EXODUS 28 DISPLAY OF CHARACTER The Tabernacle was not complete without a priesthood to bring life to the building. God was going to dwell with people but there were representatives of the people who were to draw near to God. The word "priest" means "one who draws near." The first mention of a priest is Melchizedek, "the priest of the most-high God." Abel, Noah, Job, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were acting as priests when they came to bring offerings to God. Amram and Jochabed, the parents of Miriam, Aaron and Moses were of the tribe of Levi. They had a concern for the people of God even when they were slaves in Egypt. It was from this family the priesthood was chosen even before the rebellion in which the tribe of Levi stood against the rest.
Aaron was the first High Priest of Israel. Josephus says in his book there were 83 high priests altogether - all of them have died. Christ our High priest in the heavenly Tabernacle, "ever liveth to make intercession for us." Aaron's garments are a type of the priestly work of our Lord Jesus Christ. There was first placed on Aaron a linen (white) garment next to his person that reached to his feet with sleeves covering his arms. This is what he worn on the "day of atonement" when he represented Israel before God. Aaron represented in this way the purity, spotlessness and holiness of the Lord Jesus. He is holy in His Person, in His Priesthood and in His intercession for us. We are "accepted" in Him. When Aaron went in to the Holiest of All, it was this representation of Christ for us who carried the blood to be sprinkled before the mercy seat for himself and then the second time he entered, the blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat for those he represented.
Over this white linen garment there was worn a robe of blue material made without seams that had opening made for the arms and head to pass through when it was placed on the body of the priest. The purity of the Person of Christ in type seen by the first garment of white was covered by the blue except for the arms. The holiness of Christ is first for God but it is also seen by those who saw the priest going about his acts of service. This blue garment had bells and pomegranates fastened to the hem on the bottom. The heavenly character of Christ's priesthood for us makes us understand the value of the One who came out from God for us. After the cross death of our Lord Jesus Christ, a priesthood was not needed nor were there any further sacrifices that meant anything. They were ended as was "the religion of the Jews." Our Lord is engaged in His priestly work in the True Tabernacle in heaven; "for if He were on earth, He should not be a priest." The type is finished. These two garments were held close to the priest’s body by a girdle of blue, purple and scarlet around the waist. The "testimony" of the bells and the "fruit" typified in the pomegranates filled with seeds holding red juice would remind us of Him who in dying, brought forth "much fruit."
Over the blue garment was the "ephod," an apron-like short garment made of blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen with threads of gold woven through. The threads were made of gold pounded flat and skillfully cut into threads that would glitter in the sunlight when outside the Tabernacle or in the lamp light when inside the Holy Place. This ephod was joined at the shoulders with the straps that kept the front part and back part in place. It also had a girdle so the two parts would be kept from moving around. On the shoulder pieces there were fastened two onyx stones on which the names of the tribes of Israel were engraved - six on one side and six on the other. The name could only be read from above indicating God was watching the walk of His people from day to day. Our walk is before God, not only before men. We are reminded of our constant need of God and His blessing.
On the front of the ephod was a beast-plate made of the same material as the ephod and girdle with twelve different kinds of stones held in place and in a designated order. The order of the engraving on the shoulder stones was by the order of the tribes starting with Reuben and ending with Benjamin. The twelve stones, each representing a tribe on the breast-plate were in the order of their position when they were camped around the Tabernacle and in the order of march when they moved through the wilderness. The shoulder stones would teach us that God carries His people and gives them needed strength in our walk before Him day by day. The twelve separate stones on the breast-plate indicates God's affection - His divine love for each and everyone of His own, from the least to the greatest. His love and affection for us can still be seen and experienced now. Two more articles, the Urim and the Thumin were enclosed in a special place in the breast-plate. When decisions were to be made, these were used to first make wise judgments and then to be sure the decisions made were carried out. Some things only God can see, but the evidence of them can be seen by others who look on.
One more piece of the priestly garments was the head covering called the "miter." It was made of linen and indicated the moral perfections of the Lord that are to be emulated in us as believer-priests. Holiness is not to be only in the actions of life and in character, but in thoughts that indicate who we really are. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." A gold plate was fastened to the miter in front and was "always upon his forehead." When we worship our worship must be consistent with the "mind of Christ." All of those garments indicated the need of "holiness to the Lord" as was engraved on that gold plate. Whether going in before God for us or coming out to bless us, our Lord Jesus' priestly work continues unceasingly.
To watch the priest, go about his work in garments so rich and rare Would make all who watched every move he made conscious and aware That the God who has come out to bless us, knows each and every one. The type of the earthly priest is a picture of our Great High Priest, God's Son.
Much of what makes Him so precious is really hidden from human view. His perfections of character and life are more than any human knew. We do have glimpses of what God sees and what makes His work so great. The blessings that come from Him pleasing the Father, affects each step we make.
His care and representation for His own, is constant and on-going. Work for us that makes our prayers and service acceptable is done without our knowing. He knows what is needed and as our Great High Priest, He makes Continual intercession for us and mediates our case.
God has come out to us when He sent His Son to save us. Now our Lord Jesus s gone into heaven there to represent us. What marvelous blessings He brought when from heaven He came. Now what blessings we have when we make petitions in His name.
On-going without ceasing, the One who before the throne of grace Is there to represent us when we come into His presence by faith. Not with doubt or fear, but with respect and reverence that is holy - We enter in fellowship with our blessed Lord, trusting in Him fully.
"Father in heaven, in a reverential way this morning I want to speak to Thee about the Lord Jesus Christ. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heaven" - this I know. He has pleased Thee in every way and has constant access to the holy throne of God - this I know. He is my Mediator, my Intercessor, my Great High Priest - this I know. He is my Savior, my Lord, my God, my coming King - this I know, I praise and honor Thee for giving these truths in Thy Word. Amen."