INTRODUCTION
It was time to make the garments for the priests of Israel. God had given Moses all the help he needed to carry out his instructions for the tabernacle through the skilled craftsmen that were among the people of Israel. He pointed these craftsmen out to Moses as they went along. We will be discussing some of the aspects that these craftsmen had to master today.
Thank you for joining us in this ongoing, on-line, chronological bible study which is held every Thursday called COME AS A CHILD.
Today’s study will take up where we left off in Exodus, Chapter 28. If you missed last week’s lesson; you may review it here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/oil/.
WHEN LIFE GETS HARD, GOD MAY BE WANTING TO TEACH YOU SOMETHING VALUABLE
As I have mentioned before; many of these skilled craftsmen traveling through the wilderness with Moses had learned their skills while they were being held hostage as slaves in Egypt.
In all of life’s hard situations it always helps to stop and remember that usually something good comes from everything; even horrible situations. I’ve learned the hard way to hold on, dig in and trust God for the outcome.
God told Moses to instruct Bazalel and Oholiab in overseeing the skilled craftsmen of Israel as they were building the tabernacle. He commanded Moses to put these two men in charge of all the other craftsmen.
GOD WILL GIVE HIS PEOPLE WISDOM
As we come to our passage today in Exodus 28, verse 3 we read some pretty profound words. The words here read: “to all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters…..”
This is God speaking to Moses about those who are skilled craftsmen. It is as if God himself has put His spirit into these men and specifically equipped them for their tasks.
In some passages we even hear the words “speak to all who are “wise hearted.”
What would make a person “wise-hearted” and what exactly would that mean?
GOD EQUIPS THOSE WHOM HE CALLS
Only God can equip a man to become “wise-hearted.” This says to us that the two in charge not only had the craftsmen skills needed for the supervision of the building of the tabernacle; but they also possessed the positive character traits of compassion and good people skills.
It is a rare combination, even in our modern times, to find a person capable of taking charge of a large and important project, who has the complete intellect to do the job right as well as the people skills to keep the workers happy and honored to continue to do their work.
ARE YOU EQUIPPED FOR A SPECIAL TASK FROM GOD?
Is there anything in life that you feel like God has specifically equipped you to be doing?
If you are sure and you KNOW that you know that you know God has designed you for it; then you had better be getting to that work!
I personally believe that God has a specific purpose for each of us, and we all become happier people when we discover the truth of our own destiny. This happens through prayer and trust and following God no matter what the world might say to us in opposition.
I really doubt these people understood the significance of their talent and abilities or how useful they became in the hands of God as He built up the nation of Israel who brought us Jesus Christ; our Messiah.
Never underestimate what God is commanding you to do. What is small to mankind can become mighty in the hands of God.
THERE WERE SOME VERY SACRED AND HOLY TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
God had destined that some very specific weavers traveling with Moses in the wilderness would be the ones who designed the clothing for the priests that would serve before God and the people in the wilderness tabernacle.
He had a specific way that he wanted each piece of the priestly garments to be designed and created.
God had even created certain creatures from the very beginning of time who were made especially for the task of making the dyes for the very specific colors.
God also specified the amounts of threads that would be woven together for the cloth. The weavers had to understand God’s intended design. These weavers were the one’s who had the skills for constructing the garments; but they also had to have the knowledge of the symbolism placed upon each item as it was created.
Some of the threads for these garments were made from a process that used pure gold. It took very skilled craftsmen to bring this process to perfection in order to create these parts of the garments.
THE GARMENTS WERE SACRED AND HOLY; SET APART FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
Can you imagine my surprise as I studied this section of Exodus to discover that the Hebrew for these two expressions we often use called “holy” and “sacred” at times translate to mean “garments of the temple”?
As God and Moses continue to talk up on that holy mountain, God begins to give Moses the instructions these skilled craftsmen will need to accomplish their important task of designing these very holy and sacred garments.
