 39
I want to tackle this chapter in 2 different parts: first, I want to show the significance of the priestly garments and, second, unpack how this chapter should affect you on a practical level.
Here’s how the ESV Study Bible describes the garments:
The illustration depicts the holy garments worn by the high priests (Exodus 28; 39).
The turban of fine linen held a plate of pure shining gold, on which were engraved the Hebrew words for “Holy to YHWH.”
The ephod (a colorful linen torso garment held by a skillfully woven waistband) had two shoulder pieces, each holding an onyx stone. The names of the 12 sons of Israel were engraved on these two stones. The cloth breastpiece of judgment had four rows, each with three precious stones. Each of these stones had engraved upon it the name of one of the tribes of Israel. The breastpiece also contained the Urim and the Thummim, and was attached to the ephod by gold chains and rings. The blue robe was worn under the ephod (Lev. 8:7–8); colorful imitation pomegranates lined the hem of the robe, alternating with golden bells. The white coat or tunic of checkered weave and fine linen was probably held by the embroidered sash under the robe.
Application
Hopefully in these passages on details, you get a glimpse into the character of God that sees small details like this as immensely important representations of his presence and glory.
Something else from this chapter that is important to see and readily apply to your life is the obedience of Moses, and more importantly, what it says about how he viewed and worshipped God.
Obedience in the ordinary.
Seven times in this chapter, the phrase, “as the LORD had commanded Moses” follows a description of Moses obediently following the commands and statutes of the Lord.
There is a temptation for us to think that obedience is only on a big, grand scale: go stand before Pharaoh, lead your people out of Egypt, part the Red Sea, etc. But for Moses, obedience was in the grand things for sure, but it was also in the ordinary and the mundane.
What does this mean for you? This means that obedience to God can sometimes feel ordinary and can sometimes feel mundane. But the reality is that every step of obedience to God matters, because God is worthy of it, no matter how important it feels. Faithful obedience matters no matter if it revolves around you sharing the gospel with a lost friend, or quitting pornography or engaging in sexual actions with someone that is not your spouse.
But it is also seen in committing to pray regularly and reading Scripture regularly so that you grow in holiness. (Note: I am not insinuating that Scripture mandates how often you should read your Bible or pray, only that those things lead aid you in your pursuit of holiness, which Scripture clearly teaches [see 1 Peter 1:16]).
So, what is your next step? Ask God to help you see obedience to Him, even in the “mundane”, as valuable in your life, and ask for His help to make obedience a priority.
I want to tackle this chapter in 2 different parts: first, I want to show the significance of the priestly garments and, second, unpack how this chapter should affect you on a practical level.
Here’s how the ESV Study Bible describes the garments:
The illustration depicts the holy garments worn by the high priests (Exodus 28; 39).
The turban of fine linen held a plate of pure shining gold, on which were engraved the Hebrew words for “Holy to YHWH.”
The ephod (a colorful linen torso garment held by a skillfully woven waistband) had two shoulder pieces, each holding an onyx stone. The names of the 12 sons of Israel were engraved on these two stones. The cloth breastpiece of judgment had four rows, each with three precious stones. Each of these stones had engraved upon it the name of one of the tribes of Israel. The breastpiece also contained the Urim and the Thummim, and was attached to the ephod by gold chains and rings. The blue robe was worn under the ephod (Lev. 8:7–8); colorful imitation pomegranates lined the hem of the robe, alternating with golden bells. The white coat or tunic of checkered weave and fine linen was probably held by the embroidered sash under the robe.
Application
Hopefully in these passages on details, you get a glimpse into the character of God that sees small details like this as immensely important representations of his presence and glory.
Something else from this chapter that is important to see and readily apply to your life is the obedience of Moses, and more importantly, what it says about how he viewed and worshipped God.
Obedience in the ordinary.
Seven times in this chapter, the phrase, “as the LORD had commanded Moses” follows a description of Moses obediently following the commands and statutes of the Lord.
There is a temptation for us to think that obedience is only on a big, grand scale: go stand before Pharaoh, lead your people out of Egypt, part the Red Sea, etc. But for Moses, obedience was in the grand things for sure, but it was also in the ordinary and the mundane.
What does this mean for you? This means that obedience to God can sometimes feel ordinary and can sometimes feel mundane. But the reality is that every step of obedience to God matters, because God is worthy of it, no matter how important it feels. Faithful obedience matters no matter if it revolves around you sharing the gospel with a lost friend, or quitting pornography or engaging in sexual actions with someone that is not your spouse.
But it is also seen in committing to pray regularly and reading Scripture regularly so that you grow in holiness. (Note: I am not insinuating that Scripture mandates how often you should read your Bible or pray, only that those things lead aid you in your pursuit of holiness, which Scripture clearly teaches [see 1 Peter 1:16]).
So, what is your next step? Ask God to help you see obedience to Him, even in the “mundane”, as valuable in your life, and ask for His help to make obedience a priority.
No Comments