Exodus 27

Exodus 28

Read Exodus 28 [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/28/1/s_78001]. The LORD instructed Moses to bring forward his brother Aaron and Aaron's sons — Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar — to serve as priests before Him. To mark them for this sacred office, the LORD commanded that holy garments be made for Aaron, both "for glory and for beauty." He directed Moses to call upon all who were wise-hearted and filled with the spirit of wisdom to craft these garments, which would consecrate Aaron to the priesthood. The first and most prominent garment described was the ephod, a ceremonial vestment to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads woven with fine linen. It was to have two shoulder pieces joined at its two edges. A skillfully woven belt of the same materials was to be attached to it. Two onyx stones were to be engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel — six names on each stone — and set in gold filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod. These stones were to serve as memorial stones before the LORD, so that Aaron would bear the names of the children of Israel upon his shoulders as a continual remembrance. Next came the breastplate of judgment, crafted with the same fine workmanship and materials as the ephod. It was to be square and folded double, forming a kind of pouch. Set into it were twelve precious stones arranged in four rows of three, each stone engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The stones specified were sardius, topaz, and carbuncle in the first row; emerald, sapphire, and diamond in the second; ligure, agate, and amethyst in the third; and beryl, onyx, and jasper in the fourth — all set in gold settings. The breastplate was to be attached to the ephod by gold rings and chains of pure gold, bound at the top and secured with blue lace at the bottom so that it would not come loose. In this way, Aaron was to bear the names of the twelve tribes over his heart whenever he entered the holy place, as a continual memorial before God. Within the breastplate, Aaron was to carry the Urim and the Thummim, sacred objects used for discerning God's judgment. These were to rest over Aaron's heart whenever he came before the LORD, so that he would perpetually bear the judgment of the children of Israel before Him. God then described the robe of the ephod, which was to be made entirely of blue. It was to have a woven opening at the top for the head, reinforced like the collar of a coat of armor so that it would not tear. Along the hem, alternating pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet — made of linen — and golden bells were to be attached all around. Aaron was to wear this robe when he ministered, so that the sound of the bells would be heard as he entered and exited the holy place before the LORD. This detail was given with a solemn warning: The bells were to ensure Aaron did not die in the LORD's presence. Following the robe, God commanded that a plate of pure gold be made and engraved with the words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." This golden plate was to be fastened with a blue lace to the front of Aaron's mitre and worn upon his forehead. Its purpose was to bear any iniquity attached to the holy offerings of Israel, so that the people's gifts might be accepted before the LORD. The remaining garments — a coat, a mitre, and a girdle — were to be made for Aaron with fine linen. God also specified that linen coats, girdles, and bonnets were to be made for Aaron's sons. In addition, linen breeches were to be fashioned for both Aaron and his sons, reaching from the waist to the thighs, to cover their nakedness as they served at the altar, so that they would not bear iniquity and die. Exodus 28 concludes by stating that these garments were to be put upon Aaron and his sons when they were anointed and consecrated to serve in the priest's office. This was declared to be a statute forever, to be observed by Aaron and his descendants.

Exodus 27

Read Exodus 27 [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/27/1/s_77001]. Exodus 27 opens with the LORD giving Moses detailed instructions for constructing the altar of burnt offering for the tabernacle. The altar was to be built from shittim wood and measured five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits tall, making it a large square structure. The LORD directed that horns be fashioned at each of its four corners as part of the same piece, and that the entire altar be overlaid with brass. All of the altar's utensils — including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and fire pans — were also to be made of brass. The LORD then instructed Moses to make a brass grating in the form of a network, to be placed beneath the altar's ledge, with a brass ring at each of its four corners. Carrying poles made of shittim wood and covered in brass were to be inserted through these rings, allowing the altar to be transported. The altar itself was to be constructed as a hollow shell made of planks. Exodus 27 then turns to the instructions for the courtyard of the tabernacle. The courtyard was to be enclosed by linen curtains hanging from brass posts set in brass bases, with the south and north sides each measuring one hundred cubits and the east and west sides measuring fifty cubits. The posts were to have silver hooks and silver bands. Special attention was given to the entrance of the courtyard, which faced east. The gateway was to be twenty cubits wide and screened with a decorative curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn along with finely twisted linen, the work of an embroiderer. The four posts supporting this curtain were also to have silver hooks and bands, set in brass bases. Finally, the LORD commanded that the Israelites be required to bring pure, pressed olive oil to keep the lamps of the tabernacle burning continually. This was to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, observed by Aaron and his sons from evening until morning before the LORD.

