Gemstones: The High Priests Breastplate, Part 2

[Study Aired December 23, 2025]

Introduction

In Part One, we examined the High Priest’s breastplate—its foursquare construction symbolizing God’s complete representation of His people, its five materials (gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen) proclaiming truths about God’s nature and redemptive work, and the twelve precious stones arranged in four rows of three, each bearing an engraved tribal name. We traced how the stones represented Israel’s twelve tribes, from Reuben’s forfeited birthright to Benjamin’s transformation from sorrow to honor, discovering that each name carried prophetic significance pointing toward Christ and spiritual realities. Having established what the breastplate contained, we now turn to examine how it was secured to the ephod, the guidance provided through the Urim and Thummim, and ultimately how Christ fulfills this entire typology as our eternal High Priest who bears His people continuously in God’s presence.

The Breastplate’s Attachment: Secure Connection

God prescribed specific means by which the breastplate attached to the ephod, ensuring it would not become displaced during Aaron’s ministry. The attachment method reveals spiritual truth about believers’ security in Christ.

Two gold chains connected the breastplate’s upper corners to the ephod’s shoulder pieces: “And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate” (Exodus 28:22-24). These chains fastened the breastplate to the shoulder stones, upon which were engraved the names of all twelve tribes—six on each stone. The shoulders represent strength and burden-bearing. Isaiah prophesied of Christ: “And the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). The connection between breastplate and shoulders testified that God’s strength upholds His people.

The breastplate’s lower corners attached differently: “And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod” (Exodus 28:28). The blue lace—representing heaven’s authority—ensured the breastplate remained fixed in position. God commanded that it “be not loosed from the ephod.” This permanent attachment speaks powerfully of believers’ eternal security. Just as the breastplate could not be separated from the ephod without deliberate disobedience to God’s command, so believers cannot be separated from Christ. Paul declares, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

The Urim and Thummim: Divine Revelation

Within the doubled breastplate resided the Urim and Thummim, mysterious instruments through which God communicated His will to Israel. God commanded Moses: “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually” (Exodus 28:30).

The Hebrew words Urim (‘Uwriym, H224) and Thummim (Tummiym, H8550) mean “lights” and “perfections” respectively, suggesting they functioned to illuminate God’s perfect will. Their precise nature remains uncertain—Scripture provides no description of their appearance, composition, or exact method of use. This deliberate silence carries significance: God focused attention not on the instruments themselves but on the principle they illustrated—that divine guidance flows through priestly mediation. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5

Scripture records several instances where leaders sought God’s direction through the Urim and Thummim. When Joshua needed to allocate land among the tribes, God commanded: “And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD” (Numbers 27:21). This established the pattern: major decisions required priestly mediation through the sacred lots.

When Saul sought guidance but received no answer, the text records: “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6). This silence testified that God had departed from Saul due to his rebellion. The Urim’s failure to respond demonstrated that the instruments themselves possessed no power—they merely served as channels for God’s sovereign communication.

After the Babylonian exile, when questions arose about priestly genealogy, Nehemiah commanded that certain individuals “should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim” (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65). This requirement recognized that only through priestly mediation could matters of sacred importance be properly resolved. Yet significantly, no record exists of the Urim and Thummim being used after the exile. The instruments that once communicated God’s will had ceased to function, preparing Israel to recognize that a superior revelation was coming.

The Urim and Thummim typified external guidance—answers obtained through physical objects manipulated by an earthly priest. But this external system pointed toward internal reality. Under the New Covenant, believers receive direct guidance through the holy Spirit dwelling within them. Jesus promised: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). John writes: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27).

The progression from external Urim and Thummim to internal Spirit guidance follows Scripture’s consistent pattern: the natural first, then the spiritual. Israel depended on physical stones in a priest’s breastplate to know God’s will. Believers possess the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and are taught directly by the Spirit who searches all things, even the deep things of God. What the Urim and Thummim symbolized externally—divine light illuminating perfect truth—the holy Spirit accomplishes internally. Paul writes: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). The lights and perfections once contained in the breastplate now dwell in believers’ hearts through Christ.

