After reading chapter 39:
*Next we are told about the construction of the priestly garments, the ephod, the breastpiece, the tunics, robes, turban, etc. When all the work was done, everything was brought to Moses for inspection. It all passed the quality assurance test. So, Moses blessed them.
Showing posts with label breast-piece. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast-piece. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Exodus chapter 28
After reading chapter 28:
*We are told that Aaron, and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar are to be the priests. The preists are to have special costly garments made for them to wear, a tunic, robe, ephod, breastplate, sash and turban. They will probably have the finest clothes of all the Israelites. Why does God need priests?
*Next, there are instructions for the construction of the ephod. On each of the gold filigree shoulder pieces of the ephod, there is to be an onyx stone engraved with the names of six tribes of Israel.
*Next are instructions for the breast plate. It will have twelve different colored precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. They are to be set in gold filigree. Aaron will wear the breastplate whenever he enters the holy place. (The special room in the tabernacle with the ark and God hovering over it.) The Urim and Thummim , apparently some kind of stones used for divination, are also to be put on the breastplate to help Aaron make decisions for the Israelites. Why can't Aaron just ask God straight out? Why the necessity for hocus pocus?
*There are additional instructions for the ephod and the robe. The robe is to have bells on its hem, so that the sound of the bells will be heard when Aaron enters the holy place and when he comes out, "so that he will not die." God needs a warning, or he will kill if surprised? That doesn't sound very god-like.
*We also have instructions for the turban Aaron is to wear. It must have a gold plate engraved with the words " holy to Yahweh." Somehow this gold plate insures that the Israelites sacrifices will be acceptable to God. Aaron will bear any guilt associated with the sacrifices. That doesn't seem fair, does it?
*Next are more instructions for the construction of the tunics, sashes, and head bands to be worn by Aaron's sons. These will give them dignity and honor, and make them look wealthier and more important than other Israelites. Aaron's sons are to be consecrated as priests by anointing and ordaining, because those things magically make a person holy.
*Last, but not least, the priests must wear special underwear before they can enter the tabernacle. Or they might incur guilt and die. Because going commando is just wrong. It is so wrong that priestly underwear is a lasting ordinance.
*We are told that Aaron, and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar are to be the priests. The preists are to have special costly garments made for them to wear, a tunic, robe, ephod, breastplate, sash and turban. They will probably have the finest clothes of all the Israelites. Why does God need priests?
*Next, there are instructions for the construction of the ephod. On each of the gold filigree shoulder pieces of the ephod, there is to be an onyx stone engraved with the names of six tribes of Israel.
*Next are instructions for the breast plate. It will have twelve different colored precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. They are to be set in gold filigree. Aaron will wear the breastplate whenever he enters the holy place. (The special room in the tabernacle with the ark and God hovering over it.) The Urim and Thummim , apparently some kind of stones used for divination, are also to be put on the breastplate to help Aaron make decisions for the Israelites. Why can't Aaron just ask God straight out? Why the necessity for hocus pocus?
*There are additional instructions for the ephod and the robe. The robe is to have bells on its hem, so that the sound of the bells will be heard when Aaron enters the holy place and when he comes out, "so that he will not die." God needs a warning, or he will kill if surprised? That doesn't sound very god-like.
*We also have instructions for the turban Aaron is to wear. It must have a gold plate engraved with the words " holy to Yahweh." Somehow this gold plate insures that the Israelites sacrifices will be acceptable to God. Aaron will bear any guilt associated with the sacrifices. That doesn't seem fair, does it?
*Next are more instructions for the construction of the tunics, sashes, and head bands to be worn by Aaron's sons. These will give them dignity and honor, and make them look wealthier and more important than other Israelites. Aaron's sons are to be consecrated as priests by anointing and ordaining, because those things magically make a person holy.
*Last, but not least, the priests must wear special underwear before they can enter the tabernacle. Or they might incur guilt and die. Because going commando is just wrong. It is so wrong that priestly underwear is a lasting ordinance.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Exodus chapter 25
After reading chapter 25:
*While Moses was on the mountain, Yahweh told him that the Israelites were to make offerings of rich materials that would be used to construct an ephod, a breast-piece, a tabernacle and furnishings.
*Then, instructions were given in how to make a fancy golden chest, with a lid that has one cherub at each end. This chest is called an ark in English, but it just means chest. Inside the chest, something called "The Testimony" was to be placed. When it was closed, Yahweh would be hovering over the top, between the cherubim. So, when God was there, does that mean he was not anywhere else?
* Instructions were also given for the construction of a special golden table and dishes of pure gold. Something called "the bread of the presence" was to be on the table, set in front of Yahweh, who would be over the ark.
*Next, we have instructions for a fancy lamp stand of pure gold, seven oil lamps to put on the stand, and golden wick trimmers and trays, all to be made according to a specific pattern. Pure gold, being a very soft metal, would be very impractical for these uses. but maybe God is more into aesthetics and an appearance of wealth than practicality.
*The question I have is, why? All this stuff seems to be needless, and needlessly complicating god's relationship with the people. An all powerful God certainly wouldn't need these things. If it is just as a test of obedience, that seems rather petty and controlling. It would make more sense if such a display of wealth were the priests' idea. Plus, other ancient gods had similar implements used in their service.
*While Moses was on the mountain, Yahweh told him that the Israelites were to make offerings of rich materials that would be used to construct an ephod, a breast-piece, a tabernacle and furnishings.
*Then, instructions were given in how to make a fancy golden chest, with a lid that has one cherub at each end. This chest is called an ark in English, but it just means chest. Inside the chest, something called "The Testimony" was to be placed. When it was closed, Yahweh would be hovering over the top, between the cherubim. So, when God was there, does that mean he was not anywhere else?
* Instructions were also given for the construction of a special golden table and dishes of pure gold. Something called "the bread of the presence" was to be on the table, set in front of Yahweh, who would be over the ark.
*Next, we have instructions for a fancy lamp stand of pure gold, seven oil lamps to put on the stand, and golden wick trimmers and trays, all to be made according to a specific pattern. Pure gold, being a very soft metal, would be very impractical for these uses. but maybe God is more into aesthetics and an appearance of wealth than practicality.
*The question I have is, why? All this stuff seems to be needless, and needlessly complicating god's relationship with the people. An all powerful God certainly wouldn't need these things. If it is just as a test of obedience, that seems rather petty and controlling. It would make more sense if such a display of wealth were the priests' idea. Plus, other ancient gods had similar implements used in their service.
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