GOD DESIGNATED AARON AND HIS DESCENDANTS
If you ever doubted why not so perfect Aaron and his not so perfect sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamor) became the first official priests to serve in God’s tabernacle in the wilderness; this passage found in Exodus Chapter 28 is very plain.
God has this way of taking imperfect people and teaching them His ways. Those who are wise; humbly continue to follow God after they are surprised with success in areas that only God could have equipped them to handle. Those who are very wise realize that God is the source of all of their power; and they would be able to accomplish nothing without God’s help. This is a great example of God’s perfect love and grace working through imperfect humanity.
We will hear more at a later time of how these imperfect people handled the power of God before the people.
At this point God was confirming to Moses that these men were the specific people He had chosen to serve.
Aaron was to be the High Priest and his sons were to follow after him as the ordinary priest.
Of course you know; once again this was God remembering his promises to Abraham.
God always keeps His promises.
UNIFORMS THAT EXPRESSED HONOR AND BEAUTY AND DIGNITY
These men ordained by God for this holy task were to be dressed properly.
God not only told Moses that Aaron and his sons were to serve as His chosen priests; but God designed the specific clothes/uniforms that they were to be given to wear for the purposes of honor and beauty and dignity.
Every little detail was planned directly by God for every single time these priests would dress in the capacity of any type of service in the tabernacle.
The High Priest (Aaron) had specific duties and wore specific clothes that reflected these duties. The ordinary priests (Aaron’s sons) had specific duties and wore specific clothes that recognized and reflected their service to God.
GOD’S CRAFTSMEN WERE TO POSSESS WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
The craftsmen making these priestly garments were to be very careful and wise in the way they designed the garments that these men were to wear during these times.
They would need to be people who totally understood and followed the ways of God.
They would need to be prayerful and righteous people; willing to take the time to search out the details that mattered to God. They most likely spent more “listening” time when praying than “talking” time.
Have you ever tried this yourself?
I dare you to come before God in prayer and then simply remain silent. Listen carefully to what God has to say to you instead of offering your own suggestions as to what He can do for you.
This can be a-world changing experience. God’s wilderness servants were completely aware of this important fact, and they were dutiful to listen to God whenever He spoke to them.
MYSTERIES OF THE SACREDNESS OF GOD
Over the next few weeks, I will attempt to give a very brief description of what I know of the way God wanted the garments of the high priest and ordinary priests serving in the tabernacle designed.
I say “very brief” because one could actually write volumes of books on this subject and never run out of material. It is that extensive, and we will not have the time to go into every detail that I would like to cover.
There is much history recorded on such things; but the more you study the more you realize there is also much mystery, amazement and fascinating facts surrounding these holy and sacred garments.
These priestly garments were NOT merely pieces of clothing that men wore to cover their bodies; the holy garments were actually very symbolic in nature. They tell many amazing stories of the glory of God.
PROPER USE GOD DESIGNED INTO THE PRIESTLY GARMENTS
These priestly garments have actually been the sources of great power from God that was channeled straight down to Israel from the portals of heaven.
Through the use of the elements of the priestly garments the men in the priestly service of God were able to make correct decisions for the tribes of Israel.
Whenever they were moving within God’s will the men dressed in these priestly garments were able to perform great miracles.
A VERY HUMBLE TELLING OF THE STORY WILL CONTINUE
My attempt to describe these sacred garments and the mysteries surrounding them will be very brief and humble.
If I were speaking to you out loud instead of using the written word; I would feel inclined to drop the sound of my voice into the quietness of whisper here.
It is a very holy and sacred subject that we approach; but one that we all should ponder and take seriously.
There is much for us to learn and see here.
Pray for me in the weeks to come that I will be able to write the words that are correct and godly only; with no addition or subtraction.
Also pray for your own interpretation to be accurate and enlightened by God’s Holy Spirit as we continue to travel together on this long wilderness journey. There are surprises and adventures around every corner.
God be with you on your way as you travel through daily life for His Kingdom!