Moreover, Christ Himself is the ultimate Urim and Thummim—the Light of the world (John 8:12) and the embodiment of perfection. He declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Believers need no external instruments to discern God’s will when they possess Christ within them, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The physical Urim and Thummim, like all shadows, have given way to the substance.

Christ’s High Priestly Ministry: The Breastplate Fulfilled

Every detail of Aaron’s breastplate pointed toward Christ’s superior priesthood. The writer of Hebrews establishes this connection extensively, demonstrating that the earthly sanctuary served as “the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). Aaron’s temporary, earthly ministry prefigured Christ’s eternal, heavenly ministry.

Aaron bore Israel’s names upon his heart when he entered God’s presence. Christ bears His people perpetually before the Father—not through engraved stones but through His own sacrifice and continuing intercession. The writer of Hebrews declares: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Christ’s intercession surpasses Aaron’s representation as substance exceeds shadow. Aaron entered the Holy of Holies once yearly, bearing names on stones; Christ entered heaven itself, bearing His people in His very being, and He remains there continually.

The precious stones on Aaron’s breastplate were valuable but created—formed in earth’s crust through natural processes. The value Christ places upon His people infinitely surpasses the worth of any earthly gem, for He purchased them “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Peter writes: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). No earthly treasure compares to the price Christ paid.

Aaron’s priesthood was imperfect and temporary. He himself required atonement for sin before offering sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 16:6). His ministry ended at death, requiring succession through his descendants. But concerning Christ, the writer of Hebrews declares: “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). The Greek word translated “unchangeable” (aparabatos, G531) means “permanent,” “inviolable,” “not passing to another.” Christ’s priesthood requires no succession because He lives eternally.

Furthermore, Christ’s priesthood operates on a superior basis. Aaron’s ministry functioned under the Mosaic covenant, which “made nothing perfect” (Hebrews 7:19). Christ’s priesthood establishes the New Covenant, ratified by His blood, which accomplishes what the old covenant could only foreshadow. Hebrews explains: “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

The earthly high priest offered animal sacrifices repeatedly, never able to perfect those who approached God through such offerings. Christ offered Himself once, achieving eternal redemption: “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 9:12). The repetition of Aaron’s sacrifices testified to their inadequacy; the singularity of Christ’s sacrifice declares its sufficiency.

Finally, Aaron ministered in an earthly sanctuary made with hands—a copy of the true tabernacle. Christ ministers in heaven itself, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). The contrast is absolute: earthly versus heavenly, temporary versus eternal, shadow versus substance, insufficient versus perfect.

When we understand that Christ fulfills every aspect of Aaron’s ministry, the breastplate’s significance becomes clear. Just as those twelve stones rested perpetually over Aaron’s heart, so believers rest perpetually in Christ’s love. Just as Aaron bore those names into God’s presence, so Christ bears His people before the Father’s throne. Just as the gold settings secured each stone in its appointed place, so God’s power keeps believers secure. Just as the blue lace prevented the breastplate from being loosed from the ephod, so nothing can separate believers from Christ’s love. The breastplate proclaimed truths now fulfilled in Christ’s eternal priesthood.

Application for Believers: Carried Upon His Heart

The breastplate’s significance extends beyond historical interest or typological study; it provides profound assurance and instruction for all who trust in Christ. Understanding what Aaron’s breastplate represented helps us grasp the security, value, and purpose they possess in Christ.

Security in Christ’s Intercession

The permanent attachment of the breastplate to the ephod speaks powerfully to our eternal security in Christ. God commanded that the breastplate “be not loosed from the ephod” (Exodus 28:28). This prohibition against separation illustrates the impossibility of believers being severed from Christ once united to Him by faith.

Jesus Himself declared this security in unmistakable terms: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). The double security—held in both Christ’s hand and the Father’s hand—surpasses even the breastplate’s attachment, for godly power maintains our standing, not our effort or obedience.

Paul expands this assurance throughout Romans 8, building toward his triumphant declaration: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). The comprehensive list—covering time, space, powers, and all creation—leaves no possibility unconsidered. Nothing can sever the connection between Christ and His people.

