Unpacking Exodus 28:1: Called to Be Holy

Setting Apart the Priests for Holy Service

This verse marks the beginning of Israel’s official priesthood, a key part of God’s plan to live among His people after bringing them out of Egypt.

At Mount Sinai, following the giving of the Ten Commandments, God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle - a portable sanctuary - where He could dwell among the Israelites. In Exodus 19:6 God said Israel should be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, reflecting His holiness. Today Aaron and his sons are specifically chosen to serve as priests for the people. This doesn’t replace God’s bigger vision but puts a practical structure in place for worship, sacrifice, and approaching God in holiness.

Aaron, Moses’ brother, becomes the first high priest, with his sons - Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar - joining him in service, forming the core of Israel’s priestly line for generations to come.

The Meaning of 'Bring Near' and the Role of a Hereditary Priesthood

The call to 'bring near' Aaron and his sons concerns sacred access, not merely location. It is rooted in a Hebrew word that reveals the heart of priestly service.

The Hebrew verb הַקְרֵב (haqrev) means 'to bring near' or 'to approach,' and it’s often used in the context of offering sacrifices to God. Here in Exodus 28:1, it carries the weight of being invited close to God’s presence - something dangerous and holy, not to be taken lightly. In Numbers 3:10, God warns that any outsider who tries to serve as a priest must be put to death, showing how seriously He takes this appointed role: 'But the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.' This wasn’t about exclusion for its own sake, but about protecting the holiness of God’s dwelling place.

In the ancient world, many nations had priests, but they were often tied to royal power or chosen for political reasons. Israel’s system was different - still hereditary, yes, but rooted in divine calling and strict rules to maintain reverence and order. The priests weren’t better people by nature, but they were set apart to do a job the whole nation couldn’t do: stand between a holy God and a sinful people. This role pointed forward to Jesus, the ultimate priest who would truly make us 'near' to God - not by bloodline, but by sacrifice.

The real-world reason for this law was to create a clear, orderly way for Israel to approach God without profaning His holiness. It taught that closeness to God requires both invitation and preparation.

This idea of being 'brought near' becomes a promise for all God’s people in the New Testament, where believers are said to have confidence to 'draw near' to God through Jesus - fulfilling what the old priesthood only symbolized.

God Still Chooses People for Holy Work - Now Through Jesus

God chose Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, and He now calls all who follow Jesus to join a spiritual priesthood through grace, not bloodline.

Jesus fulfilled the role of the perfect high priest - he did more than represent the people; he made a way for everyone to draw near to God through His sacrifice. As Hebrews 4:14 says: 'Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.'

Now, believers are told in 1 Peter 2:9, 'You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,' showing that what was once limited to Aaron’s family is now God’s invitation to all who trust in Christ.

From Aaron to Jesus: The Priesthood That Lasts

The priestly line that began with Aaron continued for generations, eventually leading to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, who served in the temple as a priest 'according to the custom of the priesthood' (Luke 1:5-9).

Luke 1:5-9 tells us that Zechariah was carrying out his duties in the temple when an angel appeared, announcing the coming of a forerunner to the Messiah - showing how God was still working through the old system, but preparing to fulfill it in a greater way. That fulfillment came in Jesus, the ultimate high priest described in Hebrews 4:14-15: 'Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. We do not have a high priest who cannot empathize with our weaknesses; we have one who was tempted in every way, like us, yet he did not sin.'

The heart of the priesthood was never about lineage alone, but about drawing near to God - and now, through Jesus, that nearness is open to everyone who believes.

Application