Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 13 July 2024

Text: Exodus 28

Message: “Holy garments”

INTRODUCTION

1. The priestly ministry

a. The concept of the priesthood was new to the children of Israel at this point

b. God had now given them priests to serve in the Tabernacle

c. Exodus 28-29 were God’s instructions regarding the priesthood

2. Today’s focus – “Holy garments” (Exodus 28)

a. The significance of the holy garments of the priest

b. The lessons for the priests and the children of Israel to learn

c. The lessons for us to learn today

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOLY GARMENTS

“Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.

Exodus 28:1-4

1. General principle of garments

a. To identify

i. Country

ii. School

iii. Organisation

b. To distinguish

i. Male and female

ii. Leaders

c. To dignify

i. Kings

ii. Officials

2. The significance of holy garments for the high priest

a. To distinguish him from the rest of the people

i. That he is God’s chosen person to minister to Him in the Tabernacle

ii. That he is specially set apart from among the children of Israel

b. To teach the people of Israel to regard the office of the high priest

i. The priesthood is a holy ministry to God

ii. The high priest bears the glory and beauty of God

iii. He is to be honoured for his role as high priest!

c. To teach the high priest to honour God in his dressing

i. The high priest must adorn these priestly garments to minister to God

ii. He cannot come before God in any other clothing

iii. He must have a great sense of consciousness of God as he serves Him!

THE SYMBOLISMS IN THE HOLY GARMENTS

1. The material of the ephod and breastplate

a. Gold, blue, purple and scarlet thread embroidered on fine linen (Exodus 28:5, 15)

i. Gold and purple – represents royalty

ii. Blue – represents the sky (heaven)

iii. Scarlet – represents blood (sacrifice)

b. What they communicate about the ministry of the high priest

i. It is glorious and magnificent

ii. It is towards God in heaven

iii. It involves the atonement of sin on behalf of the people

2. The semi-precious stones on the ephod and breastplate

a. The two onyx stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-11)

i. To be engraved with the names of the sons of Israel

ii. Six names on one stone and six names on the other

b. The twelve stones on the breastplate (Exodus 28:17-21)

i. Each to be of different stone material

ii. To be engraved with names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names

c. Purpose of these stones

i. For the priests to learn to represent the children of Israel

ii. He is to bear the names of the children of Israel on his shoulders as his responsibility (Exodus 28:12)

iii. He is to bear their names over his heart in love and concern (Exodus 28:29)

LESSONS FOR US TO LEARN

1. To honour God in how we dress when we come for worship

a. How we dress for worship matters to God

b. It must honour Him and reflect our regard for Him

c. This is the principle we see behind the priestly garments

2. To live with a great sense of consciousness towards God

a. That He is holy

b. That He is glorious

c. That He deserves our utmost in ministry