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The Glory and Beauty of God's Son

A study on the garments of the High Priest and what they speak concerning Christ.

Hebrews 4:14 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Exodus 28:2 — And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

1. The Beginner and Completer of our Faith

  • The appearance of the High Priest was a thousand sermons and perhaps a thousand parts of one sermon -- JESUS.
  • Where is your faith? Growing Our Faith? Developing Our FAith? Strengthening our Faith? Maturing in our Faith?
  • Exodus 25-40 is a Type/Sermon on Christ
  • It is very detailed as God was teaching
  • The Author and Finisher of our Faith -- OUR FAITH MUST BEGIN AND END WITH AND IN CHRIST - The Mark of this race: LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Hebrews 12:2 — Looking unto Jesus the author ['beginner','pioneer','captian'] and finisher [consummator] of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Jesus is the unique source of Christian faith. (not faith in faith, not faith in ourselves, he is the the originator, pioneer, captain and giver of our faith.)

2 Pe 1:1 &mdash Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

  • OBTAINED: to lot, i.e. determine (by implication, receive) especially by lot:--his lot be, cast lots, obtain. ALLOTTED

2. The Glory and Beauty of God's Son

The priest would must put on these garments in order to minister in the tabernacle

  • that he may minister

  • anoint sanctify in priests office consecrate

  • their uniforms distinguished them as the ministers of God

  • Consider the Majesty and Work of Christ. This should influence us in our worship and our work.

Exodus 28:2 — And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

  • glory, honor

2 Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

  • beauty, holiness, purity (beauty of holiness)

1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (2 Chronicles 20:21 ; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:9)

  • MATERIAL: 'LINEN' Ex 28:5 'fine linen' Ex 28:6 (28:39) 'fine twined linen' (Ex 28:8; 15); linen Ex. 28:42
  • COLORS: Ex 28:5 And they shall take gold [divine nature], and blue [heaven], and purple* [royalty], and scarlet [blood], and fine linen [righteousness].
  • He wore this uniform BAREFOOT

Psalm 93:1 — The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength*, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Psalm 104:1 — Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

3. A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY: The Tabernacle and All its Details are a Type of Christ and His Ministry - The Ministry of Christ

  • Why consider these Old Covenant garments?

Hebrews 9:23 — It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

  • upodeigmata, exemplars, earthly things, which were the representatives of heavenly things.
  • In giving Israel shadows and types, God was preparing them for the work of Christ.
  • All these Tabernacle Shadows point to Christ in one measure or another.

Hebrews 8:1-6 — Heb 8:1 ¶ Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve 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 shewed to thee in the mount. 6 ¶ But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

  • true tabernacle: God pitched, not man. (Hebrews 8:1)

  • ministry leitourgia (li-toorg-ee'-ah) public function (as priest ("liturgy") or almsgiver):--ministration(-try), service. [Luke 1:23 Zacharias 'his ministration'] [2 Co 9:12 "this service" a liberal distribution by the saints] [Hebrews 9:21 "he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry"]

  • more excellent: surpassing, diverse

  • Better Promises

  • He is our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

4. The Many Layers of this Garment

Exodus 28:1-5—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. 2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 3 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. 4 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. 5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

A. Overview of the Priestly Garments

  • Four articles of dress were prescribed for the priests in common: under garment, a coat, a girdle, and a cap
  • Four more for the high-priest: a robe, an ephod, a breastplate, and a plate of gold

common: (all of white) (even the relatively plain uniform of the oriest was as well for glory and besuty - v. 40 compare with v.2 )

  1. coat : tunic, ribe, white linen, no seam ( thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen)
  2. miter: bonnet, close fitting cap, turbun,miter (and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, : turban; a head wrap)
  3. linen breeches - to cover nakedness, under garment (underneath the robe of the Ephod was the linen tunic and breeches.)
  4. girdle, sash, belt,

HIGH PRIEST ONLY

  1. (v. 6-14) Ephod- 1 piece vest or apron, 2 onyx gem stones on shoulders, held on shoulders by 2 stones shoulder pieces, having the embroidered girdle of ephod
  2. (v. 15-30) Breastplate - (of judgment) - 12 stones - not loosed from the ephod - within it the 'urim and thummim' were kept
  3. (v. 31-35) Blue Robe - wrap - seamless skeeveless all of blue, outer garment, pomegranates and bells
  4. (v. 36-39) Golden Plate, crown engraved "Holiness unto the Lord"

B. Depth/Complex of Experience

  • CURIOUS: Embroidery; There is a depth of work that God is intent on developing in every BELIEVER.
  • Is my surrender to Christ deeper than convenience? The expectations of others?
  • How was it all put together?

