When reading Holy scripture from beginning to end, we see that God desires to dwell among His people. In Exodus 28:1 – 29:46, we see a microcosm of this when God comes to covenant with and to live amongst the Old Testament Israelites (Hebrews) by setting His presence in the Tabernacle.  Nonetheless, there is a huge problem; how can the Hebrews, who are sinners, live in God’s presence and approach His holiness? To resolve this problem, the Lord provides a way through an intercessor, a priest who serves two functions: 1) to go before God as a representative of the people and 2) to go before God as a representative of the holiness of their imperfect gifts. However, because the sins of both the priests (Aaron and his sons) and the collective people of Israel are great, they must atone for them by shedding blood before entering into God’s presence;  hence, the priests must complete a God-ordained ordination (consecration) process before doing so.

As we read in chapters 28 and 29, this annual consecration process is very complex and detailed. Among many other things, it involves the priests wearing three sacred garments and sacrificing a bull and two rams twice daily for seven consecutive days. Undoubtedly, the priests must do their part by completing these rigorous requirements before entering God’s holy presence.  However, we must recognize that it is God alone (not man) who keeps this covenant relationship with His people. To fully acknowledge this truth, Let us look together at the following statements from Exodus 29:42-46:

“….where I will meet with you (Moses) to speak with you there” (Exodus 29:42).

“There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified for my glory” (Exodus 29:42).

“I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the alter” (Exodus 29:44).

“I will make Aaron and his sons holy so that they may serve me on your behalf” (Exodus 29:44).

“I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God” (Exodus29:45).

“And they shall know that I am the Lord their God…” (Exodus 29:46).

So, how does God’s covenant relationship with Israel apply to born again believers today? To answer this question, we need to look no further than the following passage from Hebrews:

“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he (Jesus) holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.  For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever” (Hebrews 7:25-28).

Brothers and sisters, God did provide a series of temporary and imperfect priests, along with animal sacrifices, as a means of approaching God and his holiness for the Old Testament saints. However, to permanently bridge the gap between sinful man and our Holy God, we need a permanent and perfect priest. And, as the above passage clearly states, we have one in Jesus Christ. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we no longer have to offer animal sacrifices because His sacrifice satisfies the penalty for all sins ever committed. Through Christ, we can fight spiritual battles with boldness rather than cower in timidity. We can rely on His strength when we are weak and we can rejoice during the storms of life because we know that He will never leave or forsake us. And the best news of all is that we will dwell together with Him for all eternity. Because of all of this and much more, He alone is worthy of out worship!

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