God instructed Moses to have sacred garments made for Aaron to give him dignity and honor, and also sacred garments made for Aaron's sons as well. God wanted them to serve Him as priests. God gave all the skilled men wisdom to know what and how to do this work. I like reading these instructions, I guess because I really like to sew clothing. I must admit that the patterns I have used are vastly different. I have had many creative ideas and sometimes I feel inspired because I can't figure out where the ideas would have come from. I marvel to imagine that the skilled craftsmen and artists had the knowledge impressed into their minds by God so that what they were to do made perfect sense to them. I must also admit that I tend to get lost in the details. Fortunately, I have found some helpful pictures on the web when I typed in Ephod, and Aaron's sacred garments. Some of the gemstones described are unfamiliar to me. Also, reading all these details it's clear why God had told the children of Israel to ask the Egyptians for gold and silver and precious things as they left Egypt. God had plans for those materials!
The garments made according to God's command were to become part of the consecration of the priests. Since a blood sacrifice was necessary, a bull and two rams without defect were needed. Also cakes made of fine wheat flour without yeast, mixed with oil were needed as well. Detailed instructions were given about dressing the priests in these special garments. The animals were to be slaughtered in a very specific way and burned on the altar. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and on their clothes, also, they were to put blood on their right ear lobes, right thumbs and right big toes. After this Aaron and his sons and their garments would be consecrated.
God explained about peace offerings, sin offerings, and something called wave offerings. He also said the sacred garments would be handed down from one generation to the next. The consecration was to continue for seven days, then the altar would be most holy and whatever touched it would be holy too. This all was required so that God could dwell among the Israelites.
Next read Exodus ch 30-32
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