This security rests not on our faithfulness but on Christ’s finished work and continuing intercession. Hebrews emphasizes: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). The phrase “to the uttermost” means “completely,” “perfectly,” “for all time.” Christ’s salvation is not partial or conditional but absolute and eternal. Just as Aaron bore Israel’s names perpetually upon his heart, so Christ bears us continuously in His presence, guaranteeing our eternal acceptance before God.

Individual Value Within Corporate Unity

The twelve distinct stones, each bearing one tribe’s name, demonstrate that God knows and values His people individually while uniting them corporately. Each stone possessed unique color, composition, and characteristics, yet all together formed one complete breastplate. This pattern reveals God’s design for the body of Christ—unity in diversity, many members yet one body.

Paul develops this principle extensively in 1 Corinthians 12, using the human body as analogy: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Just as the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of thee” (1 Corinthians 12:21), so no believer can dismiss another’s importance. Each stone on the breastplate was essential; removing even one would have violated God’s command and rendered the breastplate incomplete.

Paul continues: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (1 Corinthians 12:18). God determines each believer’s position, function, and gifting according to His sovereign purpose. The sardius could not function as a jasper, nor the emerald as an onyx. Each stone served its appointed purpose in its designated location. Similarly, God gifts believers differently—“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).

The breastplate’s arrangement also teaches balance and order. Four rows of three stones each created symmetry and structure—not random placement but careful design. God’s body operates according to His wise arrangement, not human preference or carnal ambition. Paul warns against those who create divisions: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). The stones’ unified witness upon the breastplate models the unity Christ desires among His people.

Moreover, just as precious stones form through pressure, heat, and time in earth’s depths, so God shapes us through trials, testing, and the refining process of sanctification. Peter writes: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). The testing we endure serves God’s purpose of conforming us to Christ’s image, transforming us from rough stones into polished gems fit for His eternal dwelling place.

Conclusion: Engraved Upon His Heart

The High Priest’s breastplate stands as one of Scripture’s most beautiful and instructive types, revealing through material elements the spiritual realities of Christ’s priesthood and our relationship to Him. Every detail—from the materials employed to the stones’ arrangement, from the method of attachment to the placement over Aaron’s heart—proclaimed truths now fulfilled in Christ Jesus our great High Priest.

The twelve tribes represented by twelve precious stones foreshadowed the complete number of God’s elect, known individually yet united corporately, each valued as a priceless gem, all secured by divine power rather than human merit. Aaron bore those names into God’s presence through the veil; Christ has entered heaven itself, bearing His people perpetually before the Father’s throne through His own blood and continuing intercession.

The gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen spoke of God’s nature, heaven’s authority, royal priesthood, redemptive blood, and imputed righteousness—all finding their substance in Christ. The Urim and Thummim, providing external guidance through physical objects, pointed toward the Holy Spirit’s internal illumination of truth. The permanent attachment preventing the breastplate from being loosed from the ephod illustrated the eternal security believers possess in Christ, held by God’s power, never to be separated from His love.

As we continue through this series examining individual precious stones, we will discover how each gem reveals particular aspects of Christ’s nature and specific stages of our transformation. The sardius will speak of blood and the birthright transferred from Reuben to Christ. The sapphire will declare heavenly authority and God’s throne. The diamond will testify of hardness—both the hardness of unregenerate hearts and the enduring hardness of truth that cannot be compromised. Each stone contributes its unique voice to the comprehensive testimony about Christ and His people.

The fundamental truth proclaimed by all twelve stones together is this: believers are precious to God, known by name, carried upon Christ’s heart, secure in His finished work, and destined for His eternal glory. The God who commanded precise construction of the breastplate, specifying every material and each stone’s placement, exercises that same meticulous care over His people. Not one is forgotten, not one is lost, not one fails to reach the purpose for which God chose them before the foundation of the world.

The prophet Malachi, looking forward to God’s final work, declares: “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17). The Hebrew word translated “jewels” (segullah, H5459) means “treasured possession” or “peculiar treasure”—the very thing the breastplate’s precious stones represented. We who trust in Christ are God’s treasured possession, His peculiar people, His precious gems formed through pressure and time, extracted from earth’s bondage, refined through fire, and being fitted for permanent placement in His eternal dwelling.

