Tuesday, 11th August 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
「亞倫進聖所的時候，要將決斷胸牌，就是刻着以色列兒子名字的，帶在胸前，在耶和華面前常作紀念。」——出埃及記28:29
引言
閱讀出埃及記第28章，我們再次看見很多個「要」：神要揀選亞倫和他的兒子作祭司；要為他們製作聖衣；要把以色列十二支派的名字刻在寶石上；要把寶石放在大祭司的肩上和胸前；又要在金牌上刻着「歸耶和華為聖」。
表面上，這一章好像只是在記載祭司服飾的製作方法；但每一個細節背後，都在回答一個重要的問題：聖潔的神住在百姓中間，有罪的人如何能夠親近祂？神渴望住在百姓中間，但人不能按照自己的方法隨意進入祂的聖所。因此，神主動揀選祭司，為他們預備聖衣，讓祭司代表百姓來到祂面前。
祭司進入聖所時，不是只帶着自己。他的肩上擔着十二支派的名字，胸前也帶着十二支派的名字，額上更刻着「歸耶和華為聖」。這讓我們看見，真正親近神，不是靠自己的資格來到祂面前，也不是只關心自己的需要，而是藉着神所預備的道路，把祂所記念的人帶到祂面前，並以分別為聖的生命回應祂。
那麼，出埃及記第28章怎樣教導我們真正親近神呢？
一、接受神所預備的親近之路
經文「你要從以色列人中，使你的哥哥亞倫和他的兒子……一同就近你，給我供祭司的職分。」——出埃及記28:1
神主動揀選亞倫和他的兒子作祭司，又吩咐有智慧的人為他們製作聖衣，使他們「得尊榮，得華美」。亞倫不是因為比別人更完全，才可以成為祭司；也不是他自己決定要進入聖所。祭司的身份出於神的揀選，親近神的道路也由神親自設立。
這讓我們明白，人不能憑自己的方法、善行或功勞來到神面前。我們需要一位神所設立的中保，代表我們來到祂面前。舊約的祭司制度指向耶穌基督。耶穌就是神為我們預備的完全大祭司。祂擔當我們的罪，藉着祂在十字架上所成就的救贖，為我們開了一條通往父神的道路。
「所以，我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。」——希伯來書4:16
我們今天能夠禱告、敬拜和親近神，不是因為我們已經完全，也不是因為我們比別人更好，而是因為耶穌已經為我們成就救恩。真正親近神的第一步，不是努力證明自己配得，而是謙卑接受神在基督裏為我們預備的恩典。不是我們先找到通往神的道路，而是神先為我們預備了親近祂的道路。
二、來到神面前，不要只為自己
經文「亞倫要在兩肩上擔他們的名字，在耶和華面前作為紀念。」——出埃及記28:12
神吩咐人把以色列十二個兒子的名字刻在兩塊紅瑪瑙上，放在大祭司的兩條肩帶上。當亞倫進入聖所時，他的肩上擔着十二支派的名字。這表示他來到神面前，不只是為自己，也是代表整個以色列群體來到神面前。肩膀讓我們看見承擔。
神又吩咐人製作決斷的胸牌，在上面鑲嵌十二塊寶石，每一塊都刻着一個支派的名字。
「亞倫進聖所的時候，要將決斷胸牌，就是刻着以色列兒子名字的，帶在胸前，在耶和華面前常作紀念。」——出埃及記28:29
胸前靠近心的位置，讓我們看見記念與關愛。大祭司的肩上擔着百姓，心中也記念百姓。十二個支派沒有一個被遺忘，每一個名字都被帶到神面前。這讓我們看見天父的心。在神眼中，祂的百姓不是冰冷的數字。每一個人都有名字，每一個人都被祂認識和記念。
我們禱告時，很容易只想到自己的健康、家庭、工作、經濟和困難。我們常常求神幫助自己、供應自己、解決自己的問題。神關心我們的需要，也願意聽我們的禱告；但第28章提醒我們，來到神面前，不要只為自己。
神也把一些人放在我們生命中，可能是我們的家人、教會的弟兄姊妹、正在軟弱的人，或仍未認識主的人。神要我們在禱告中記念他們，把他們的名字帶到祂面前。
有時候，我們會覺得某些人很難承擔；他們的需要使我們疲倦，他們的選擇令我們失望。但神不是要我們單靠自己的力量背負他們，而是要我們藉着禱告，把他們交在神手中。真正的承擔，不是把所有重擔留在自己身上，而是把人的名字帶到神面前。
