Exodus 28:1-39
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.” (Exodus 28:1)
God specifically ordained Aaron and his family to be the priests, with Aaron as the high priest. The term ordain simply means to select or choose. The importance of the High priest’s job is described in Hebrews 5:1-4. “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
The high priest was in much the same position as a trainer in a large company. He has to be skilled in doing the job himself so he can teach others how. To be effective, he needs to be able to work with the beginner’s mistakes without getting frustrated, showing them repeatedly what is needed. At the same time he needs to be fully cognizant of company policies, as the company’s representative at that point. He serves as the trainee’s contact with management. It is too important a job to leave open for whoever wants it.
There was only one high priest at any time, and God chose Christ to be the high priest forever according to Hebrews 5:5-6. “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” No one else can ever receive that authority, although many claim it.
The High Priest’s Garments
“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:2-3)
They were to make sacred or sanctified garments for Aaron to emphasize his position and to be beautiful as the representative of God. They were to consecrate or pronounce him to be clean before God, to qualify him to do the priest’s job. God had already given specific people the skills and understanding that would be needed to make them. All Moses needed to do was describe what was to be made. The garments again portray various aspects of what Christ does and has done for us. The design was important to properly represent those things.
“And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:4)
While there were to be holy garments for all the priests, the high priest’s were much different than the other priest’s.
The Ephod
Exodus 28:5-14
“And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.” (Exodus 28:5-6)
The selection of materials for the ephod again portray Christ as God with the gold, as righteous with the white linen, as royal with the purple, as of heavenly origin with the blue and as the sacrifice for sin with the scarlet. The fabric design seems to have been quite intricate.
“It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.” (Exodus 28:7-8)
The ephod was to be a sort of tunic, fastened together at the shoulders and held around the waist by a fabric belt with the same design.
“And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.” (Exodus 28:9-12)
Two onyx stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel to be set in gold brooches or similar settings. These would be placed where the shoulders were joined as a memorial to the children of Israel identifying the wearer as representing all the tribes of Israel. It portrays Christ as representing the whole world.
“And thou shalt make ouches of gold; And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.” (Exodus 28:13-14)
Gold chains were to be attached to the brooches to support the breastplate. These chains were to have a floral motif, resembling a wreath.
The Breastplate
Exodus 28:15-27
“And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.” (Exodus 28:15-16)
The foundation for the breastplate was to be a piece of cloth with the same design as that used for the ephod that when folded in half would provide a square about eight or nine inches on each side.
“And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their enclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.” (Exodus 28:17-21)
Twelve gold settings for stones were to be made, and attached to the breastplate in four rows. Each setting was to hold a precious or semi precious jewel stone engraved with the name of a single tribe of Israel.
“And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate. And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod before it.” (Exodus 28:22-25)
Two rings of gold were to be fastened to the corners of the breastplate so they held it in the folded position. They were to be fastened to the ends of the chains attached to the two brooches on the ephod. The Hebrew way of explaining things causes a bit of duplication that seems a little confusing at first.
“And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward. And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.” (Exodus 28:26-28)
Two gold rings were to be attached to the back piece of the breastplate at the ends. Additional rings were to be attached to the ephod above the belt and a blue cord or lace was to be provided to tie the rings together and prevent the breastplate from flopping around.
“And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:29)
While the onyx shoulder brooches portrayed Christ as representing all mankind collectively, the settings on the breastplate portray him as representing them as individuals. I John 2:2 describes him as doing both. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:30)
Folded like it was, the breastplate formed a pocket or pouch. It was the breastplate of judgment and the Urim and Thummim were to be placed in it. We know that Urim means lights and Thummim means perfections. They represented the standard of judgment God expects and Christ fulfilled for us. While we are not sure what the Urim and Thummim were, they are believed to have been some kind of natural crystals.
The Robe
Exodus 28:31-35
“And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.” (Exodus 28:31-32)
The robe was a full length blue slip on robe. The edges of the neck hole were to be bound with a ribbon or tape bias tape to prevent unraveling, some what like the neck opening on tee shirt.
“And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.” (Exodus 28:33-35)
Around the hem of the high priest’s robe there were small balls of red blue and purple material alternated with little golden bells, probably similar to harness bells. Without his robe when he went into the Holy of Holies, the high priest would be killed. Jesus Described the need for the spiritual robe of righteousness in Matthew 22:11-14. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Outer Garments
Exodus 28:36-39
“And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.” (Exodus 28:36-38)
A golden plate inscribed with the words, “Holiness to the Lord” was to be made and attached to the priest’s turban with a blue cord or lace. Without it, the offerings the priest made would be unacceptable. Responsibility for unforgiven sin would fall on the priest if he was not properly prepared.
“And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.” (Exodus 28:39)
An over coat embroidered with white on white designs and the turban were to be made for the high priest.