Just as the breastplate rested continually over Aaron’s heart when he ministered in God’s presence, so believers rest perpetually upon Christ’s heart as He ministers in heaven’s true sanctuary. This position is not temporary but eternal, not conditional but absolute, not dependent on human faithfulness but secured by divine faithfulness. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). What God has purposed, He accomplishes; whom He has chosen, He keeps; what He has begun, He completes.

The breastplate of judgment has given way to the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14), for judgment has fallen upon Christ as our example. The precious stones once set in gold upon an earthly priest’s breast now represent living stones being built into God’s spiritual house, each believer a gem reflecting Christ’s glory, all together forming the dwelling place where God’s presence abides forever. From the temporary representation in the wilderness tabernacle to the eternal reality in heaven’s glory, God’s purpose stands: His people, precious as gems, carried upon His heart, secure in His love, destined for His eternal kingdom.

The Color Blue – Part 2

Blue is peculiar to the priesthood

[Study Aired November 23, 2025]

Up to this point we have seen blue only in conjunction with the colors purple and scarlet. In this study we will see blue where it is alone as well as sometimes with other colors.

We concluded our last study in chapter 35 of Exodus with the description of the men whom God uses to build His tabernacle. We saw that those who build God’s tabernacle are the same as those who are the tabernacle.  Those whom God uses in the construction of His Tabernacle are “filled… with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”

Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

These are gifts which God gives to those He uses to build His spiritual Tabernacle. God is not working only with physical materials these days. All of these materials are now spiritual. We will see today that blue is associated with the things of God’s spirit and is therefore peculiar to God’s priesthood.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

In the shadows of the Old Testament, we were told that those who were selected by God to build His Tabernacle were also gifted in working with ‘blue, purple and scarlet’ and in being capable of weaving these colors into the veil which we are told is Christ’s body:

Exo 35:35  Them hath he [God] filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work

Blue is associated with those who teach others

We saw last week that the men God chose to build His tabernacle were gifted in the ability to teach and to show to others how to do the things that were needed to accomplish the task of building God’s tabernacle:

Exo 35:30  And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
Exo 35:34  And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Exo 35:35  Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

Here is the anti-type which all these qualities of Bezeleel and Aholiab signify:

1Ti 3:1  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of [Build up and edify] the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1Ti 3:7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

What is the tabernacle?

Those who are building the Lord’s tabernacle today are building with the spiritual words and works of Jesus Christ. Is not Christ the very foundation of God’s temple? Of course, He is:

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

“We are God’s husbandry” laboring to build for Him a house in which He can dwell. At the same time “ye are God’s building” (1Co 3:9). In the same way Christ, too, is both the foundation of His Father’s Tabernacle, and He is that Tabernacle.

Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Christ is ‘the pattern, which was shown you in the mount.’

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

The word translated ‘pattern’ in this verse, quoted out of Exodus, is the Greek word ‘tupos.’

Here is Strong’s definition of this word:

“G5179
τυπος
tupos
too’- pos++++, a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): – en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.”

This is what we are told of Christ:

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

What do we do as we follow in His steps? We show these things to others:

Rev 19:9  And he [the angel who is instructing John] saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Who has “the testimony of Jesus Christ?” That would be John himself:

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Who does John symbolize? Again:

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

John is symbolic of those who comprise God’s “true tabernacle:”

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the [blue] heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Blue is peculiar to “the heavenly things”

Christ has entered into the heavens, and yet the world does not know where He is because the world does not know where or what ‘heaven’ is even though the scriptures make both very clear to those who are given eyes that see and ears that hear:

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves [you and I and “all in Adam”, (1Co 15:22)] with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself [“Christ in you”, (Col 1:27)], now to appear in the presence of God for us:

So, where did Christ go when he was resurrected and ascended to His Father? Where is His Father? Where is Christ? Where is “heaven itself?”

Joh 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Apparently it is possible to both “come down from heaven” and to “be in heaven” at the same time.

Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Act 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Christ is in “the clouds of the heavens.” So, where is He? This is “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints”:

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

That is right! Christ is even now in “the true tabernacle… which is… in you, the hope of glory.”