We can read over and over and still be left questioning, 'what did these garments actually look like?' or 'How was it all put together?' =========> cunning work, spirit if wisdom or skill, inventiveness

Ex 28:3 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.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

5. The Ephod, v. 6-14

Exodus 28:6—And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning (embroidered) work.

  • ephod = high-priest's shoulder-piece, apron

  • It is very difficult to tell what this was, or in what form it was made. It was a garment of some kind peculiar to the priests, and

  • Essential to all the parts of Divine worship, for without it no person attempted to inquire of God.

Ex 28:6 ¶ And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. 7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

  • It was distinguished from the common ephod by being composed of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, fine twisted linen, and cunning work, i.e., superbly ornamented and embroidered.
  • This ephod was fastened on the shoulders with two precious stones, on which the twelve names of the twelve tribes of Israel were engraved, six names on each stone.
  • These two stones, thus engraved, were different from those on the breastplate.
  • it covered the back, breast, and belly, and was open at the sides.
  • A piece of the same kind of stuff with itself united it on the shoulders, where the two stones
  • was probably without sleeves.
  • The High Priest contrasted with the ugly though durable EXTERIOR of the tabernacle
  • The Ephod was of the same colors as the INTERIOR of the tabernacle ====> so the peiole coukd see. !IMPORTANT

Exodus 26:1 — Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

  • The Girdle of the Ephod, v. 8-14

8 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.

  • curious: or, embroidered

6. The Breastplate, v. 15-30

Where the ephod crossed on the breast there was a square ornament called choshen, the breastplate, in which twelve precious stones were set, each bearing one of the names of the twelve sons of Jacob engraven on it.

  • the breastplate (which stones each represented a tribe of Israel) was fastened to the ephod**
  • Upon the Shoulders 2 stones (6 on each) and upon the breastplate in 12 stones were engraved the names of the 12 tribes.
  • intercessor mediator - representing us b4 God ... for us .. shoukders and breast

Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

  • He has gone in unto the Father for YOU

John 7:33 — Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

A Pocket was created in the folding of the Breastplate in which were placed: urim and thummin

  • =====> guilty innocent ... lights perfections
  • v. 15 "breastplate of judgment"

7. The Robe of the Ephod / Blue Robe, v. 31-35

this meil, or robe, was one long straight piece of blue cloth, with a hole or opening in the centre for the head to pass through; which hole or opening was bound about, that it might not be rent in putting it on or taking it off

  • 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 28:31-39—31 ¶ And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 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. 33 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: 34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. 35 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.

  • Woven Work, Seamless

John 19:23 — Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

  • In its design included the priority that it NOT RENT/ NOT TEAR.
  • This was the first over piece or outer garment.
  • And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod (A sleeveless garment)

2. You can not Improve on What God Does

  • all of blue.
  • Will Heaven be worth the journey?
  • A Singular Color (unlike the ephod itself which was a beautiful pathwork of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen)
  • No Greater Love, No Greater Gift

3. The Sound of the Bells and Pomegranates

God is Purposeful, There is no Beauty Without a Function and not Function or work of God that is not Beautiful

33 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: 34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. 35 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.

  • His sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place

  • Ex 25:1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying ... (is how this begins)

  • Dressed for His Presence

  • The Sound of the Bells and the Pomegranates: "his sound shall be heard when he goeth into and when he cometh out of the Holy Place,

  • 1. THE SOUND WAS FOR GOD (He was listening) that he die not. (not IF he dies but THAT HE DIES NOT) -- this was a "safety feature" the high priest wouldn’t be able to make the slightest movement without making noise. You’d always know when the priest was coming because of the sound of those bells.

PRAYER: Prayer offered to God, ringing of these bells

Hebrews 4:16 —Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • 2. THE SOUND WAS FOR Aaron himself: in remembrance that he ministered before Jehovah, and should not come into his presence without due reverence.
  • 3. THE SOUND WAS FOR THE PEOPLE The bells would keep the people's attention to the work of the priest that they might all have their hearts engaged in the work; -- "The bells provided sound by which the people could follow the progress of the priest. "

8. The Golden Plate, v. 36-39

Exodus 28:36 — And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 37 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. 38 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. 39 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.

  • In the Forefront, HOLINESSS UNTO THE LORD

36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 37 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.

Conclusion

  • linen (separation) vs wool
  • and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
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