Exodus 26

Read Exodus 26 [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/26/1/s_76001]. The LORD instructed Moses on the construction of the tabernacle. It was to be built using ten curtains made of finely twisted linen, woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and decorated with artistic designs of cherubim. Each curtain was the same size, and they were to be joined together in two sets of five, with loops of blue material and gold clasps linking the two sets into a single unified covering. An additional set of eleven curtains made of goat hair was to be placed over the linen curtains as a protective outer covering. These goat hair curtains were slightly larger than the linen ones, and they too were joined in sets — five together and six together — with brass clasps fastening them. The extra length of these curtains was designed to hang down over the back and sides of the tabernacle, providing full coverage and protection. Over the goat hair curtains, the LORD directed Moses to place two more layers of coverings: one made of ram skins dyed red, and another outermost layer made of badger skins, shielding the entire structure from the elements. The framework of the tabernacle was to be constructed from upright frames made of shittim wood, each overlaid with gold. These frames were fitted with silver bases and connected by gold-covered crossbars running through rings, creating a sturdy and stable structure. Specific numbers and dimensions were given for each side — twenty frames for the north and south sides, eight for the west — ensuring precise and uniform construction. Finally, the LORD gave instructions for the inner curtain, or veil, which was to be made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, again with cherubim worked into it. This veil was to be hung on four gold-overlaid shittim posts with gold hooks and silver bases, and it served as the dividing barrier separating the holy place from the most holy place, where the ark of the testimony would rest. A second curtain was to be made for the entrance of the tent, hung on five posts.

Exodus 25

Read Exodus 25 [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/25/1/s_75001]. The LORD instructed Moses to collect offerings from the Israelites — gold, silver, and brass; blue, purple, and scarlet; fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red; badger skin; shittim wood; oil; spices; and onyx and other precious stones. These were to be freewill offerings, given from the heart. The purpose of these materials was to construct a sanctuary so that the LORD could live among his people. The LORD then gave Moses precise instructions for building the ark of the testimony. It was to be a chest made of shittim wood, overlaid inside and out with pure gold, with a gold molding around it. Gold rings were to be attached to its four feet, through which shittim wood poles — also overlaid with gold — would be inserted for carrying. Into the ark, Moses was to place the testimony that God would provide. The lid of the ark, called the mercy seat, is also described in detail. It was to be made of pure gold, with two golden cherubim crafted at each end, their wings spread upward to overshadow the cover and their faces turned toward it. The LORD declared that he would meet with Moses and speak to him from above this cover, between the two cherubim. Next, the LORD gave instructions for a table, also made of shittim wood overlaid with gold and fitted with gold rings and carrying poles. The table was to hold the shewbread, and various dishes and spoons made of pure gold were to be made to accompany it. Finally, the LORD described the candlestick, which was to be made entirely of pure hammered gold. It would have a central shaft with six branches extending from its sides — three on each side — each branch adorned with cup-shaped blossoms in the style of almond flowers. The candlestick was to have seven lamps set on it to give light, along with accompanying tools such as tongs and snuffdishes, all made of pure gold. God noted that the entire candlestick and its accessories were to be made according to the exact pattern he had shown Moses on the mountain.

Exodus 24

Read Exodus 24 [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/24/1/s_74001]. Moses relayed to the people all the words and ordinances the LORD had spoken, and the people responded with unanimous agreement, pledging to obey everything God had commanded. Moses then wrote down all the LORD's words and rose early the next morning to build an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai, along with twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent young Israelite men to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice oxen as peace offerings to the LORD. Moses took half of the blood from the sacrifices and put it in basins, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. He then read the book of the covenant aloud to the people, who again affirmed their commitment to obey all that the LORD had spoken. Moses sprinkled blood on the people, declaring it the blood of the covenant that God had made with them based on all these words. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel then ascended the mountain, where they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself. God did not strike down these leaders of Israel — they saw Him, and they ate and drank together in His presence. Afterward, the LORD called Moses to come up higher on the mountain to receive the stone tablets on which God had written the law and commandments. Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, instructing the elders to wait and to refer any disputes to Aaron and Hur in his absence. As Moses went up, a cloud covered the mountain, and the glory of the LORD settled upon Mount Sinai for six days. On the seventh day, the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. To the Israelites watching below, the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire blazing on top of the mountain. Moses entered the cloud and went up the mountain, where he stayed for forty days and forty nights.