ESV Chronological Plan, Day 37 | Exodus 27-29

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read Exodus 27:1-29:46

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

(A) The Altar of burnt offering. For its note on Exodus 27:1-8, The Life Application Study Bible makes this observation: "The altar of burnt offering was the first thing the Israelites saw as they entered the tabernacle courtyard. Here sacrifices were constantly made. Its vivid presence constantly reminded the people that they could only come to God by means of the sacrifice. It was the only way their sins could be forgiven and taken away. In Hebrews 10:1–18, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate sacrifice. This teaches that we are not to seek any other means to having a personal relationship with God. No counseling theory, Eastern mysticism, or modern ideas of spirituality can remove our sin. Jesus is our only High Priest today. Put all your confidence in him." The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible adds "As the priests offered sacrifices of bulls and goats repeatedly, it should have become clear that the blood of animals could not truly atone for human sin. What was needed was a once-for-all sacrifice: Jesus, the sinless one, who offered himself as a 'single sacrifice for sins' (Heb. 10:11–14). It is Jesus’ blood that cleanses us from 'all sin' (1 John 1:7; cf. Heb. 9:14; 10:19–22; 1 Pet. 1:18). Nothing more is needed."

(B) Jesus and the Priesthood. For its notes on Exodus 28-29, The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible does a really good job of pointing out that 

"God dressed Aaron in 'holy garments' that would serve to cover his sinfulness and make him fit to stand in God’s presence (Ex. 28:4). These garments shared the same kind of fabrics as the tabernacle, showing that the priest’s ministry was a heavenly one. In addition, the breastpiece of judgment also had 12 stones on which the names of the tribes of Israel were engraved; this breastpiece was positioned so that the tribes were 'on his heart' (vv. 14–30). There was a plate on his head that said 'Holy to the LORD' (v. 36). Jesus, our Great High Priest, was chosen by God to serve as priest; he identified with human beings in our suffering and obedience so that he might be sympathetic to our weaknesses (Heb. 2:17–18; 5:5–10). He did not require holy garments to cover his sin; for he was the sinless one (Heb. 4:14–15) who was 'holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens' (Heb. 7:26). He bore his people upon his heart as he made intercession for them, and he continues to do so (Heb. 7:25). And he clothes us with his righteousness so that we, as those who participate in his priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5), have our sins covered and are 'holy to the LORD.' [...] Aaron’s consecration involved washing (v. 4), vesting (vv. 5–6), anointing (v. 7), and sacrifice (vv. 10–28). The washing, vesting, and anointing is all ultimately fulfilled in the priesthood of the sinless Jesus: he was already clean, clothed, and Spirit-empowered for his work as priest. And these three actions all came before the sacrifices, which were offered, not for Aaron and his sons as persons, but as priests (Heb. 5:3). The blood of the sacrifice was applied to ear, hand, and toe to speak of the total consecration of the priest: he would hear, act, and walk only for God’s holy purpose. And yet, only Jesus could manifest such complete consecration, all the way to offering himself as both priest and sacrifice (Heb. 10:5–10). As those who participate in Jesus’ bloody sacrifice by faith, we are washed clean (John 13:10; Heb. 10:22), clothed (Isa. 61:10; Rev. 19:8), and anointed (1 John 2:20) to serve in his name, consecrated, a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:9)."

(C) The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. The end of our reading has God telling Moses that He "will dwell among the people of Israel and be their God" (Exodus 29:45). This is referenced in a really beautiful, and subtle, way in a familiar New Testament passage. John 1 is one of the most familiar passages of the Bible to most Christians, partly because it's a beautiful introduction to the meaning of the life of Jesus, and also partly because it is a really handy proof text of the divinity of Christ ("In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:1-2, 14). But there is something else going on in that passage; a neat callback to the end of our reading in Exodus 27-29 for today. The Greek word for "dwelt" in John 1:14, ἐσκήνωσεν (eskenosen), is actually related to the Greek word σκηνὴν (skenen) which is the word for "tabernacle" in the old Greek translation of the passages that we read today. Literally, as a callback, John is saying "the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us." As God dwelt in the tabernacle in the midst of His people, so also in Jesus, God came to us and dwelt among us in a tabernacle of flesh and bone. He is the God who is always in the midst of His people. So later this year, when the Feast of Tents (Sukkot) rolls around on the Jewish calendar, just remember--that feast began by celebrating how God dwelt among His people in a tent, but it always was pointing forward to a greater act of love: God dwelling with us as a human being.

RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?

The passages we read today, though they are long and detailed, boil down to basically this: (1) God makes a way for us to come to Him; (2) God makes a way for Him to come to us. In the middle is the need for a way to deal with the problem of sin and brokenness--we need a mediator like the High Priest of Israel; we need a sacrifice to take our sin upon itself, which the altar represents. We need a meeting place where heaven and earth meet, and a bridge is made from our broken world into the very presence of God. When Jesus came, He revealed Himself to be all three of those things. All of those things in the Old Testament are imperfect foreshadowings of Him. So how do we respond? With an attitude of joy and thankfulness; a freedom to draw near to God in worship; and for action on our part: since the way has been made for us, and since God has drawn near to us first, let us draw near to him in response through prayer, singing, time in God's Word, worship, obedience, and a life lived to the glory of God.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US CLOSER TO GOD?

Here is a suggested prayer prompt: "Father, I come before you with a heart that is overflowing with gratitude for your unfailing love; for your goodness, and your faithfulness. Thank you for drawing near. You have never abandoned your people, and you will never abandon me. You surround me with your comforting presence. Help me to be more aware of your nearness. Empower me to draw near to you with sincere devotion. Help me to seek your will, and your wisdom, and your guidance--in every aspect of my life. Amen."