What is the meaning of Exodus 28:43? Aaron and his sons must wear them “Aaron and his sons must wear them …” (Exodus 28:43). • “Them” refers to the priestly garments just described, including the linen undergarments (Exodus 28:42). God Himself designed these clothes to reflect His holiness (Exodus 28:2). • Wearing them signaled that ministry was God-appointed, not self-appointed (Hebrews 5:4). • The principle of God-given attire echoes earlier when Adam and Eve received garments from the LORD (Genesis 3:21), showing only God can properly clothe sinners for His presence. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar • The command covers every appearance before the LORD—inside the Tent (Exodus 30:20-21) or at the bronze altar in the courtyard (Leviticus 9:7). No “off-hours” existed in sacred service (Numbers 18:7). • Approach required preparation; even the high priest couldn’t enter the Most Holy Place without obedience (Leviticus 16:2). The New Covenant fulfillment is seen in Christ, who entered “once for all” with perfect righteousness (Hebrews 9:12). To minister in the Holy Place • Ministry (serving) in God’s dwelling demanded separation from common life (Exodus 19:22). • The Holy Place symbolized continual fellowship, where lamps, bread, and incense pictured Israel’s worship (Hebrews 9:6). Proper clothing kept the priests rightly identified as consecrated servants. • Today believers are called “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9); while our clothing is now Christ’s righteousness (Galatians 3:27), the pattern of reverent service remains. So that they will not incur guilt and die • Disobedience would bring immediate judgment. Nadab and Abihu learned this when they offered unauthorized fire and died before the LORD (Leviticus 10:1-2). • Holiness protects the worshiper; sin exposed in God’s presence is lethal (Numbers 18:22). • The warning underscores God’s justice and mercy—He provides the means to avoid guilt (the garments), then insists they be used. In Christ, our High Priest bore our guilt so we might live (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants • “Permanent” (Exodus 29:9) fixed the ordinance for every generation of Aaron’s line as long as the tabernacle/temple system stood. • The continuity pointed ahead to a priesthood that would never end; Jesus now holds that “permanent priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). • Yet the moral lesson remains permanent: approach God on His terms, clothed in what He provides, not in self-made righteousness (Romans 10:3). summary Exodus 28:43 teaches that God’s priests had to wear divinely prescribed garments every time they served, whether inside the Tent of Meeting or at the altar. The clothing marked them as holy, preserved them from guilt and death, and established a lasting ordinance for all Aaron’s descendants. The command highlights the seriousness of entering God’s presence and foreshadows Christ, the sinless High Priest, who perfectly clothes believers in His righteousness so we may serve the living God without fear. |
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