The entire chapter describes the newly founded priesthood and most significantly the garments that they are to wear.
“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. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 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. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.” (v1-7,9-10,12)
This chapter is one of the first (if not the first) mention of spiritual gifts being given – specifically for crafting all of the necessary items for the priesthood and tabernacle (we can assume artisans such as metalworkers, carpenters, jewelers, and tailors were given these gifts of craftsmanship). Despite the Holy Spirit now being available to everyone so that they may have access to spiritual gifts, in the OT before Jesus reconciled us to God, the Spirit would only come upon a select few, such as these artisans (and of course the leaders/priests).
There is divine detail in this chapter as God tells Moses every minute feature of the clothing the priests are to wear. This is even more detailed than the description of the tabernacle, possibly because the tent of meeting is a collection of inanimate objects, whereas these garments are meant to carry the spiritual well-being of a nation before God Himself – they had to be designed and created flawlessly. I’ll only point out a couple of the details.
There are two places where this chapter talks about the 12 sons of Israel being engraved on stones – 6 on each of the stones on the shoulders, and 1 on each of the precious stones in the breastplate. Why would this detail be important? I’m pretty sure it’s a symbolic reminder that the high priest (Aaron) would be carrying the people on his shoulders (perhaps helping bear the burden of their sin?) and close to his heart. Bringing the engraved stones into the presence of God would also represent Aaron’s intercession on the people’s behalf. The high priest, being the closest person to God in the whole assembly (the only one allowed in the holy of holies) would be the earthly representation of who God is, a physical symbol of the love of God. This is one of the reasons the clothing had to be flawless, it represented God to the people in a visual way.
Another reason the clothing had to be flawless was so Aaron and his sons would be acceptable in God’s sight – it says the garments were to consecrate them (set them apart) for God’s service. A pale comparison today would be a uniform – an employee wears a uniform to show which master (company) they serve. Aaron and his sons served God, and had to present themselves to God as loyal servants who would obey His commands – if He asked them to wear specific clothes in His service, and they truly loved Him, they would do so (even if it meant using underwear [v42-43]). If they didn’t meet God’s criteria there was a possibility of Him striking them down for their lack of reverence (unfortunately this does happen later…).
The last comment I’ll make is that this chapter reminds me how our service to God must be taken seriously, and God must be shown reverence. That doesn’t mean we can’t smile or have fun while serving Him – what that means is, if we make a commitment before God, we keep it, and that we are all-in until He calls us elsewhere. “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Num 30:2) We are to remain obedient to God at all times, as much as humanly possible, serving as He requests and going where He asks, out of reverence, respect and love for Him (like a child would be expected to obey their parents). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)
Father God, thank you for the opportunities and guidance You provide. There are countless ways we can serve You in this day and age, and we thank You in advance that the Holy Spirit within us will help discern where You’d like us to be. Out of reverence and love for You, we long to partner with You in whatever capacity or gifting You give us. Please guide our words and actions as we seek to obey, for we confess we cannot obey You flawlessly on our own – we need Your strength, please help us to do this.
~Conqueror in Training