LESSON 3 The Priestly Garments

 LESSON 3  

The Priestly Garments

Objective: To understand the glory, majesty, and beauty of Jesus Christ, our high priest, and to learn that the priesthood given to Israel was only for the high priestly office of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Portion: Exo. 28 & 39;

Memory Verse : Hebrew 2:9.

Introduction

To whom can we compare the office of the High Priest? Whose likeness are the ordinary priests? Both the High Priest and the ordinary priests had their own unique garments to identify them. May the study of these garments' uniqueness help us see the beauty and majesty of Jesus Christ and, thereby, a desire to attain the qualities that God wants in our lives.

The High Priestly Garments

The Official Garments of the High Priest can be separated into

seven pieces of clothing:

1. Long coat of fine linen (Tunic) Exodus 39:27-29

2. Blue robe                                             Exodus 28:31-34   

3. Ephod Exodus 28:6-13; 39:2-5

4. Girdle of Ephod Exodus 28:8; Leviticus 8:7

5. Linen girdle Exodus 39:29; Leviticus 8:7

6. Breast plate (Breastplate of Judgement) Exodus 28:14-30; 39:8-21

7. Mitre (Turban) Exodus 28:36-39; Lev. 8:9

We need to examine each of these seven pieces of clothing in detail to better understand the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.

1. Long Coat of fine linen (Tunic) (Exodus 39:27-29)

Of the High Priestly garments, the long coat made of fine white linen is the innermost apparel, which he wears above his white undergarments. The white color depicts holiness. The Lord covers Himself with light as with a garment (Psa. 104:2). There is no darkness (sin) in Jesus Christ (1 John 1:5). Let us behold the glory of the holiness of Jesus Christ and reflect it in our lives. The essence of holiness is to understand and do the will of God. Jesus wholly submitted Himself to God's will (John 5:30; 6:38). Therefore, holiness was His garment (1 Peter 1:15,16).

2. Blue Robe(Exodus 28:31-34)

The robe is woven as a single piece of cloth without stitching and with a hole in the middle, just large enough for the head to pass through. Bells of gold and pomegranates made of blue, purple and scarlet linen are hung alternatively in its hem. The blue color of the robe stands for the heavenly grace of Jesus Christ. Its quality of being woven without stitches shows the unbroken flow of the grace of God. The golden bells and pomegranates hanging on the hem of this robe, covering the body of the High Priest, represent the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit which abound in the church, the body of Christ.

3. Ephod(Exodus 28:6-13; 39:2-5)

This garment was skillfully crafted with gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen. It reached from the shoulder to the knee of the High Priest and had a girdle attached to it. An onyx stone was fixed on each shoulder of the Ephod. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel were engraved on the stones, six on each, in the order of their birth. The High Priest carried the names of the 12 tribes of Israel while standing in the presence of God. This points to the fact that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is carrying us

on His strong shoulders (Isa. 46:3-4).

4. Girdle of Ephod(Exodus 28:8; Leviticus 8:7)

The girdle points to the readiness of Jesus Christ for service. "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Jesus showed His willingness to serve even at the last supper when He washed the feet of

His disciples (John 13:4-5).

5. Linen Girdle(Exodus 39:29; Leviticus 8:7)

This girdle which is a fine needlework using fine twined linen, blue, purple and scarletrepresents truth. Righteousness and truth are foundations of the throne of Christ. We should also have truth as our girdle (Eph. 6:14).

6. Breast plate(Exodus 28:14-30; 39:8-21)

The breastplate is also known as the breastplate of judgment. This was the most precious and beautiful pieces among the garments of the High Priest and was woven like the ephod. It is a rectangle piece measuring two span long and one span wide and after it was folded (making it into a square), it was attached to the ephod, with golden chains in such a way that it could be placed square on the chest of the High Priest. Inside the breastplate were kept the Urim and Thummim which meant 'revelation' and 'truth'. Probably, these were two precious stones used to find out the will of God. Twelve precious stones were mounted in gold settings in four rows, on the breastplate. The names of all the tribes of Israel were engraved on the precious stones (one on each). Everyone of us is a treasure of God (Mal. 3:17). As our High Priest, Christ is bearing us continually in His loving heart, in the presence of God. What comfort and joy fill our hearts as we realise this great

truth!

7. Mitre (Turban) (Exodus 28:36-39; Lev. 8:9)

The mitre (turban) was made of fine linen. Attached to it with a blue cord was a plate made of pure gold with the words "Holy to the Lord" engraved on it. When the High Priest wore the turban, the golden plate would hang in front of his forehead. Thus, the high priest was shown to bear the guilt of all things that the people of Israel were consecrating (Exodus 28:38). The mitre points to the fact that our high priest wore the crown of thorns to sanctify us. He will finally appear as the King of Kings.

The perfection of Jesus Christ is a divine mystery. In Him boldly dwells all the fullness of the Godhead. And we, as His body, also grow to perfection (Col. 2:9, 19). Let His glory and His divine beauty always be our meditations.

The Official Garments of the Ordinary Priests

The blue robe, ephod, girdle ephod, and breastplate are unique to the high priestly attire. Three pieces of clothing were assigned for ordinary priests to wear over their white undergarments (Exodus 28:40).

1. Long Coat: This white linen coat points to holiness. All those who are saved are members of the royal priesthood. And so believers must be holy in the sight of God in all respects (1 Peter 1:15, 16).

2. Girdle: As the girdle distinguishes priests, believers should also be distinguished by the girdle of truth. Nothing against truth should ever be seen in believers (Eph. 6:14)

3. Mitre(Turban): Jesus Christ wore the crown of thorns and became the supreme sacrifice for us to give us the helmet of salvation. Therefore, let us shine as witnesses of our savior, wearing on our heads the mitre of salvation that we received by faith in Him (Eph. 6:17).

Questions:

1. Which are the official garments of ordinary priests and high priests?

2. Describe the importance of each garment of the high priest.

3. What do the golden bells and the pomegranates in the hem of the blue robe represent?