Exodus Chapters 27-30

INTRODUCTION:

We have been walking through the Book of Exodus over the last 10 weeks. It’s been an eventful journey to say the least. If we rewind many weeks, we know that Exodus means Exit and that is exactly what the Israelites did.  They headed out and not without quite the adventure along the way with a side of discontent and grumbling at times.  We are currently in the 40-day period of time that Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God and get instructions.  

Last week we walked through some of the instructions on building the Tabernacle and saw the exact details from God to Moses and the Israelites on how to accomplish the project.  We also asked the question: Do we believe God is calling us to build a place of worship and what is it going to take for us at 7 Creeks Church. 

We read in Exodus 25:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me… 

And in the New Testament we see a similar instruction in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 it says “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”

We see that the Israelites came together with items from gold to Goat hair to accomplish the building of the Tabernacle.

We also saw the purpose of the tabernacle in Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.  God wanted to dwell among the children of Israel. He wanted a Place of Worship. Fast forward to the New Testament, John 1:14a says And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… Jesus.

We continue this week on the overall assignment from God to continue work on the structure and sacred items. A Place of Worship.

Chapter 27: Building the Worship Area

God continues to give Moses instructions and here it is to construct a large bronze altar—for burnt offerings, made from acacia wood, roughly 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet tall, with horns on its corners and bronze tools for sacrifices. This is the centerpiece for offerings in the tabernacle. 

Surrounding it, a courtyard is formed by white linen curtains, about 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, hung on bronze pillars with silver hooks, featuring a 30-foot gate with vibrant blue, purple, and scarlet curtains. The Israelites are tasked with supplying pure olive oil to keep the lampstand (a menorah) burning constantly, tended by Aaron and his sons. Sounds like they are setting up a community worship space, doesn't it?  Look at the details here.

• The Bronze Altar (v. 1-2): "You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. And you shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze."

• Altar Utensils, Poles (v. 3, 6): "You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. ... And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 

• The Court of the Tabernacle (v. 9, 12, 16): "You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. ... And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. ... For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework."

• Oil for the Lampstand (v. 20): "You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn."

How does this affect me today?  We are actually reading lessons on worship, obedience, sacrifice, giving, the impact of community, and God’s personal relationship with mankind.  He still wants a relationship with you today through His son Jesus.

Chapter 28: Priestly Garments

God outlines special garments for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons to wear during tabernacle duties, marking their sacred role. These include a breastpiece, ephod (a vest-like garment), robe, woven tunic, turban, and sash, crafted with gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarns, and fine linen. 

The breastpiece is set with twelve gemstones, each engraved with a tribe of Israel’s name, symbolizing Aaron carrying the people before God. The ephod has two onyx stones on its shoulders, also engraved with the tribes’ names, and the breastpiece holds the Urim (yur-uhm) and Thummim (thuh-muhm) for seeking God’s guidance. 

The Urim (often translated as "lights") and Thummim (translated as "perfections" or "truth") are objects used by the high priest to discern God’s will or make decisions for Israel.  The high priest would use them in situations requiring God’s judgment, such as resolving disputes, making strategic decisions, or seeking divine direction.

• Appointment of Priests and Garments (v. 1-2): "Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty."

• The Ephod (v. 6-7): "And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 

• The Breastpiece of Judgment (v. 15, 29): "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. ... So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord."

• The Robe of the Ephod (v. 31-32): "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear."

• The Turban and Golden Plate (v. 36-37): "You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. 

• Other Priestly Garments (v. 40): "For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty."

Why Does it Matter? Moses is a central figure in Exodus so far as he is the guy doing a lot of stuff on behalf of the Lord, but Aaron is right there with him if you remember.  Aaron was appointed by God as the first high priest of Israel.  Fast forward to the New Testament and we see Jesus’ role as the eternal High Priest who mediates a new covenant. 

Chapter 29: Ordaining the Priests

This chapter details a seven-day ordination ceremony to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. They’re washed, dressed in their sacred garments, and Aaron is anointed with oil. Sacrifices include a bull for a sin offering and two rams—one for a burnt offering, another for an ordination ritual where blood is applied to the altar, priests’ clothing, and their ear, thumb, and toe to dedicate them to God. 

