The High PriestThe Holy Garments

God’s Command

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyAa6nh-hN0

Overview

Overview

Purpose for the different elements found in the High Priest’s garments:

1. Decretive

2. Functional

3. Symbolic

The Pants

The pants reached from the waist to the knees and so were not visible, being entirely hidden by the priestly tunic.

The purpose of the pants was to assure the modesty demanded of the priest when officiating at the altar. It was made of linen, since the priest must not perspire when officiating.

This item, part of the normal dress of every man, it was made of linen and was to be worn under the outer garment. It was a long or half-sleeved shirt-like garb reaching to the ankles.

The Tunic

Tunics were generally made of wool, but the priests’ tunics were of linen. Tunics could be made of two pieces, but the priest’ tunic was woven on a special loom so as to be seamless, like the tunic of Jesus for which soldiers cast lots at his crucifixion

The Sash The Sash is essential to a flowing garment, to assure warmth and maneuverability.

The sash was wound around the tunic between the waist and the shoulders. Josephus says it was four fingers broad, and “so loosely woven that you would think it were the skin of a serpent.”

The sash was tied about the priest's waist. This was also of blue, purple, and scarlet linen intertwined with golden threads. In the language of Scripture for a priest to be girded with his sash was for him to be fully arrayed in his garments and prepared and ready to serve.

The Robe

The first "over" piece to be put on was the robe. This garment, probably sleeveless, was essentially a large blue mantle with a hole for the wearer's head.

A closely woven binding bordered the edge of the head opening to prevent tearing. The skirts of this robe were fringed with alternating woolen pomegranates (i.e., woolen balls shaped like pomegranates) and golden bells.

Pomegranates were used for decorative purposes. The bells provided sound by which the people could follow the progress of the priest.

The EphodWoven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet materials, it was very elaborate and ornate. On top of each of the shoulders the ephod was fastened by two onyx clasps on which were engraved the names of six of the 12 tribes.

The Breastplate

An ornament covering the breast of the high priest. It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes. It was in size about ten inches square.

The two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be “loosed from the ephod.” The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial. It was also called the breastplate of judgment.

The Breastplate

So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. (Ex. 28:29).

Their position or standing before God was neither affected nor altered by their changing circumstances, infirmities or sins. Whenever The High Priest went into the holy place, there on his heart were the names of all God’s people.

Emphasizing this truth of security, note carefully how that their names were not simply written upon the precious stones, but “engraved”

Turban

The head-dress of the high priest represented his subordination to God, his obedience to God’s commands and submission to His will. The fine linen of which it was made, tells of the personal righteousness which must be found in the one who stands in the presence of God on behalf of others.

The Hebrew word is derived from a verb which means “to roll, or wind around.” This may denote that the high priest’s turban was wound around his head, like a tiara.

The Crown

The crown was a continuous reminder of his special role as priest, an engraved golden plate with the words “Holy to the Lord” is attached to his turban.

It would parallel the king’s crown as symbolizing his authority. The crown of office also placed responsibility for infractions on the person in charge of all rituals.

How the high priestly garments point to our High Priest, Jesus.

The High Priest LinensThe spotless linen spoke of the holy humanity of Christ

Then he was robed only in spotless white, foreshadowing the personal righteousness and holiness of the Lord Jesus, which fitted Him to undertake the stupendous work of putting away the sins of His people.

Typically, these undergarments spoke of the personal righteousness of Christ, over which (so to speak) all His other perfections and glories were displayed. It reminds us of that blessed word in 1 John 2:1, “If any one sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

The Sash

The “Sash” speaks of preparedness for service.

Beautifully is this brought out in Luke 12:37: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.”

In the days of His flesh “He took a towel and girded Himself, and then He washed the disciple’s feet.” Today He stands in the midst of His churches, girt about the breasts with a golden girdle (Rev. 1:13), ready to serve His people on earth.

The Robe

This robe embodied the color of the heavens; it was all of blue. It portrayed the heavenly character of our great High Priest, and also pointed to the place where He is now ministering on our behalf.

Christ is a heavenly Priest, His people are partakers of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1), their citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), their inheritance is there (1 Pet. 1). Being worn beneath the ephod itself, this “robe” announces that the official character of Christ is sustained by what He is personally as the Heavenly One (1 Cor. 15:47).

The EphodWoven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet materials, it was very elaborate and ornate. On top of each of the shoulders the ephod was fastened by two onyx clasps on which were engraved the names of six of the 12 tribes.

The Ephod

The spotless linen spoke of the holy humanity of ChristThe gold, of His divine glory The colors, of the varied perfections of His character. “Christ acts for us as Priest in all that He is as Divine and human, the God-man. The whole value of His person enters into the exercise of His office.

The Breastplate

On the jewels were inscribed the names of Israel’s twelve tribes. Therefore, what we have foreshadowed here is Christ, as our great High Priest, bearing on His heart, sustaining, and presenting before God, His blood-bought people.

He is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. We shall never perish, neither shall any pluck us out of the Shepherd’s hand: and who shall separate us from His love?”

The Turban

The head-dress of the high priest represented his subordination to God, his obedience to God’s commands and submission to His will. The fine linen of which it was made, tells of the personal righteousness which must be found in the one who stands in the presence of God on behalf of others.

Jesus Christ was completely subordinate to God in his obedience. It is Jesus’ personal righteousness that has been imputed to all who believe because he went before the Father to atone for our sins.

The CrownGod can only accept that which is suited to His own nature. Everything offered to Him, therefore, must be stamped with holiness. This being so, we are cleansed and brought into relation with Him. If left to ourselves we could never accepted by the Father. But He has met our need. Christ, as Priest, bears the iniquity; and He is holiness to the Lord, so that our worship, as presented through Him is acceptable to God.

This golden-plate was the symbol of the essential holiness of the Lord Jesus. The saints are represented by Him and accepted in Him. Because of their legal and vital union with Him, His holiness is theirs.