Embracing Heaven’s gift of new garments: New Covenant and a fresh start (Exodus 28; Hosea 14; Hebrews 4)

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This study that connects the ancient pattern of the מִשְׁכָּן Mishkan (“dwelling place,” i.e., the Tabernacle), the high priesthood, our identity as God’s people, and how these truths reach into our lives through יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. We’ll visit Exodus and Hosea, reflect on the words of the Apostolic Scriptures, and see what it means to put on the full armor of God every day. My prayer is that these insights become real and alive for you, just as they have for me.

The Mishkan: A blueprint for Heaven on Earth

Some picture the Mishkan as just a relic of history — a tent, some gold, some ornate garments, maybe interesting but separated from day-to-day life. But as we dive deeper, we see the Mishkan isn’t just about “then” — it’s about “now” and about “us”! The Mishkan was set “in the midst of the people” (Exodus 25:8), mirroring the heart of Heaven for God’s presence to truly dwell among humanity. It wasn’t a pattern left behind but an eternal lesson about how Heaven reaches down to dwell with us on earth.

As we read last Shabbat, Romans 12:1 tells us, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (NASB95). This echoes the call for each of us to bring our תְּרוּמָה terumah (“contribution”), just as every Israelite was to contribute to the construction of the Mishkan (Exodus 25:1-9).

The lesson? We all, every single one of us, have a stake in God’s dwelling. The Mishkan is about everyone’s involvement — a prophetic picture that God’s goal has always been to reconcile heaven and earth, Creator and creation, so that every heart can dwell “face to face” with Him, returning us to the intimacy of Eden.

Identity and the crisis of our day

This longing for nearness to God, for knowing where we come from, where we’re headed, isn’t just spiritual gobbledygook. It is the deep yearning of humanity. When our society loses the sense of Creator, the narrative turns into, “You come from nowhere! You’re going nowhere! You are nothing!” No wonder there is an identity crisis!

Our Torah study today holds an antidote to that crisis: the Mishkan proclaims we belong, we have purpose, and we are called into relationship with the God Who created us and wants to dwell within us.

Light for the world: The menorah and its meaning

One detail that keeps speaking to me is the מְנוֹרָה menorah (“lampstand”) and its light, fueled by oil contributed by the people (Exodus 27:20-21). This is no ordinary light: it’s a symbol of spiritual vigilance, of God’s eyes attentively watching over His people (see Zechariah 4:2; Revelation 1:12-13). Placed opposite the שֻׁלְחָן לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים shulchan lechem ha-panim (“table of the Presence”), the menorah reminds us that in God’s house, light and nourishment stand together, a picture that becomes even clearer as Yeshua stands “in the midst of the lampstands” (Revelation 1:12-13), shining upon His congregations (Revelation 2-3).

Our own offerings—our gifts, talents, resources, even our willingness—are part of sustaining God’s light in the world. Every contribution to God’s work sustains His dwelling and reflects His glory, just as the oil kept the menorah burning bright.

Gold, bronze & a place for all

There’s an amazing visual in the Mishkan’s structure: you enter through the courtyard, surrounded by bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת nechoshet), with the altar for sacrifices, symbolizing humanity (אָדָם adam) and blood (דָּם dahm). As you journey inward, you encounter זָהָב טָהוֹר zahav tahor (“pure gold”), transparency, holiness, a prophetic hint at the golden, transparent city described in Revelation 21.

This progression — from bronze to gold — mirrors our own spiritual journey: moving from our earthly struggles toward a pure, transparent communion with God, where nothing is hidden any longer (1Corinthians 13:12).

Clothed with glory: The garments of the priesthood

Next, we come to the clothing of the priesthood (Exodus 28), and this is not just fashion advice from antiquity! Scripture says the priestly garments are for כָּבוֹד kavod (“glory, weight, honor”) and תִּפְאֶרֶת tiferet (“beauty”). Here’s the message: what we wear in service to God matters, but it’s not about external show. Aharon didn’t make his own clothes; others (Moshe/Moses) were commanded to put them on him (Exodus 28:41), signifying that righteousness and adequacy for service are gifts, not personal achievements.

The prophet Zechariah tells of a high priest being “reclothed” after exile with clean garments, a picture of forgiveness, renewal, and a new beginning (Zechariah 3:3-5). The New Covenant (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה Brit Chadashah) reaffirms this — Heaven changes our garments, washing away sin, clothing us in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

“Priestify” — the Hebrew verb here (לְכַהֵן l’chahein) — reminds us that being a כֹּהֵן kohein (“priest”) is about service, not just about status. The true priest (and all Israel is called a “royal priesthood,” 1Peter 2:9) carries the people on his shoulders, bears their burdens on his heart, and is called to humility, not pride. “Get over yourself,” the Torah almost seems to say — your spiritual calling is always for the good of the community.