What we are reading is the “official” ordination of the Priests, or priesthood, and the sacrifice process the Israelites walked through.  Does it sound like anything we do?  Or walk out?  Check this out in 1 Peter Chapter 2.

Fast forward to 1 Peter 2:5,9: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . . But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”  

Did Peter just state that Believers are a Royal Priesthood?  That we are Chosen?  A Holy Nation?  But I am just a meager Gentile with no lineage…  Not if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus.  You are CHOSEN.  Back to Exodus 29

Purpose of the Consecration (v. 1): “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish.”

Washing and Dressing the Priests (v. 4-5): “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then you shall take the garments and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod.”

Sacrifices for Ordination (v. 10-11):

“Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. Then you shall kill the bull before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Anointing and Consecration (v. 7, 21): “You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. ... Then you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons’ garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him.”

Daily Offerings (v. 38-39): “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.”

God’s Promise of Presence (v. 45-46): “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.”

Chapter 30: Incense Altar, Census, and Sacred Items

God commands a small, gold-covered altar for burning incense, placed near the tabernacle’s veil, where Aaron burns fragrant incense as a continuous act of worship that was ongoing. 

A census is ordered, requiring every Israelite over 20 to contribute a half-shekel as a “ransom” for their life, or atonement offering.  A half- shekel is equal to $7-10 in today’s money. It didn't matter how rich or poor, everyone paid the same amount, to avoid another plague during the process, along with supporting the Tabernacle. 

We see that a bronze basin is set up for priests to wash before ministering, ensuring purity. God provides recipes for sacred anointing oil (with myrrh, cinnamon, and spices) and incense, reserved exclusively for holy use, with warnings against personal use. 

• The Altar of Incense (v. 1-2, 7-8): “You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. ... And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations.”

• The Census Tax (v. 12-13): “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.”

• The Bronze Basin (v. 18-19): “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet.”

• The Anointing Oil (v. 23-25): “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.”

• The Incense (v. 34-36): “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take sweet spices, stacte (stac-tee), and onycha (On-ih-Kah), and galbanum (gal-ba-num), sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you.’”

That sounds beautiful….Lets connect this to us today…

In Exodus 27–30, the tabernacle is a meticulously designed physical structure (altar, courtyard, incense altar, etc.) where God meets His people, facilitated by priests in sacred garments performing rituals. 

The New Testament reframes this:

The Tabernacle as Our Body: Instead of a physical tent, believers’ bodies become the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit. Just as the tabernacle was holy and set apart, Christians are called to live in holiness, honoring God with their actions.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Jesus as the Ultimate Priest and Sacrifice: The priesthood (Exodus 28–29) and sacrifices (Exodus 29) find their fulfillment in Jesus, the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) and the once-for-all sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:10-12). Believers, as a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5), now offer spiritual sacrifices.

• Hebrews 4:14-16 - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Worship Through Daily Living: The rituals of incense, washing, and offerings (Exodus 30) are mirrored in the New Testament call to continual prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), purity (Ephesians 5:26-27), and living as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1).

Listen to these:

• Ephesians 5:26-27 - that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing

• Romans 12:1 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The shift from a physical tabernacle to the body as a temple means that worship is no longer confined to a specific place but is expressed through how believers live. The care and reverence given to the tabernacle’s construction and rituals in Exodus translate to a call for us to treat our bodies and lives with intentionality—avoiding sin, pursuing purity, and reflecting Christ’s love.

Conclusion: 

Chapters 27-30 paint a picture of intentionality, beauty, and holiness in worship. The detailed instructions for the tabernacle, priestly garments, and rituals show a desire and obedience for order and reverence in how the Israelites approach God. 

At its core, it’s about creating a space—both physical and spiritual—where God’s presence can dwell among His people, and where they can encounter Him through sacrifice, prayer, and service.

Personal Challenge:

Last week we had a call to action to reflect on our giving asking the questions “Is your heart prompted to give?”, “How can your gifts build God’s Kingdom?”  “Is the Lord asking you to commit to regular tithing, volunteering, or support church ministries?” and “Is He calling you to be part of building upon the vision set forth for our church, to reach people with the life changing truth of Jesus Christ?”.  We continue to pray God reveals His desire for each of you and how He is leading you.

Do you believe that your body is a place where God dwells?  This week reflect on 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?