Exodus chapter 28 describes the garments to be worn by Aaron and his sons, “so they may serve me as priests“. The first thing that strikes us is these priests did not earn their way into the priesthood; they were simply born into the family of Aaron. Next we notice there is only one High Priest, his role is unique and each part of his garment has a special meaning. “Make an ephod of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn and of fine linen“. We read there are to be shoulder pieces with two stones, each engraved with the names of the sons of Israel, “Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord“. What a great reminder to the priest of why he works- it is for God’s people. He is also to wear “a breastplate for making decisions“, like the ephod it is to be made of gold, blue purple and scarlet yarn. It is to have twelve stones, “one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel“. “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel on his heart“. The breast plate is also to contain the Urim and Thummim, “Thus Aaron will also bear the means for making decisions for the Israelites over his heart“. We don’t know exactly what they are but Urim and Tummim, means, “lights and perfections“. Many believe they were two stones, one light the other dark and the priest would use them to discern the will of God by asking yes/no questions and pulling out a stone to get God’s answer. As crude as that sounds, many Christians today simply rely on FEELINGS to determine God’s will! How tragic, we have both God’s Holy Word and His Holy Spirit to lead us. Rest assured, if your “feelings” don’t line up with His written Word, it is NOT God’s leading.
We are also given several other interesting descriptions of the priestly garments. The robe is to be made of blue cloth with a collar so it will not tear. The hem of the robe is to have gold bells- “the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place of the Lord“, presumably to know as long as they hear him he is alive! He is also to wear a gold plate on his turban with the engraving, “HOLY TO THE LORD“. “It will be on his forehead and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts of the Israelites.” We also read, “Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron’s sons to give them dignity and honor… anoint and consecrate them so they may serve Me as priests“.
As believers in Jesus Christ we are called, “A royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5) and we are called to serve Him as priests. No longer in the temple made of stone, but “coming to Him as a living stone“. But Jesus is the perfect High Priest, no longer “offering sacrifice for sins of the people and himself” (Hebrews 5:5), because He knew no sin. Jesus offered Himself as the one eternal sacrifice. His shoulders bore only the cross, the only blue, purple and scarlet on His back were from beatings, His headband was a crown of thorns, but his heart bore the name of every sinner that would call on His name for forgiveness. We cannot earn our way into His priesthood, we must simply be born into it by faith. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Amen!