Exodus Chapter 28

Exodus 28 — “Clothed in Glory to Stand Before God”

Exodus 27 gave us the altar and the light.
Exodus 28 now gives us the priest.

God does not allow anyone to approach Him unprepared.
Those who stand before His holiness must be clothed by Him.

This chapter teaches a central Catholic truth:

Grace does not abolish office — it consecrates it.

1. God Chooses His Priests

“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him…” (Ex 28:1)

The priesthood is not self-chosen.
It is called.

God chooses who will stand at His altar.

This continues in the Church:

No one takes priesthood for himself.
It is received.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“The priest stands on earth but acts in heaven; his office is from God, not from men.”
(On the Priesthood)

2. The Priests Are Clothed in Glory

“You shall make holy garments for Aaron… for glory and for beauty.” (v. 2)

God wants His priests to reflect His holiness.

Their garments proclaim:

  • God is glorious
  • worship is beautiful
  • priesthood is sacred

The Church still clothes her priests for this reason.

Not for vanity —
but for revelation.

3. The Ephod: Bearing God’s People

“You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel…” (vv. 9–12)

The priest carries the people on his shoulders.

This is the heart of priesthood:

to carry souls before God.

Christ fulfils this perfectly.

He bears us on His Cross.

St Augustine writes:

“The priest carries Israel; Christ carries the world.”
(Sermons)

4. The Breastplate: Love and Judgment

“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment…” (v. 15)

The priest carries the people not only in strength,
but in love.

Over the heart.

Each tribe is set in precious stone.

Every soul is valuable.

God does not see a crowd —
He sees names.

5. God Guides Through the Priest

“In the breastpiece… you shall put the Urim and the Thummim.” (v. 30)

God speaks through His priest.

The priest is not an entertainer —
he is an instrument of divine guidance.

This continues in the Church:

Christ speaks through His ministers.

6. The Robe and Bells

“Its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place…” (v. 35)

The priest’s movement is not hidden.

Holiness is not secret.

God’s presence is announced.

This is why the Church surrounds worship with sound — bells, chant, prayer.

7. The Golden Crown

“Holy to the Lord.” (v. 36)

This is written on Aaron’s forehead.

The priest is marked:

He belongs to God.

The priest stands between heaven and earth.

Christ is the perfect fulfilment.

He is both priest and sacrifice.

8. The Linen Garments

“You shall make for them linen breeches…” (v. 42)

God commands modesty and purity.

Those who stand before Him must be clean.

This is why the Church requires:

moral purity
reverence
discipline

Priesthood is sacred because God is sacred.

Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 28

ThemeMeaning
Priestly callingDivine election
GarmentsGrace covering human weakness
BreastplateGod carries His people
Urim and ThummimGod guides through priesthood
HolinessRequired to stand before God

Christ at the Centre of Exodus 28

The Fathers saw this chapter fulfilled in Christ:

  • Aaron → Christ
  • Garments → Christ’s righteousness
  • Stones → the faithful
  • Breastplate → Christ’s Sacred Heart
  • Crown → Kingship and priesthood

St Gregory Nazianzen writes:

“Christ is clothed in humanity so that we may be clothed in divinity.”
(Orations)

Spiritual Application

  • Let Christ clothe you in holiness.
  • Let Him carry you before the Father.
  • Respect the priesthood.
  • Live as one marked “Holy to the Lord.”

Closing Prayer

Lord God,
You clothed Your priests in glory and beauty
to stand before Your holy presence.
Clothe us now in Christ, the true High Priest,
who bears us on His heart and leads us into Your presence.
Make us a holy people,
set apart for Your glory,
until we stand before You clothed in eternal light.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.