耶穌就是那位完全的大祭司。祂不只是把我們的名字刻在寶石上，更親自擔當我們的罪，長遠活着為我們代求。既然我們被基督記念，也應當學習基督的心：來到神面前，不再只為自己，也記念神所愛的人。
三、以歸耶和華為聖的生命回應祂
經文「你要用精金做一面牌，在上面按刻圖書之法刻着『歸耶和華為聖』。」——出埃及記28:36
第28章後半部分繼續記載祭司的外袍、冠冕、內袍、腰帶和其他衣服。神對祭司衣服的每一個細節都有清楚的吩咐。這不是因為神只重視外表，而是要百姓明白：祭司進入聖所服事神，不能抱着輕率、隨便的態度。他的身份、生活和事奉，都要分別出來歸給神。
大祭司額上的金牌刻着：「歸耶和華為聖。」
這不只是一件外在的裝飾，更表明祭司整個生命的身份：他是屬於神、被神分別出來服事祂的人。第38節又提到，亞倫要擔當百姓在所獻聖物上的罪孽，使他們所獻的可以在耶和華面前蒙悅納。
這是一個很深的提醒：即使是我們的敬拜、奉獻和服事，也可能帶着人的軟弱、不完全和錯誤的動機。我們不能靠自己的服事使自己蒙神接納，仍然需要大祭司為我們擔當罪孽。
耶穌不但擔當我們生活中的罪，也潔淨我們不完全的敬拜和服事，使我們可以藉着祂在神面前蒙悅納。
因此，「歸耶和華為聖」不是說我們先使自己完全，神才容許我們親近祂；而是因為神已經在基督裏接納我們，我們便以分別為聖的生命回應祂。
不是因為我們聖潔，所以神接納我們；而是因為神在基督裏接納我們，所以我們願意把生命分別為聖歸給祂。
真正親近神，不只是在每天禱告的時候感受到祂，也不只是參加聚會或承擔服事。真正親近神，是願意讓祂管理我們的思想、言語、關係、選擇和整個生活。
我們越親近聖潔的神，便越願意離開不討祂喜悅的事，把生命完全歸給祂。
總結
出埃及記第28章讓我們看見，如何真正親近神：
第一，接受神所預備的親近之路。我們不是靠自己的資格來到神面前，而是藉着耶穌基督這位完全的大祭司親近父神。
第二，來到神面前，不要只為自己。大祭司把十二支派的名字擔在肩上、放在胸前。我們也要在禱告中記念神放在我們生命中的人。
第三，以歸耶和華為聖的生命回應祂。我們不是靠聖潔換取神的接納，而是因為已經在基督裏蒙神接納，所以願意把整個生命歸給祂。
整章的進程非常清楚：神為我們預備親近祂的道路；我們來到祂面前，不再只為自己；最後，我們把蒙恩的生命完全歸給祂。真正親近神，不只是來到神面前尋求自己的需要，而是藉着基督來到父神面前，把祂所愛的人放在心上，並在生命中活出這句話：歸耶和華為聖。
省察
- 我是靠自己的表現親近神，還是相信耶穌已經為我開了道路？
- 我禱告時是否只想到自己的需要？今天有誰的名字，是神要我帶到祂面前的？
- 我的生命中，有哪些地方仍然沒有完全歸給神？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢主動為我們預備親近祢的道路。不是因為我們配得，也不是因為我們已經完全，而是因為耶穌基督擔當了我們的罪，成為我們永遠的大祭司，使我們可以坦然來到祢面前。
主啊，求祢赦免我們常常只為自己的需要禱告，卻忽略了祢放在我們生命中的人。求祢把祢的心放在我們裏面，讓我們記念家人、教會、軟弱的人和仍未認識祢的人，常常在禱告中把他們帶到祢面前。
求祢潔淨我們的生命和事奉，使我們不以隨便的態度親近祢。既然我們已經在基督裏蒙祢接納，求祢幫助我們把思想、言語、關係、選擇和整個生命分別為聖，完全歸給祢。
願我們不只用口說親近祢，更在每天的生命中活出「歸耶和華為聖」的記號。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Verse “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.” —Exodus 28:29, NKJV
Introduction
As we read Exodus 28, we once again see many instructions from God.