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

So, the tabernacle must be “according to the pattern” we have been given and according to the instructions we have been given. The words we have been given “are spirit and are life.” Spirit and life are not the words that come out of the hearts of false prophets who prophecy from their own hearts and say that they have matured beyond the words spoken by Christ in His Word, the Bible.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

“The words that I speak” are “that which is written” and anything which contradicts “that which is written” is a lie:

1Co 4:6  Now these things, brothers, I applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us ye might learn not to think above that which is written, so that ye may not be puffed up, one over the one against the other. (ACV)

Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

As we learned in our last study, the tabernacle of God is composed of ten curtains held together by blue loops and gold taches, both symbolizing the function of the spirit which brings us together as God’s church, which is His body:

Exo 36:11  And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of [another] curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Exo 36:12  Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which [was] in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.
Exo 36:13  And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is [the] Christ. [“One tabernacle”]

So what is “the body?” What is “the tabernacle?” What is “the temple of God?” They are all one and the same thing. They are all where Christ and His Father dwell within each of His elect.  What tells us the significance of the color blue is that when we see it in scripture, it is prominent. Blue comes first. When we see where blue is located and what is done by the things that are blue, then we know what its function is. Blue loops and gold taches hold together the tabernacle of God. Where else do we see the color blue?

The bindings of the gold rings of the ephod are with a lace of blue

Exo 28:28  And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Exo 28:30  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses

The robe of the ephod is all of blue

Exo 28:31  And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exo 28:32  And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Exo 28:33  And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exo 28:34  A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy [place] before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.

The gold plate of the mitre is to be on a blue lace

Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 28:37  And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
Exo 28:38  And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

Where blue is used, no expense is spared

Look at the details and the expense taken in the construction of the ephod. This ephod is part of the “cloths of service” of those who serve in the temple of God.

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Clothing is works. Filthy clothing is filthy works. “Fine linen, clean and white” is the righteousness of Christ in His elect. The intricacies of the priestly “cloths of service” testify to how true is the fact that every hair of our heads is numbered, “specially of those that believe.”

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut [it into] wires, to work [it] in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, [with] cunning work.
Exo 39:4  They made shoulder pieces for it, to couple [it] together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that [was] upon it, [was] of the same, according to the work thereof; [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, [that they should be] stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span [was] the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, [being] doubled.
Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this [was] the first row.
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: [they were] inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Exo 39:14  And the stones [were] according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, [of] wreathen work [of] pure gold.
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches [of] gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put [them] on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which [was] on the side of the ephod inward.
Exo 39:20  And they made two [other] golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod [of] woven work, all [of] blue.

Let’s go back to the blue lace holding the rings of the blue-robed ephod.

Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod [of] woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon [Definition: a coat or corslet of linen], with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, [and] twined [linen].
Exo 39:25  And they made bells [of] pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister [in]; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:27  And they made coats [of] fine linen [of] woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Exo 39:29  And a girdle [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, [of] needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown [of] pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, [like to] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

Everything inside the tabernacle is to be covered with “a cloth of blue”

Num 4:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Num 4:2  Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
Num 4:3  From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 4:4  This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
Num 4:5  And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Num 4:6  And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Num 4:7  And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
Num 4:8  And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Num 4:9  And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
Num 4:10  And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar.
Num 4:11  And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue , and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
Num 4:12  And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put [them] in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [them] on a bar:
Num 4:13  And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
Num 4:14  And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, [even] the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it.
Num 4:15  And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Moses and Aaron were both of the family of the Kohathites. So Korah and all of those working closest to Moses and Aaron were to be those of their own family who were closest to them. And yet they were not allowed to even touch the holy things.

