Commentary - Exodus 39:27-29

Bird's-eye view

In this section of Exodus, we are in the midst of the detailed accounting of the construction of the tabernacle and its associated articles. This is not a tedious inventory for its own sake; it is the inspired record of faithful obedience. God had given Moses the intricate blueprint on the mountain, and here, down on the plain, the people of God are meticulously carrying out those instructions. These verses focus on the simpler, yet essential, linen garments for Aaron and his sons. Unlike the glorious and colorful ephod and breastpiece of the high priest, these are the foundational garments, the "undergarments" of the priesthood. Their primary material is fine white linen, a fabric that consistently symbolizes righteousness and purity throughout Scripture. The passage underscores a central theme of Exodus: God not only redeems His people but also makes a way for them to dwell with Him and serve Him in holiness. This can only happen when His specific commands for worship are followed precisely, an obedience that points forward to the perfect obedience of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who clothes His people in His own perfect righteousness.

The repeated phrase, "just as Yahweh had commanded Moses," which bookends this section, is the drumbeat to which all the work is done. This is not about human creativity or aesthetic preference; it is about conformity to the divine pattern. The creation of these garments is a tangible expression of a covenant people learning to walk in the ways of their covenant Lord. Every thread is a thread of obedience, and every garment is a picture of the holiness required to stand before a holy God, a holiness that we could never weave for ourselves.

Outline

Context In Exodus

Exodus 39 is the culmination of the lengthy section detailing the construction of the tabernacle, which began with God's instructions to Moses in chapter 25. This chapter serves as the final inspection report. It systematically recounts the creation of the priestly garments (vv. 1-31) and the tabernacle itself (vv. 32-41), consistently noting that everything was done "as Yahweh had commanded Moses." This meticulous repetition emphasizes Israel's faithfulness in this task, a stark and welcome contrast to the golden calf apostasy in chapter 32. This section, therefore, demonstrates the fruit of covenant renewal. After a catastrophic breach, God has graciously restored His people, and they are now responding with detailed, careful obedience. This chapter immediately precedes the erection of the tabernacle in chapter 40, where the glory of God will descend and fill it, signifying His approval of the work and His intention to dwell among His people. The making of these garments is a necessary prerequisite for the consecration of the priests who will minister in that glorious presence.

Key Issues

Clothed in Commanded Righteousness

We live in an age that chafes at the very idea of commanded worship. We prefer spontaneous, authentic, from-the-heart expressions, and we tend to view detailed instructions as stifling legalism. But here in Exodus, we find the exact opposite principle at work. True worship, acceptable worship, is obedient worship. God is holy, and man is not, and so for man to approach God, it must be on God's terms, not our own. The entire ceremonial law, with its intricate patterns for the tabernacle and its furniture, the sacrifices, and these priestly garments, was a massive object lesson in this foundational truth.

The garments described here are not primarily for the benefit of the priests' comfort or for the aesthetic admiration of the people. They are theological statements woven into fabric. They speak of the need for a covering, a purity that is not native to the man wearing them. The fine white linen speaks of a righteousness that is required for service. And where does this righteousness come from? It is "made," it is "woven," it is constructed according to a divine pattern. This points us forward. The Old Testament priest was clothed in a symbolic righteousness, a righteousness made of linen. But the New Testament believer is clothed in a true and substantial righteousness, the very righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to him by faith. These linen garments were a shadow, and a gracious one at that, of the glorious reality to come. They were a constant reminder that to serve God, you must be clothed by God.

Verse by Verse Commentary

27 They made the tunics of finely woven linen for Aaron and his sons,

The work begins with the foundational garment, the tunic. This was a long, shirt-like garment that formed the base layer for the priests. It is significant that these were made for both Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, the regular priests. While Aaron had unique, glorious vestments for his high priestly role, all priests began with the same foundation: fine linen. This tells us that the basic requirement for all ministry before God is the same. It is a requirement of righteousness. The linen is described as finely woven, indicating its quality and purity. This was not sackcloth. This was the best, carefully prepared. The righteousness God requires is a perfect righteousness, without flaw or blemish. This tunic covered the man, signifying that his personal identity was to be subsumed in his priestly office, an office defined by this linen purity.

28 and the turban of fine linen, and the headdresses of the caps of fine linen, and the linen undergarments of fine twisted linen,

This verse continues the inventory of the basic linen set. The turban for Aaron and the headdresses or caps for his sons covered their heads. In Scripture, the head often represents thought, authority, and identity. To cover the head with fine linen was to dedicate the mind to the pure service of God. The priest's thoughts were not to be his own; they were to be governed by the holiness of his office. Then we have the linen undergarments. These were for modesty, to cover their nakedness (Ex. 28:42). This is a fundamental point. Fallen man cannot stand before a holy God in his own nakedness, which since the fall in Genesis 3 has been a sign of shame and guilt. A covering is required. And not just any covering will do. It must be a covering provided by God, made of the fabric of righteousness. The linen is again described as fine twisted linen, emphasizing the strength and integrity of this God-ordained righteousness.

29 and the sash of fine twisted linen, and blue and purple and scarlet material, the work of the weaver, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

After the pure white of the foundational garments, we see the introduction of color in the sash. The sash was a belt, used to gird up the tunic, preparing the priest for active service. It was made of the same fine linen, but interwoven with threads of blue and purple and scarlet. These are the colors of the tabernacle curtains and veil, the colors of heaven, royalty, and blood sacrifice. Blue speaks of the heavenly origin of this worship. Purple was the color of kings, reminding us that these priests served the great King. Scarlet points to the blood, the atonement that makes this service possible. So here, in the sash that prepares the priest for work, we see his foundational righteousness (the linen) adorned with the realities of heaven, kingship, and sacrifice. Righteousness is not static; it is active, and it is defined by these glorious truths. This beautiful sash was not an afterthought; it was the work of the weaver, skillfully and deliberately made just as Yahweh had commanded Moses. Every detail mattered because every detail was pregnant with meaning, pointing to the greater Priest to come, whose righteousness is the foundation, and whose heavenly royalty and atoning blood are the glory of His service.

Application

It is easy for us to read a passage like this and relegate it to the museum of ancient religious history. We don't wear linen tunics and colorful sashes. But the theological principles woven into these garments are timeless and directly applicable to every Christian. First, we are reminded that we cannot approach God on our own terms. We need a covering. Our own righteousness, as Isaiah tells us, is as filthy rags. We cannot weave a garment of our own goodness that would be acceptable in His sight. We must be clothed in a righteousness that comes from outside of us.

This is precisely what the gospel provides. The fine white linen of the priests was a type and shadow of the perfect, imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. When we by faith are united to Christ, God no longer sees our sin, but rather the perfect obedience and purity of His Son. He clothes us in Christ (Gal. 3:27). This is our turban, our tunic, our undergarments. This is the only basis upon which we can stand before God and serve Him. Our service, then, is the sash. It is our foundational righteousness in Christ, girded for action and adorned with the heavenly realities (blue), our royal identity as sons of the King (purple), and the constant memory of the blood that bought us (scarlet). We are to live lives of active obedience, not to earn our linen tunic, but because we have already been given it as a free gift. The constant refrain, "as Yahweh had commanded," should be the driving principle of our lives as well. Not in the particulars of the ceremonial law, which Christ has fulfilled, but in the moral law of God, which is the pattern of a life lived in grateful response to His saving grace.