God commanded Moses to set apart Aaron and his sons as priests. He commanded skilled workers to make holy garments for them. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were to be engraved on precious stones. These stones were to be placed on the high priest’s shoulders and over his heart. A gold plate engraved with the words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” was to be placed on his forehead.
At first, this chapter may appear to be only about the clothing of the priests. However, behind every detail, God is answering an important question:
How can sinful people draw near to a holy God?
God desired to live among His people, but they could not enter His holy presence in their own way. Therefore, God chose the priests and prepared holy garments for them. The high priest would represent the people before God.
When the high priest entered the Holy Place, he did not come alone. He carried the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and over his heart. On his forehead were the words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
Exodus 28 teaches us that truly drawing near to God is not about depending on our own worthiness. It is not only about bringing our own needs before Him. We come through the way God has prepared, remembering the people He loves and offering our whole lives to Him.
Transition
What does Exodus 28 teach us about truly drawing near to God?
- Accept the Way God Has Prepared
Scripture
“Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest.”
—Exodus 28:1, NKJV
God chose Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. He also commanded skilled workers to make holy garments for them, “for glory and for beauty.”
Aaron did not become a priest because he was more perfect than everyone else. He did not choose this position for himself. His calling came from God, and the way to approach God was also established by God.
This teaches us that we cannot come to God through our own methods, good works or achievements. We need a mediator appointed by God to represent us before Him.
The Old Testament priesthood points us to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the perfect High Priest whom God has provided for us. He carried our sins and opened the way to the Father through His death on the cross.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:16, NKJV
We can pray, worship and draw near to God today, not because we are perfect or better than others, but because Jesus has completed the work of salvation for us.
The first step in truly drawing near to God is not trying to prove that we are worthy. It is humbly receiving the grace God has provided through Christ.
We did not find our own way to God. God first prepared the way for us to come to Him.
- Do Not Come Before God Only for Yourself
Scripture
“So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial.”
—Exodus 28:12, NKJV
God commanded that the names of the twelve sons of Israel be engraved on two onyx stones. These stones were placed on the shoulder straps of the high priest’s ephod.
When Aaron entered the Holy Place, he carried the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders. He did not come before God only for himself. He represented the whole nation of Israel before God.
The shoulders speak of responsibility and carrying a burden.
God also commanded that a breastplate of judgment be made. Twelve precious stones were placed on it, and each stone was engraved with the name of one tribe.
“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.”
—Exodus 28:29, NKJV
The breastplate was worn close to the high priest’s heart. It reminds us of remembrance, care and love.
The high priest carried the people on his shoulders and kept them over his heart. None of the twelve tribes was forgotten. Every name was brought before God.
This reveals the heart of our heavenly Father. God’s people are not simply numbers to Him. He knows every person by name, remembers them and cares for them.
When we pray, it is easy to think only about our own health, family, work, finances and difficulties. We ask God to help us, provide for us and solve our problems. God cares about our needs and wants us to bring them to Him. However, Exodus 28 reminds us not to come before God only for ourselves.