This is all concerned with and signifies how close to the truth our brothers in Babylon are and yet how few are given eyes that see and ears that hear and keep the doctrines of Christ:

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein .
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Blue is the color of rulership

Est 8:15  And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

The negative application of blue

The blue of Egypt is not the blue which represents the rulership of the spirit over the flesh. The blue of Egypt is the rulership of the flesh in those who claim to be God’s rulers but are not:

Jer 10:8  But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Jer 10:9  Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

Eze 27:7  Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

So blue has a negative application and is, as with all things pertaining to God and righteousness, counterfeited by the Adversary.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

We have seen that the color blue is used many times in conjunction with the colors purple and scarlet, and this combination of colors covers all of the curtains of the tabernacle. When this is the case, blue is almost always mentioned first, followed by purple and scarlet is last. We have seen that blue signifies the things of the spirit and is peculiar to the tabernacle and to the priestly garments. We saw that it is blue which is used to hold the tabernacle together and to make it “one tabernacle.” We have seen that blue is used time and time again to “bind together” God’s tabernacle, the gold plate on the mitre, the breastplate to the ephod, etc. We have seen that blue is peculiar to the vessels of service and the implements of service of the tabernacle, which are all stored on blue cloths while in transit. We saw that those who work with blue are teachers, and finally we have been shown that blue has to do with the priesthood and rulership.

Knowing what is the true tabernacle and the true priesthood tells those with eyes to see and ears to hear, that when we see the color blue, we are talking about the things of the spirit and of heavenly things, of “the heavens themselves.” Blue signfies what is in the hearts and minds of God’s elect.

[Here is the next study in this series.]

]]> https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/exo-391-43-the-making-of-priestly-garments/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=exo-391-43-the-making-of-priestly-garments Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:41:56 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=27231 Exodus 39:1-43 The Making of Priestly Garments

[Study Aired February 27, 2023]

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work. 
Exo 39:4  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. 
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel. 
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. 
Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Exo 39:14  And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. 
Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. 
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. 
Exo 39:20  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. 
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Exo 39:25  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; 
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:27  And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, 
Exo 39:28  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, 
Exo 39:29  And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 
Exo 39:33  And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, 
Exo 39:34  And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins, and the vail of the covering, 
Exo 39:35  The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, 
Exo 39:36  The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, 
Exo 39:37  The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, 
Exo 39:38  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, 
Exo 39:39  The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
Exo 39:40  The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
Exo 39:41  The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office. 
Exo 39:42  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 
Exo 39:43  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

This chapter captures the making of priestly garments. In the Bible, garments have both positive and negative connotations. On a positive note, priestly garments represent the righteousness of Christ. 

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The negative aspect of garments reflects the sinful deeds of the flesh during our walk in Babylon and the world.  That is why, in the scriptures, we are admonished to change our garments when we come to Christ as shown in the following:

Mar 10:50  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 
Zec 3:4  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zec 3:5  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Gen 35:2  Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

What we need to know is that without these priestly garments, which reflect our righteousness in Christ, we cannot enter into the presence of the Lord. In the parable of the prodigal son, when he came to himself and asked for forgiveness from his father, he received a new garment or robe.

Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

The color red or scarlet symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The colors purple and scarlet remind us of our sojourn in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

What this means is that to change our old garments of flesh to put on Christ our righteousness, we must first recognize our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) while in Babylon before we are turned into blue linen, that is, Christ coming to us. All humanity must pass through the same process to put on the righteousness of Christ.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

The ephod was a garment of great importance and was a type of apron. It was an object to be revered in ancient Israelite culture. The ephod of the high priest was very special because it had a chest of twelve jewels on its front, which represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The ephod is worn as a ceremonial dress by the High Priest. We know that the High Priest is our Lord Jesus Christ. From the scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ’s garment that He wore represents Him. That is why when the woman with the flow of blood touched Jesus’ garment, Jesus said that someone has touched Him. 

Luk 8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 
Luk 8:44  Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 
Luk 8:45  And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 

This means the spiritual significance of putting on the ephod garment is to put on Christ.

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The question is, “What does it mean to put on Christ?” The verse above shows us that to put on Christ means not to focus on gratifying the desires of the sinful nature. 

The ephod must be of fine linen and colored gold, blue, purple and scarlet. The color gold signifies the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. That is what will qualify us to put on Christ, the ephod. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The fact that the ephod must have blue, purple and scarlet is to make us aware that putting on the righteousness of Christ is a process. We start our walk being earthy or scarlet or of the flesh. Then we proceed to the color purple which is a mixture of blue and red. As shown earlier, the color blue represents Christ coming to us in our earthly or fleshy state to produce the color purple. This represents our life in Babylon where our righteousness is of the letter of the word or the law of Moses. Finally, if we are called and chosen, then Christ will come to us with His judgment to conform us to the righteousness of Christ, represented by blue.