Urim, Thummim & the ethics of divine judgment

Within the high priest’s breastplate were the mysterious אוּרִים Urim (“lights”) and תֻּמִּים Thummim (“completenesses”), tools for discerning God’s will (Exodus 28:30). While the Torah provides exacting detail for every breastplate gem and chain, it says nothing of how to make the Urim and Thummim. Their origin is, in a sense, heavenly, not human.

The roots of those objects, אור or (“light”) and תָּמִים tamim (“spotless,” “complete”), invite us to make decisions bathed in light and whole integrity — without bias (“You shall not show partiality nor take a bribe,” Deuteronomy 16:19). They urge us not to place our “grimy thumb on the scale” but to judge as heaven does: justly, humbly, and in fellowship with the Spirit of God.

Israel’s top three offices: Prophet, priest & king

The narrative reminds us that Israel’s leadership had three main offices: prophet (נָבִיא navi), priest (כֹּהֵן kohein) and king (מֶלֶךְ melech). These roles weren’t just for ancient figures — they echo in Messiah Himself: communicates the Word of God, mediates and intercedes, and establishes shalom/peace.

Throughout the TaNaKh, we see individuals—Moshe, David, and most perfectly Yeshua — serving in multiple roles. Moses, though never high priest, performed priestly acts (offering the first red heifer, Numbers 19). Messiah is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16), prophet and fulfillment of all the promises, and He is our great high priest “who has passed through the heavens, Yeshua the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14 NASB95).

Holiness that transforms everything

The overarching message of the Mishkan and Mashiakh as Immanuel (God with us) is preparation of the world for “that day” when קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה qodesh l’Adonai (“Holy to the LORD”) isn’t just inscribed on the high priest’s crown but on every pot, cooking utensil, and even the trappings of horses (Zechariah 14:20-21). The transformation promised in Ezekiel 40-48 is of a temple and a Jerusalem where everything — common or holy — has been remade by God’s presence. This is the New Covenant hope: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26 NASB95).

Hosea: Call to repentance and the tenderness of God’s heart

Turning to the Book of הוֹשֵׁעַ Hosea, we hear the desperate call of God to a wayward people, likened to an unfaithful spouse. Repeated alliances with Assyria and Egypt (“Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses…”, Hosea 14:3 NASB95) speak to our tendency to turn everywhere but to heaven for security. Yet, even here, God’s חֶסֶד chesed (“steadfast, loyal love”) shines through: “I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them … For in You the orphan finds mercy” (Hosea 14:3-4 NASB95).

Hosea’s message is that true repentance (שׁוּבָה shuvah, “to return”) brings restoration and identity. It’s a wake-up call for us: Don’t sell your heritage for the “trinkets” of passing prosperity. Stay rooted. God alone makes us a holy nation.

Hebrews: Trusting the High Priest to enter God’s rest

The Book of Hebrews gives this Mishkan theme even deeper Messianic meaning. The “rest” God offers is entered not through our efforts, but by trusting the Messiah’s priesthood — He who has been tempted as we are, yet without sin, who ever lives to draw us near to the “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB95: “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”). The Sabbath “rest” is both a present spiritual reality and a foretaste of the world to come (Hebrews 4:9).

The lesson? Entering God’s promises requires trust (אֱמוּנָה emunah, “faith”). Just as Israel had to trust God to enter the land, so must we trust the Messiah to enter spiritual rest and ultimate redemption.

The armor of God: Dressing for spiritual victory

One of Paul’s most practical teaching points is about putting on the πανοπλία panoplia (“full armor”) of God (Ephesians 6:10-17): “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 NASB95). This armor, as Paul describes it, includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17).

When Paul speaks of these elements, he’s citing Hebrew Scripture: the חֲגוֹר אֱמוּנָה chagor emunah (“belt of faithfulness,” Isaiah 11:5), שִׁרְיוֹן צֶדֶק shiryon tzedek (“breastplate of righteousness,” Isaiah 59:17), and כוֹבַע יֵשׁוּעָה kova yeshuah (“helmet of salvation,” Isaiah 59:17).

The spiritual lesson is vital: Our battle isn’t “against flesh and blood, but against … the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Like the high priest, we “suit up” every day — but our armor is not self-produced. It’s heaven’s gift, to protect not only our outward actions but our thoughts, emotions, and identity.

Transparency, integrity, unity

Finally, Paul reminds us of the importance of transparency and wholeness — echoed by the apostle Ya’akov as becoming “mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). Just as zahav tahor pure gold in the Heavenly Mishkan was “transparent” (Revelation 21:21), our lives are to become more and more open to God, clothed with what heaven provides, not false coverings of self-righteousness. Unity is vital: “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and “let us bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

Putting on new garments

In closing, let’s not approach God’s presence in a “costume” of our own making. Like the guest at the wedding feast, we are invited to put on the garments provided by the King (Matthew 22:11-13). Heaven offers us righteousness, mercy and a new start. Will we put it on?

May we be a people clothed for the kingdom — reflecting the light, justice, humility and steadfast love shown to us in Messiah Yeshua, our Prophet, Priest and King. May every “garment” we wear — truth, faithfulness, righteousness — be a testimony to the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9).

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