Exodus 39

Chapter 39, just like the previous two chapters speaks of things that were discussed earlier when God was giving instructions to Moses. In this case we see the description of the priestly garments. There are five sections to this chapter the first four sections deal with the priestly garments, the remaining section deals with all the items being brought for Moses to inspect. As I did with the last two chapters I will show the corresponding chapters and then hit the highlights of what I find of importance.

1. The Holy Clothes: 39:1 (Exodus 28:1 – 5)
2. The Ephod: 39:2 – 7 (Exodus 28:6 – 14)
3. The Breastplate: 39:8 – 21 (Exodus 28:15 – 28)
4. Other Clothes: 39:22 – 31 (Exodus 28:31 – 43)

What is different in this chapter that is not in the previous chapter is the descriptive detail of how they created the clothes. Take a look at the verses dealing with the Ephod. The detail work that had to go into creating the cloth and creating this piece of clothing, it is amazing. Specific is the fact that the gold thread is not just gold color thread but actually handmade gold thread. The gold was hammered thin, cut then woven in.

Another point that I find fascinating is found in verse 30. Here we see a crown that is fastened to the priest’s turban that says, “Holy to the LORD”. 1. It is placed on the head and that seems to me to be important in the fact that sometimes it is our head that gets us in trouble. 2. It declares the priest Holy to the LORD. It is declaratory that the priest belongs to the Lord.
The point in this is that God is in the details. He cares about the finest of thread that is put into the making of these clothes.

In the final section, verses 32 – 43, the craftsmen bring all the things to Moses for him to inspect. (I can imagine the clothes being passed on to Aaron and his and as they pull each piece out a tag falling out inspected by MOSES.) We see in verse 43 that Moses found everything was made to the LORD’s instructions and so he blessed them.

The Application

Two things that I see one God is into the details. Since he is into the details so much with these clothes and what is put into them don’t you think that he is even more into the details with you. God cares about you greater than he cares about these clothes. The second thing I see is that God declares us as holy to himself. We are a holy, royal, priesthood set aside for his glory and his purpose.