ÒClothes
of ServiceÓ — Exodus 39:1-43
As
the tabernacle was concluded, Moses was inspired of God to give us a
description of Òthe holy garmentsÓ
that were made for Aaron, those garments Aaron was required to wear whenever
he went into the tabernacle doing service before the Lord God as IsraelÕs
high priest. They are called Òclothes of service.Ó
These
Òclothes of serviceÓ were very
significant and highly symbolical. They are listed three times by Moses
(Exodus 28, Exodus 39 and Leviticus 8). Aaron was not allowed to appear
before the Lord God as IsraelÕs priest to do service in the holy place
without these Òholy garments,Ó
without these Òclothes of service.Ó
They were vital to his priestly work; and we are specifically told that they
were Ògarments of consecration,Ó
Òfor glory and for beauty.Ó
These
garments were made specifically for Aaron, to show
forth the glory and beauty of his work as IsraelÕs high priest. But they show
more than that. These garments were made for and put upon Aaron to show forth
the glory and beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, of whom
Aaron was but a type and picture.
Atonement Garments
Actually,
Aaron had two sets of priestly garments: This glorious apparel, which he wore
before Israel and before the Lord in his common, daily functions in the
tabernacle, and those holy linen garments mentioned in Exodus 39:28, and more
fully described in Leviticus 16:4, which he wore only once a year on the day
of atonement. On that great day of atonement, when he went in with the blood
of the paschal lamb before the Lord God in the holy of holies, Aaron was
robed only in spotless white, portraying the infinitely meritorious obedience
and personal righteousness and holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which he
was worthy and able to undertake and accomplish the stupendous work of
putting away the sins of his people by the sacrifice of himself.
Service Garments
The garments
described in Exodus 39 were specifically ordained of God to show AaronÕs
glory and beauty to the people he represented and served as a priest. These
garments are described in great detail for us, so that we might see and be
assured of the glory and beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ, as our great High
Priest. Aaron wore seven specific, highly symbolic garments.
1.
An Ephod - The
priestly apron, with the Urim and Thummim, representing the light and
perfection of Christ.
2.
A Girdle - ÒRighteousness
shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reinsÓ (Isaiah 11:5).
3.
A Breastplate –
The breastplate on AaronÕs heart, bearing the names of GodÕs elect, was
secured to his apron by GodÕs order.
4.
A Robe - The
priestly robe representing ChristÕs righteousness.
5.
A Coat – The
coat was actually an undergarment, for the covering of the priestsÕ
nakedness, representing Christ who covers all our sin by his blood and
righteousness.
6.
A Miter – The
miter symbolized both honor and humility.
7.
A Holy Crown —
The crown, emblazoned with ÒHoliness
to the Lord,Ó speaks of the acceptance of all our works as GodÕs
priests in this world, through the blood and righteousness of our blessed
Savior (Ecclesiastes 9:7-8).
Don Fortner
Listen to sermons
at FreeGraceRadio.com
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