_The priest’s office._ INTERPRETATION OF THE PRIESTHOOD The Hebrew priesthood was instituted because the people were not qualified to draw near to God in person. By virtue of their election, the people of Jehovah were entitled to dwell in His habitation, but their consciousness of sin made them afr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Holy garments for Aaron._ THE VESTMENTS OF OUR HIGH PRIEST The vestments appointed by God for the high priest when he went into the holy place were, besides those which he wore in common with the other priests, four: the ephod, with its “curious girdle”; the breastplate; the robe of the ephod; an... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ephod._ THE EPHOD The ephod, with its “curious girdle” and the oynx stones upon its shoulder-pieces, was the distinctive priestly garment. It hung upon the shoulders down to the waist, and was formed of the most costly and beautiful materials, corresponding exactly to those employed in the int... [ Continue Reading ]
_The breastplate of Judgment._ THE BREASTPLATE A full description of the breastplate is given twice over in the Book of Exodus, and from it we may gather certain useful lessons as to the Church in all ages. I. There were twelve stones in the breastplate, each of them different, and each bearing a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Aaron shall bear the names._ I. The person typified by aaron. 1. Christ (Hebrews 5:4). 2. His Divine call to the priesthood (Hebrews 5:10). 3. The destruction of His enemies (1 John 3:8). 4. The leader of His people (John 10:3). 5. The averter of God’s vengeance (1 Timothy 2:5). II. The perso... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Urim and the Thummim._ THE URIM AND THUMMIM A very great mystery hangs over those two words--“the Urim and the Thummim”--commonly translated “light and perfection”--in the Septuagint version, “manifestation and truth,”--and in the Vulgate, “doctrine and truth.” But until there shall stand up... [ Continue Reading ]
_The robe of the ephod._ THE ROBE OF THE EPHOD The third peculiar garment of the high priest was the robe of the ephod (Exodus 28:5; Exodus 28:31). On the skirts of which were fastened-- 1. The pomegranates of blue silk, and purple, and scarlet round about. This fruit hath a most pleasant smell,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Holiness to the Lord._ HOLINESS TO THE LORD This plate of pure gold was fastened by blue lace to the mitre, or turban, or tiara, or linen, which was upon the head of the high priest. He put it on with the robe of the ephod, the robe under the breastplate and the ephod--the robe of the ephod, which... [ Continue Reading ]
_The coat of fine linen._ THE EMBROIDERED COAT The portion of the high priest’s dress called the coat was more properly a tunic. It was the innermost garment worn by the high priest, being placed first upon him after he was washed (Leviticus 8:7). It seems to be derived from a verb meaning “to cove... [ Continue Reading ]