Justin Houtz

Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

DateVersionReading Plan
January 31, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Exodus 28-29

Observation & Interpretation

Exod. 28:2 – The garments to be made for Aaron and his sons were for glory and for beauty (see also Exod. 28:40).

  • The phrase for glory and beauty indicates that the priestly garments were much more than utilitarian. They resembled other elements of the tabernacle complex, which featured fine fabrics, colorful designs, precious metals, and specialized workmanship, as appropriate for honoring the Lord, who would reside there. (CSB Notes)

Exod. 28:29-30 – Aaron was to bear the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart when he went into the Holy Place to bring them to remembrance before the LORD. Aaron was thus to bear the judgment of the people of Israel.

  • The high priest represented the Israelites, as symbolize by the double display of the names of each tribe on the two stones on the ephod (v. 11) and also by the name on each of the twelve stones on his breastpiece. Since the Lord’s “remembering” entailed acting (2:24-25; 3:7-10), to “remind” him is an expression of dependence, faith and prayer. (CSB Notes)

Exod. 28:35 – The bells on Aaron’s robe were to be heard when he went into the Holy Place and when he came out so that he did not die. The bells were to audibly indicate his going in and coming out.

  • Since only the high priest could go into the most holy place to stand before the ark of the covenant (though only once a year; Lev 16:16-17), the sound of the bells (or lack thereof) would alert Yahweh to his approach and departure. The sound would also allow those outside to know if the priest was alive. (FSB)

Exod. 29:14 – The sin offering—the burning of the flesh, skin and dung of the bull—was to be burned with fire outside the camp.

  • The specification that these parts of the bull be burned outside the camp is related to its function as a purification offering…Since the offering represented purged sin, it was fitting to purge it away from the people and deity. (FSB)

Acts 7

Observation & Interpretation

Acts 7:51-53 – Following the recounting of the Israelite history from the days of Abraham, Stephen confronted the people, calling them stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears and that they had betrayed and murdered the Righteous One (Jesus).

  • The Jewish leaders had charged Stephen with speaking against the law. Now he answers the accusation with a brief, finely worded denunciation…Nothing more needed to be said! Indeed, nothing more could be said! They had sought to put Stephen on the defensive. But he became the prosecutor and they the guilty defendants. His message was one of God’s final words to the Jewish nation before the gospel started moving out to the Gentiles. (BBC)

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