Exodus 30

Exodus 29

In Exodus 29, we discussed how Jesus is both the High Priest and the perfect atoning sacrifice. By recognizing Hebrew’s connection to the priestly ordination of Aaron and his sons here in Exodus, we can better understand the significance of Jesus’s priesthood and our unhindered access to God’s presence as His holy people. 

Within Exodus 30, the instructions as to how Aaron and his priestly line to come after him is to be set apart, and furthermore, how they should maintain the sacrality of the Tabernacle. Now, if you are anything like me, the Tabernacle is hard to understand initially, and the connections to Jesus’s accomplishment of eternal salvation for God’s people are difficult to track. However, this is not just a deeply philosophical narrative, but a beautiful display of God’s desire to be with His people, though His holiness and our brokenness are, well… not a match made in heaven, so to speak. 

In this chapter alone, we see the priestly process include altars coated in gold to burn incense and atone for sin, bronze bowls to wash before entering and atoning, and oils to be replicated nowhere else in the land. The furniture and perfumes are crafted by tradesmen specifically filled with and inspired by the Holy Spirit in their work, all to be placed and administered in a space laid out by God Himself, who delivers these instructions to Moses. In his commentary, the instructions are so detailed that John MacArthur tells us “nothing was left to chance or to human ingenuity” (p.127). Why? Because it is clear from the beginning; on our own, God’s holiness is dangerous to us, sinful humanity. 

Thinking back to the garden, when Adam and Eve’s sin becomes apparent to them, and they hide in the bushes from their creator who is calling out to them, what could have been their motive to do so? Because God had made the consequences clear; if you eat that fruit, you will surely die (Genesis 3:3). In fact, death was not uncommon for priests entering the inner room of the Tabernacle. God even equips Aaron’s priestly garments to have bells so that he will not die coming in and out of the Holy Place (Exodus 28:35). To attempt to define the separation between our creator and us, approaching Him without proper consecration, or process of being made Holy, His presence presents dire consequences. Yet the desire is made clear through the entire narrative of scripture: God longs to be with His people, and furthermore, we actually need Him and His presence, which appears to be so dangerous to us. 

But praise God! In recognizing what defines the gap that separates Him from His people, we have Jesus, who fulfills and eliminates the need for this process described here in Exodus to be continued as He is the true lamb of God, the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of His people forever. Because of His perfect life, death, and resurrection, God’s Holiness has become no less dangerous to those still in the world, rather, those who believe in Jesus, claiming Him as Lord of their life, have been made Holy by His hand alone. 

As the writer of yesterday's devotional encouraged us: let this lead you to praise our God and worship Him to flow from you. Meditate on the peace we now have with our God through Jesus Christ.