Exodus 28; Exodus 36-39
The Tabernacle and its vessels, the Priesthood, and the various ministrations connected therewith, form but one subject; although divided for the sake of more distinctly contemplating each portion.
The tabernacle would have been useless without its vessels: and the tabernacle with its vessels, would have been of no service, but for a living family of priests, constantly engaged in various active ministrations within the holy places, and about the various holy vessels.
So closely connected is each part of this subject with the other, that in the directions contained in Exodus, there is no break; but the command for making the holy garments, and consecrating the priesthood, (Ex. 28 and 39.) comes between the enumeration of some of the holy vessels, and the various parts of the tabernacle. Indeed properly speaking, the 27th chapter should end at verse 19, where " thou shalt command the children of Israel " begins a new subject, viz: directions concerning the oil for the light of the sanctuary. The 28th chapter follows on with the words " and take thou unto thee, etc." and the 29th chapter continues with ordering the sacrifices, etc. for the day of priestly consecration. The 30th again carries on the subject connected with the priesthood, by giving the description of the incense-altar: and the whole closes with the sabbath, at the end of the 31 Chapter.
Again; when all the various parts of the work had been completed, ending with the garments of the priesthood, (chapters 36.-39. verse 31,) the following verse is added: " Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished; and the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they." Here, therefore, the priestly garments were considered part of the work of the tabernacle. And if we turn to Heb. 8 we find that " the priests, that offered gifts according to the law, served unto the example and shadow of heavenly things; as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." v. 4, 5.