NOTES for Exo 28:1-43
The priesthood becomes a distinct ministry before God. From this moment everything changes in the lives of the people chosen for such a life. They are recognized by the sound of their steps, by their appearance. The priests are set apart as a special portion. It is said of them: "...Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the offerings, which the sons of Israel dedicate, and of all the gifts they bring."
Closeness to God entails heightened responsibility for everything that happens. In a certain sense the priests answer before God for every deficiency, for every insufficiency of faith and love, for greed and stinginess in relations with God. They must make up for every lack with themselves.
The priesthood is defined from the start not as a position of power that promotes prosperity and self-assertion. The priesthood is a voluntary sacrifice of one's life. On the other hand, this sacrifice requires considerable collectedness from those for whose sake it is made, that is, from every believer. Otherwise, sooner or later we begin to take it for granted and shift more and more of our relationship with God onto the shoulders of priests. We hide behind false modesty, declaring ourselves unworthy of the honor of speaking with God directly. And in the end, "people want their priest to dedicate himself entirely to God, something for which they themselves do not have enough time."