Exodus 28:40-43
“And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:40)
The priests could only come from Aaron‘s sons. No other family or tribe would be accepted as priests. Each priest was to have a coat similar to the white on white coat Aaron received. A belt was made to hold the coat closed, and a cap was to be on their heads. Like the high priest’s garments, these were to emphasize the authority and beauty of God. They would have much the same impact on people as a doctor’s lab coat does today.
“And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:41)
Before a doctor or nurse is allowed to participate in a surgical operation, they have to put on a surgical gown and cap, wash their hands in an approved manner and put on surgical gloves, to minimize the risk of infecting the patient. The priests had to go through a similar process before they could perform their priestly duties. Without it, the sacrifices they offered would be contaminated.
“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.” (Exodus 28:42-43)
Each priest was also to have a set of underwear, or shorts to prevent exposing themselves in a way that would detract from the worship of God. Just as a doctor can be punished or lose his license for not following the required procedure, priests who ignored the requirements would be held accountable, even to the point of death. These verses have frequently been distorted to try to prove it is wrong for a woman to wear trousers. These breeches were not normal outer wear.
While the high priest portrays Christ, the other priests portray all Christians. In fact I Peter 2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” As such, we have a similar responsibility to represent God in a manner that does not detract from his glory. Sadly, many become focused solely on the outward actions and neglect the far more important spiritual aspect, like the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25-26, who were more concerned witht eh appearance than the reality. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” No amount of external scrubbing will clean the heart, and if it is not clean, the person isn‘t.
The analogy goes a lot farther, however. Just as the priests were children of Aaron, we are children of God as Romans 8:16 states. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Just as the priests had to be washed and sanctified the Christian is washed and sanctified according to I Corinthians 6:11. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
The priests were wore a white coat or robe to do their duties. Revelation 7:9-10 describes the Christians wearing white robes. “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” The church or assembly of believers were dressed in the white robes because they had been cleansed according to Revelation 19:8. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
The priests were free to go in and out the gate just as Jesus described Christians in John 10:9. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The same wall of righteousness that kept the rest of the world out protected the priests from the influences of the outside world when they were inside serving God. As priests they also had access to the tabernacle itself. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we have the same right of access. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
A failure to enter the presence of God and enjoy what he offered was the priest’s decision, not God’s. The priests in the Tabernacle are a tremendous illustration of the Christian’s life, just as it was intended to be.
“And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:40)
The priests could only come from Aaron‘s sons. No other family or tribe would be accepted as priests. Each priest was to have a coat similar to the white on white coat Aaron received. A belt was made to hold the coat closed, and a cap was to be on their heads. Like the high priest’s garments, these were to emphasize the authority and beauty of God. They would have much the same impact on people as a doctor’s lab coat does today.
“And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:41)
Before a doctor or nurse is allowed to participate in a surgical operation, they have to put on a surgical gown and cap, wash their hands in an approved manner and put on surgical gloves, to minimize the risk of infecting the patient. The priests had to go through a similar process before they could perform their priestly duties. Without it, the sacrifices they offered would be contaminated.
“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.” (Exodus 28:42-43)
Each priest was also to have a set of underwear, or shorts to prevent exposing themselves in a way that would detract from the worship of God. Just as a doctor can be punished or lose his license for not following the required procedure, priests who ignored the requirements would be held accountable, even to the point of death. These verses have frequently been distorted to try to prove it is wrong for a woman to wear trousers. These breeches were not normal outer wear.
While the high priest portrays Christ, the other priests portray all Christians. In fact I Peter 2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” As such, we have a similar responsibility to represent God in a manner that does not detract from his glory. Sadly, many become focused solely on the outward actions and neglect the far more important spiritual aspect, like the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25-26, who were more concerned witht eh appearance than the reality. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” No amount of external scrubbing will clean the heart, and if it is not clean, the person isn‘t.
The analogy goes a lot farther, however. Just as the priests were children of Aaron, we are children of God as Romans 8:16 states. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Just as the priests had to be washed and sanctified the Christian is washed and sanctified according to I Corinthians 6:11. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
The priests were wore a white coat or robe to do their duties. Revelation 7:9-10 describes the Christians wearing white robes. “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” The church or assembly of believers were dressed in the white robes because they had been cleansed according to Revelation 19:8. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
The priests were free to go in and out the gate just as Jesus described Christians in John 10:9. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The same wall of righteousness that kept the rest of the world out protected the priests from the influences of the outside world when they were inside serving God. As priests they also had access to the tabernacle itself. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we have the same right of access. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
A failure to enter the presence of God and enjoy what he offered was the priest’s decision, not God’s. The priests in the Tabernacle are a tremendous illustration of the Christian’s life, just as it was intended to be.
Hebrews 4:16 is a precious promise -- so awesome that we can boldly approach Him without need of a priest or mediator! How sad that many fail to avail themselves of that privilege and blessing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful and thought-provoking post.
God's blessings to you,
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that so many ask a preacher or others top pray for them, not understanding they have the same right while others use prayers written by someone else because they think their own will not be good enough. It just reveals how much they have not been taught.