Exo 39:4  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together. 
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

In order for the ephod to become complete, two shoulder pieces must be joined to its two edges.  As indicated earlier, the ephod represents Christ our Lord. The two shoulder pieces are the elect and the rest of humanity who are to be joined to Christ at different times to complete the work of Christ. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 
1Co 15:23  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 
1Co 15:24  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

The girdle of the ephod must also be gold, blue, purple and scarlet. It represents the truth of the word of the Lord. What this means is that to be given to know the mysteries of Christ, we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

Mal 3:1  Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:2  But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 
Mal 3:3  He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Two onyx stones are to be mounted in gold and fastened on the ephod’s shoulder pieces. These stones are to be engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel with six names on one and six on the other. These stones represent the elect as we are fastened to the Lord’s shoulders. This means that when He comes to us, He carries us on His shoulders. Being carried on the shoulder means that it is the Lord who does the work – we are only resting on His shoulders as He does the walking (leads us).

Luk 15:4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 
Luk 15:5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

The breastplate was one of the sacred priestly garments to be worn by the High Priest. As a breastplate, its primary spiritual significance is that it stands for the righteousness of Christ. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

In Exodus 28:15, however, it is called the breastplate of judgment in connection with the attachment of the Urim and Thummim. The judgment here relates to knowing the mind of Christ concerning issues brought before the Lord. We can therefore see that it is only when we put on the righteousness of Christ we can know the mind of Christ. That is to say that it is when we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord, that we are able to know the will of God in our lives.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The breastplate was to be made of fine twined linen of gold, blue, purple and scarlet. As indicated earlier, this refers to the process we must go through to put on the righteousness of Christ. What this means is that we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

The fact that the breastplate must be four squared in shape is to let us know that all humanity must obtain the standard of the righteousness of Christ, though each in his own order. This is also another way of saying that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to God without Christ. 

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Exo 39:14  And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

The precious stones represent the elect. The fact that the stones are of different types is to suggest that we all play different roles in the body of Christ. 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 
Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Aaron was the first High Priest. Aaron represents Christ, who is our High Priest and bears the names of all the elect of every generation in His heart. This is another way of saying that as our High Priest, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as He intercedes on our behalf. 

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Rom 8:34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold. 
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it. 
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward. 
Exo 39:20  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.

The priests wore a long robe covering their whole body, then on top of this robe, there was a tunic, a kind of coat (breastplate) to the knees. On top of the tunic there was the ephod. These verses are to show us how the ephod is fastened to the breastplate (coat) through chains and rings made of pure gold. The importance of the chains and the rings is to ensure that the breastplate does not swing out from the ephod. As we have indicated, the whole of the priestly garments represents Christ. Since we are the body of Christ, we also represent the priestly garments. Just as the breastplate and the ephod must be fitly joined together, so is the body of Christ which must be fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Fitly joined together implies that there are no divisions in Christ. Any sign of division means that we have failed. We are all of the same mind pursuing one goal in Christ, which is to please God, and this is achieved through what everyone offers in the house of God. 

1Co 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend. 
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Exo 39:25  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates; 
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

As we have indicated, the color blue represents the Lord Jesus in our heavens. The robe of the ephod represents righteousness. These verses therefore imply that our righteousness is of Christ and not by ourselves. 

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The robe of the ephod must have an opening for the head in the middle of it. This opening should have a woven binding around it so that it does not tear. This woven binding is decorated with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarns around the hem with bells of gold in-between them.

Spiritually, the opening for the head regarding the robe of the ephod is another way of saying that in order to put on the righteousness of Christ, we should make a way for the Lord. To make a way for the Lord is to repent from our sins. In other words, we must be aware of spiritual poverty if we are to repent from our sins. This is the message that John the Baptist preached throughout his ministry.

Luk 3:2  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luk 3:3  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Luk 3:4  As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

As stated in verse 23, the opening for the head and the binding of woven work are what prevent the robe of the ephod from tearing. As indicated, the woven work is the embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet, inter-spaced with golden bells. Pomegranates symbolize the bearing of the fruit of the spirit when we start to possess our bodies or land.

