Exodus 39:1 - Meaning and Application

In the account of making the priests’ garments, as God had already commanded in chapter 28, we should notice several things. First, the priests’ garments are called “clothes of service” in Exodus 39:1. That reminds us that people who wear robes of honor must see them as clothes for service, because honor always brings duty with it. Those who are dressed in white robes stand before God’s throne and serve him day and night in his temple (Revelation 7:13, 15).

Holy garments were not made for comfort or display, but for service, and that is what made them truly “for glory and beauty.” Even the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, came not to be served, but to serve. So the lesson is plain, greatness in God’s sight is tied to faithful work, not self-importance.

Second, each of the six parts of this account ends with the words, “as the Lord commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31). That phrase does not appear in the earlier accounts in the same way. It shows that, in these holy garments more than in the other parts of the tabernacle, they paid close attention to God’s direct command, both for permission and for guidance. This is a reminder to all the Lord’s ministers to make God’s word their rule in everything they do, and to serve only in obedience to him.

Third, these garments were rich and splendid, like the rest of the tabernacle’s furnishings. In the church’s early days, God taught and pleased his people with such outward things, which belonged to this world and its basic lessons. But under the gospel, which is the ministry of the Spirit, to insist on costly ceremonial clothing, as the church of Rome does, under the claim of decency and teaching, is to give up the freedom Christ has given us. It also pulls the church back into the slavery of outward rules that were meant only to last until God brought his better order.

Fourth, these garments were only shadows of the good things to come, while the reality is Christ and the grace of the gospel. Once the reality has come, it is foolish to be attached to the shadow. Christ is our great high priest. When he took on the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, meaning he clothed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which were given to him without measure.

He also girded himself with firm resolve to carry out his work to the end. He took all spiritual Israel on himself, bore them on his shoulders, carried them in his bosom, and held them close to his heart. He engraved them on the palms of his hands and presented them before his Father in the breastplate of judgment. He also crowned himself with “Holiness to the Lord,” giving his whole work over to the honor of his Father’s holiness. Consider, then, how great this man is.

True believers are also spiritual priests. The clean linen from which all their clothes of service must be made is the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8), meaning the right standing and holy life God gives and requires of them. “Holiness to the Lord” should be so clearly written on their foreheads that everyone who knows them can see it. Others should be able to say that they bear God’s holy image and are devoted to praising him.