Priestly Garments

 

 

Our Bible Study Lesson continued with the High Priest and his garments.  These were not costumes, but were symbolic of being set apart for God’s work of atoning for sin and were made for glory and beauty.  As teacher, Linda presented the lesson  I took notes and give an edited view. 

Compliance with the “dress code” was required. This is noted in Exodus 28:43: “Aaron and his sons must wear [the garments] whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.”

Decorative gold bells and woven pomegranates were attached to the hem of his garment, so that “the sound of the bells will be heard when he entered the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” Exodus 28:35.

The Ephod was a garment of fine linen of Blue, Purple, and Scarlet with gold intricately woven in by fine threads. There were shoulder pieces and rings with blue ribbons that held the breastplate over his heart.  Twelve precious stones were enclosed in gold with the names of the 12 tribes engraved on the gems.  These jewels were set into the breastplate which was called the breast-piece of decision, because the Urim and Thummin were used to determine God’s will at various times. 

Over the heart of believers, God has placed His Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide.

In the New Covenant, Jesus is our High Priest.  He did not make himself to be the High Priest, but God gave Him this position with authority.

In the Old Covenant, the High Priest was to slay a pure lamb and catch it’s blood in a bowl.  The blood was then carried into the Holy Place and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of the people.

After His resurrection, Jesus being our High Priest appeared before the Father and presented his own blood for the forgiveness of sins of the world.  Although we are forgiven, we must acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus and receive Him into our life.

When we have made this decision, we are secure and accepted in Christ.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 7:11-15 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

And it is yet far more evident: that after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises another priest; For God testifies, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw near unto God.  And since it was not without an oath he was made priest:

The Lord swore and will not change, you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek:) 

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better covenant.