God has placed people in our lives. They may be members of our family, brothers and sisters in the church, people who are weak or those who do not yet know the Lord. God wants us to remember them in prayer and bring their names before Him.
Sometimes people can feel like a heavy burden. Their needs may make us tired, and their decisions may disappoint us. But God does not ask us to carry everyone by our own strength. He invites us to bring them to Him in prayer.
True responsibility does not mean keeping every burden upon ourselves. It means bringing people’s names before God.
Jesus is the perfect High Priest. He did more than carry our names on precious stones. He carried our sins and continues to intercede for us before the Father.
Because Christ remembers us, we should also learn to have the heart of Christ. When we come before God, we should not pray only for ourselves. We should also remember the people whom God loves.
- Respond with a Life That Is Holy to the Lord
Scripture
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
—Exodus 28:36, NKJV
The second half of Exodus 28 describes the priest’s robe, turban, tunic, sash and other garments. God gave clear instructions concerning every detail.
This was not because God cared only about outward appearance. It taught the people that the priests could not enter God’s presence with a careless attitude. Their identity, daily lives and service were to be set apart for God.
The gold plate on the high priest’s forehead was engraved with the words:
“HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
This was not merely an outward decoration. It revealed the identity of the priest. He belonged to God and had been set apart to serve Him.
Verse 38 also tells us that Aaron would bear the iniquity of the holy things offered by the people, so their offerings could be accepted before the LORD.
This gives us a serious reminder. Even our worship, offerings and service may be mixed with human weakness, wrong motives and imperfection. We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God through our service. We still need a high priest to bear our sin.
Jesus not only carried the sins of our daily lives. He also cleanses our imperfect worship and service, making us acceptable to God through Him.
Therefore, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” does not mean that we must first make ourselves perfect before God allows us to come near. It means that because God has already accepted us through Christ, we respond by setting our lives apart for Him.
God does not accept us because we are already holy. Because God has accepted us in Christ, we desire to live holy lives for Him.
Truly drawing near to God is more than spending time in prayer, attending church or serving in ministry. It means allowing God to lead our thoughts, words, relationships, choices and every part of our daily lives.
The closer we come to our holy God, the more willing we become to leave behind what does not please Him and offer our whole lives to Him.
Conclusion
Exodus 28 teaches us how we can truly draw near to God.
First, accept the way God has prepared.
We do not come to God through our own worthiness. We come through Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest.
Second, do not come before God only for yourself.
The high priest carried the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and over his heart. We should also remember in prayer the people whom God has placed in our lives.
Third, respond with a life that is holy to the Lord.
We do not earn God’s acceptance through holy living. Because we have already been accepted in Christ, we willingly offer our whole lives to Him.
The message of the chapter follows a clear progression:
God prepares the way for us to draw near to Him. We no longer come before Him only for ourselves. Finally, we offer our redeemed lives completely to Him.
Truly drawing near to God is not only about bringing our personal needs before Him. It is coming to the Father through Christ, carrying in our hearts the people He loves and living each day with these words written upon our lives:
HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Reflection
- Am I depending on my own performance to approach God, or do I trust that Jesus has already opened the way for me?
- Do I pray only for my own needs? Whose name does God want me to bring before Him today?
- Is there any part of my life that I have not fully surrendered to God?
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for preparing the way for us to come near to You. We do not come because we are worthy or perfect. We come because Jesus Christ carried our sins and became our eternal High Priest.
Lord, forgive us for praying only for our own needs while forgetting the people You have placed in our lives. Give us Your heart. Help us to remember our family, the church, those who are weak and those who do not yet know You. Teach us to bring their names before You in prayer.
Please cleanse our lives and our service. Keep us from approaching You with a careless attitude. Since we have already been accepted in Christ, help us to set apart our thoughts, words, relationships, choices and whole lives for You.
May we not only speak about drawing near to You. May our daily lives carry the mark:
“HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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