Torah: Exodus 27:20–30:10
PROPHETS: Ezekiel 43:10–27
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: Hebrews 13:10–16

The devotional below is designed to help you dive deeper into God’s heart by exploring Torah as the gateway into transformational Bible reading.

SUNDAY

Torah 1 & 2

Torah 1: 
Illuminating the Presence of The Lord
Exodus 27:20–28:12

Last week God gave Moses instructions to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the earthly dwelling for His habitation. How many pieces of “holy furniture” can you remember? Can you remember where these pieces of furniture were located (hint: one main piece in the inner Most Holy Place and two pieces so far identified in the Holy Place)? This week God sculpts His “set apart ones” (kohanim=priests) to “light” the way by clothing and consecrating them. (The actual ceremony to ordain and set apart the kohanim happens in Leviticus 8 after the Mishkan is constructed.)

God instructs Moses to “command” the Israelites to bring pure olive oil to keep the holy Menorah glowing before the presence of the Lord (27:20–21; cf. Leviticus 24:1–4). He also gives instructions to prepare holy vestments/garments for the kohanim who will minister before Him. The garments for the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) are the main focus. The Kohen Gadol wears many layers, beginning closest to the skin and working outward: the linen undergarment covering the area below the waist, the tunic secured around the waist with a sash, a robe covered by an ephod over which is secured the breastpiece. The ephod (28:6–12) is most likely a sleeveless overgarment with shoulder pieces that is secured by a skillfully woven waistband. 

Torah 2:
Serving The Lord in Holy Garments
Exodus 28:13–30

The breastpiece (vv. 13–30) is made of linen and wool (could this sacred “mixing” of materials be the basis for preventing such mixing in secular contexts, Deuteronomy 22:11?), is about 9 inches square, and the “folded-over” material probably created a pouch in which the Urim and Thummim were kept (Leviticus 8:8). The Kohen Gadol bears the community he represents upon his shoulders and upon his heart.

Application

Yeshua is our Kohen Gadol and He carries our burdens on His shoulders and our heart in His hands. He is alive at God’s right hand in the heavenly Mishkan interceding for you now (cf. Hebrews 7:24–25 and 9:11, 24)! When do you most often come to Him in prayer? Do you come mainly when you want certain “needs” met? Messiah lives – and His love for you is beyond measure. Respond to His invitation in Matthew 11:28–30 today!

MONDAY

Torah 3 & 4

Torah 3: 
Garments for Priestly Service
Exodus 28:31–43

28:31–35
Under the ephod, the Kohen Gadol wears a blue knit robe. The hem is embroidered with pomegranates and golden bells that could be heard jingling during his ministry in the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting).

28:36–38
Upon his head is a turban that contains a frontlet, a small golden plate, bearing the inscription “Holy to the Lord.” This inscription identifies that he is “set apart” to fulfill God’s purposes, uphold His holiness, minister His mercy, and display His glory. Just as the priest is set apart among the nation in this way – so to, the Sinai covenant set Israel apart among the nations for these priestly purposes (cf. Jeremiah 2:3). Also in this way, Yeshua became the Kohen Gadol to save us through our faith and lead us in His power (cf. Hebrews 5:1–10).

28:39–43
The tunic and sash, the turban, and the linen undergarments are not just for the Kohen Gadol (v. 39), but also for the rest of the kohanim (priests, the descendants of Aaron) as well (vv. 40–43).
 

Torah 4:
Preparing Kohanim for Priestly Service
Exodus 29:1–18 

29:1–3
Just as materials needed to build the Mishkan are listed (Exodus 25:1–7) before the instructions are given to actually build it (25:8–27:19), so too are the materials listed first before the instructions for installing the kohanim (i.e. three animals and matzah in a basket).

29:4–9
All the kohanim are to be washed (v. 4) and dressed (vv. 8–9) but only Aaron, the Kohen Gadol is to be anointed with oil (vv. 5–7).

29:10–14
The first animal to be sacrificially used in the installation process is a bull for the chatat (sin or purification offering).

29:15–18
The second sacrificial animal is a ram for the olah (ascent or burnt offering). These two sacrifices prepare and set apart the kohanim for priestly service. The kohanim perform s’micha (laying on of hands) for both of these animals (vv. 10, 15). When blood is involved in ritual ceremonies there is great theological significance to where this blood is applied. Where is the blood from the chatat applied (v. 12)? Compare this blood manipulation to the covenant ceremony at Mt. Sinai that set apart Israel as a holy and priestly nation among the nations of the world (24:6).

application

If worship and fellowship happen “at the altar,” how does this innocent blood of chatat cleanse the place where God in His holiness will meet with man in his unholiness (cf. Leviticus 16:19)? Meditate on this and why it’s so important. Now read Hebrews 9:11–14. How does Messiah’s innocent blood cleanse your heart and conscience as the place where God dwells through faith in Yeshua and by the power of His Spirit? Meet with Him at your “heart altar” now through prayer and worship Him. Read Psalm 99 and personalize it as a song of praise from your heart directly to the Throne of Grace for the precious privilege of our access to Him! Ask Him to stir you with passion for the lost from Israel and the Nations that God in His glory and splendor will reign on earth!

TUESDAY

torah 5 & 6

Torah 5: 
Ordaining Kohanim for Fellowship
(cf. Being Disciples) 
Exodus 29:19–37

29:19–20
The third sacrificial animal is the other ram for the ordination offering (a special kind of sh’lamim, [fellowship or peace offering]). After s’micha and slaughter, where is the blood applied (v. 20)? Compare this blood manipulation to the covenant ceremony at Mt. Sinai that set apart Israel as a holy and priestly nation among the nations of the world (24:8).

29:21–37
The ordination process also includes:

a) Mixing blood from the altar with anointing oil and applying it directly on all kohanim and their garments (v. 21)

b) Burning the fat, right thigh, and Matzah from the basket after the kohanim wave these in their hands before the Lord (vv. 22–25)

c) Moses, as the officiating priest, eating the breast portion (v. 26)

d) A concluding fellowship meal in the presence of the Lord (vv. 31–34)—compare this climactic fellowship experience to the one that concluded the covenant ceremony at Mt. Sinai (24:11)

e) A 7–day process with daily chatat offerings that render the bronze, outer altar “Most Holy” (vv. 35–37).  
 

Torah 6: 
Using Kohanim to Serve Man in Worshiping God
(cf. Making Disciples) 
Exodus 29:38–46 

29:39–42
This ordination ceremony frees the kohanim to minister and worship before the presence of the Lord and also to serve the people in drawing close to God in worship and sacrifice. The regular daily olah involves beginning the day and ending the day with gifts to God (cf. Numbers 28:1–8).

29:43–46
Read vv. 43–46 for a summary of God’s plan and purpose previewed in Exodus 25:8. Old Covenant Tabernacle priests foreshadow New Covenant believer priests! Can you see how the process of preparing these kohanim for priestly service in 29:1–18 foreshadows the way God’s Spirit drew you and prepared you to serve Him? How does the process of ordaining these kohanim foreshadow the way that God set you apart by His Spirit purifying and renewing you? Priests must first “be” in His presence before they can serve others in drawing near to Him (“making” worshipers/disciples).

application

Read John 15:5–8 and listen to God’s word to you in regarding “being” His set apart follower. Also consider how He wants you to go about “making” other set apart followers. How might beginning and ending each day in communion with God through prayer and Bible reading parallel the daily olah?