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.” (Exodus 28:1)
God specifically ordained Aaron and his family to be the priests, with Aaron as the high priest. The term ordain simply means to select or choose. The importance of the High priest’s job is described in Hebrews 5:1-4. “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”
The high priest was in much the same position as a trainer in a large company. He has to be skilled in doing the job himself so he can teach others how. To be effective, he needs to be able to work with the beginner’s mistakes without getting frustrated, showing them repeatedly what is needed. At the same time he needs to be fully cognizant of company policies, as the company’s representative at that point. He serves as the trainee’s contact with management. It is too important a job to leave open for whoever wants it.
There was only one high priest at any time, and God chose Christ to be the high priest forever according to Hebrews 5:5-6. “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” No one else can ever receive that authority, although many claim it.
The High Priest’s Garments
“And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:2-3)
They were to make sacred or sanctified garments for Aaron to emphasize his position and to be beautiful as the representative of God. They were to consecrate or pronounce him to be clean before God, to qualify him to do the priest’s job. God had already given specific people the skills and understanding that would be needed to make them. All Moses needed to do was describe what was to be made. The garments again portray various aspects of what Christ does and has done for us. The design was important to properly represent those things.
“And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.” (Exodus 28:4)
While there were to be holy garments for all the priests, the high priest’s were much different than the other priest’s.
The Ephod
Exodus 28:5-14
“And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.” (Exodus 28:5-6)
The selection of materials for the ephod again portray Christ as God with the gold, as righteous with the white linen, as royal with the purple, as of heavenly origin with the blue and as the sacrifice for sin with the scarlet. The fabric design seems to have been quite intricate.
“It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.” (Exodus 28:7-8)
The ephod was to be a sort of tunic, fastened together at the shoulders and held around the waist by a fabric belt with the same design.
“And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.” (Exodus 28:9-12)
Two onyx stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel to be set in gold brooches or similar settings. These would be placed where the shoulders were joined as a memorial to the children of Israel identifying the wearer as representing all the tribes of Israel. It portrays Christ as representing the whole world.
“And thou shalt make ouches of gold; And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.” (Exodus 28:13-14)
Gold chains were to be attached to the brooches to support the breastplate. These chains were to have a floral motif, resembling a wreath.
The Breastplate
Exodus 28:15-27
“And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.” (Exodus 28:15-16)
The foundation for the breastplate was to be a piece of cloth with the same design as that used for the ephod that when folded in half would provide a square about eight or nine inches on each side.
“And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their enclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.” (Exodus 28:17-21)
Twelve gold settings for stones were to be made, and attached to the breastplate in four rows. Each setting was to hold a precious or semi precious jewel stone engraved with the name of a single tribe of Israel.
“And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate. And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod before it.” (Exodus 28:22-25)
Two rings of gold were to be fastened to the corners of the breastplate so they held it in the folded position. They were to be fastened to the ends of the chains attached to the two brooches on the ephod. The Hebrew way of explaining things causes a bit of duplication that seems a little confusing at first.
“And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward. And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.” (Exodus 28:26-28)
Two gold rings were to be attached to the back piece of the breastplate at the ends. Additional rings were to be attached to the ephod above the belt and a blue cord or lace was to be provided to tie the rings together and prevent the breastplate from flopping around.
“And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:29)
While the onyx shoulder brooches portrayed Christ as representing all mankind collectively, the settings on the breastplate portray him as representing them as individuals. I John 2:2 describes him as doing both. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:30)
Folded like it was, the breastplate formed a pocket or pouch. It was the breastplate of judgment and the Urim and Thummim were to be placed in it. We know that Urim means lights and Thummim means perfections. They represented the standard of judgment God expects and Christ fulfilled for us. While we are not sure what the Urim and Thummim were, they are believed to have been some kind of natural crystals.
The Robe
Exodus 28:31-35
“And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.” (Exodus 28:31-32)
The robe was a full length blue slip on robe. The edges of the neck hole were to be bound with a ribbon or tape bias tape to prevent unraveling, some what like the neck opening on tee shirt.
“And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.” (Exodus 28:33-35)
Around the hem of the high priest’s robe there were small balls of red blue and purple material alternated with little golden bells, probably similar to harness bells. Without his robe when he went into the Holy of Holies, the high priest would be killed. Jesus Described the need for the spiritual robe of righteousness in Matthew 22:11-14. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Outer Garments
Exodus 28:36-39
“And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.” (Exodus 28:36-38)
A golden plate inscribed with the words, “Holiness to the Lord” was to be made and attached to the priest’s turban with a blue cord or lace. Without it, the offerings the priest made would be unacceptable. Responsibility for unforgiven sin would fall on the priest if he was not properly prepared.
“And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.” (Exodus 28:39)
An over coat embroidered with white on white designs and the turban were to be made for the high priest.
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