SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 39
BIBLE VERSES:
“So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather and the shielding curtain; the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover; the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the olive oil for the light; the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent; the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.” (Exodus 39:32-41)
“The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:42-43)
THE PRIESTLY GARMENTS (vs, 1)
From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn, they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.
THE EPHOD (vs. 2-7)
The Ephod is made of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and of finely twisted linen. They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like seal witht he names of the sons of Israel. Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.
THE BREASTPIECE (vs 8-21)
The Breastpiece was a square – a span long and a span wide and folded double. There were 4 rows of precious stone. The first row was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; the fourth row a chrysolite , and onyx and a jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were 12 stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the names of one of the twelve tribes. The rings were fastened so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod.
OTHER PRIESTLY GARMENTS (vs. 22-31)
- Robe of ephod of blue color
- Pomegranates of glue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen
- Bells of pure gold
- Tunics of fine linen
- Turban of fine linen
- The lien headbands
- Undergarments of finely twisted lien
- Sash of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn
- The plate, the sacred diadem out of pure gold and engraved on it ‘HOLY TO THE LORD”.
MOSES INSPECTS THE TABERNACLE (vs. 32-43)
All the work on the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
THOUGHTS:
Two parts of the High Priest uniform were the Ephod and the Breastpiece. Ephod looked like a vest and was worn on the outer clothing. The breastpiece was fitted to the Ephod and made of colored linens. There were 12 gemstones in front each inscribed with the name of a tribe of Israel. This symbolized that the High Priest repented all the people before God. The Breastpiece had pockets that held 2 stones called the Urim and Thummim. The High Priest would determine God’s will for the nation by consulting the Urim and Thummim.
Moses gave important responsibilities to others and trusted them to do the job. He gave plans and direction. He delegated key responsibilities to his assistants. When the work was finished, he inspected it and blessed the people. A good leader follows up on assigned tasks and gives rewards for good work. Show appreciation to the people who had helped you.