Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.
Today’s reading comes from the book of Exodus, chapters 28 and 29, detailing how Aaron and his sons were equipped to serve as priests for Israel. Some impressions from the text:
- “Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.” As high priest, Aaron served as a foreshadow of the high priest to come, Jesus Christ. The Son would come to bear the judgment of all nations before the Father.
- “… and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement.” The extensive instructions regarding the garb and conduct of the priests reveals something critical about the Mosaic Law. The priests were to daily offer sacrifices upon the tabernacle altar to atone for the people’s sin. That implies God expected them to sin, that He expected them to violate the Law. This is key. The Law was not provided as a means for achieving righteousness. It was not provided with the expectation that it would be kept. Put another way, the Law does not save. We need something else for that.
- “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God…” The intricacy of the ritual surrounding the tabernacle, the priests, and the sacrifices may seem esoteric and overly complex. It was designed to serve as a persistent reminder of who dwelt in their midst. Without such reminders, our sin nature fogs our view of God. We don’t offer sacrifices today, but still need daily reminders of who God is. That’s where Bible study and prayer come into play.
Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.
Catch up on the previous entries:
Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).
Moses gets a mission from God. – Exodus 1-3
Believer and unbeliever, each defy God’s commandments. – Exodus 4-6
God makes his name known by plaguing Egypt.– Exodus 7-9
The final plagues, and God’s deliverance of Israel from their captivity in Egypt. – Exodus 10-12
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously…” Exodus 13-15
God continues to provide, even for an ungrateful people. – Exodus 16-18
Moses receives the Ten Commandments. – Exodus 19-21
Israel receives the Law at the foot of Mount Sinai. – Exodus 22-24
God commissions the building of the tabernacle. – Exodus 25-27
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