“And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever unto him and his seed after him.”
This verse is part of the larger context of the instructions God gave to Moses regarding the priestly garments and the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests to serve in the tabernacle.
Garments for the Priests:The preceding verses (Exodus 28:1-43) describe the detailed instructions God gave for making the priestly garments. These garments were to be worn by Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, who were consecrated as priests. The garments were meant to set them apart and distinguish them as they ministered before the Lord.
Ministering in the Holy Place:The priests were required to wear these special garments whenever they came into the tabernacle of the congregation or approached the altar to perform their priestly duties. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God’s presence among the Israelites, and the holy place within the tabernacle was a sacred area where certain rituals and offerings took place.
Purpose of the Garments:The verse highlights two primary purposes for the priestly garments. First, it was to ensure that Aaron and his sons did not bear iniquity when they ministered before the Lord. This means that the specific garments symbolized their righteousness and the sanctity of their office. The garments represented their consecration and purity before God.
Protection and Consequence:The second purpose mentioned in the verse is that wearing these garments was essential for the priests’ safety. If they did not wear the prescribed attire when ministering, they risked incurring God’s judgment, possibly leading to their death. This emphasizes the seriousness of approaching God with proper reverence and obedience.
Eternal Statute:The instruction regarding the priestly garments was not a temporary requirement but a perpetual statute for Aaron and his descendants. The priesthood was intended to be an enduring institution among the Israelites, serving as a foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest to come – Jesus Christ – who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
In summary, Exodus 28:43 reminds us of the significance of obedience and reverence when approaching God. The priestly garments symbolized purity and righteousness and served as a protection for the priests as they ministered before the Lord. Moreover, this passage foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who would become the eternal High Priest, interceding on behalf of humanity and offering the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of sin.