Deu 8:7  For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Deu 8:8  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

The embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet is to remind us that we start our walk in the Lord bearing fruits of the flesh (purple and scarlet) before we bear the fruit of the spirit or Christ.

The golden bells, which are part of the embroidery work, are inter-spaced between the pomegranates. As we indicated in the previous study, the robe is one of the sacred articles of clothing for the High Priest. It was worn under the ephod. The significance of the robe was the bells attached to it. Their sounding as a result of Aaron’s movement, is to alert those outside the Holy place that Aaron is alive and well. The symbol of the golden bells on the embroidery work is therefore to remind us of the holiness of the Lord. It is when we walk in holiness that we are alive in Christ. The bells therefore represent holiness. 

Zec 14:20  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Exo 39:27  And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

Aaron and his sons represent the elect of every generation. All the Lord’s elect are priests before the Lord and are therefore required to serve or minister in the presence of the Lord.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Though many priests served in the Tabernacle, there was only one acting High Priest at any given time. The first High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. At his death, the office of High Priest was then transferred to his oldest son, down through the generations. As we are aware, we are the firstborn sons and therefore are entitled to wear these priestly garments as transferred to us by the Lord Jesus Christ who is our High Priest.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Exo 39:28  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen, 
Exo 39:29  And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

Now we come to the mitre which is the turban that covers the head of Aaron, the high priest. The mitre or the turban represents the helmet of salvation. Remember that all parts of the priestly garments are to be made of fine linen as linen which does not cause sweat. This means that putting on the righteousness of Christ is not the work of man. Everything is of Christ.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eze 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

In verse 30, the mitre bears the inscription “Holiness to the Lord” and was to be put on the forehead of Aaron, the high priest. This is to remind us that we were marked by the Lord to walk in holiness before the world began.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The fact that the inscription was made of gold is to show us the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire to attain holiness. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In verse 31, the inscription was to be put on a blue lace. The color blue signifies the Lord Jesus in our heavens. It is when the Lord comes to our heavens that we can attain holiness and be designated as “Holiness to the Lord”.

Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 
Exo 39:33  And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, 
Exo 39:34  And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins, and the vail of the covering, 
Exo 39:35  The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, 
Exo 39:36  The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, 
Exo 39:37  The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, 
Exo 39:38  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, 
Exo 39:39  The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
Exo 39:40  The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
Exo 39:41  The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office.

These verses are to demonstrate the work carried out in building a tabernacle for the Lord to dwell. This is New Jerusalem where the Lord dwells with His people. Our temple will be completed in the fullness of time when we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face.

1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Exo 39:42  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
Exo 39:43  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. 

These verses remind us that we should build according to the pattern, which is Christ. 

Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Moses here signifies the elect. As Moses was faithful in executing all that the Lord required, we are required to be faithful in building the temple of the Lord.

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 
Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

May the Lord grant us the grace to be faithful to building according to the pattern of Christ. Amen!!

Exodus 28:22-43  Instructions About Priests’ Garments, Part 2

[Study Aired November 28, 2022]

Exo 28:22  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold. 
Exo 28:23  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 28:24  And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 28:25  And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it. 
Exo 28:26  And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward. 
Exo 28:27  And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 28:28  And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod. 
Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. 
Exo 28:30  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. 
Exo 28:31  And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 
Exo 28:32  And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent. 
Exo 28:33  And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 
Exo 28:34  A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. 
Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. 
Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 28:37  And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. 
Exo 28:38  And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. 
Exo 28:39  And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework. 
Exo 28:40  And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exo 28:42  And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exo 28:43  And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

The second part of Exodus chapter 28 continues with instructions about the making of priestly garments. As indicated in the study of the first part of this chapter, garments have both positive and negative connotations. On a positive note, priestly garments represent the righteousness of Christ.

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The negative aspect of garments reflects the sinful deeds of the flesh during our walk in Babylon and the world.  That is why in the scriptures, we are admonished to change our garments when we come to Christ as shown in the following scripture:

Mar 10:50  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 
Zec 3:5  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. 

Gen 35:2  Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 

These priestly garments reflect our righteousness in Christ and without them, we cannot enter into the presence of the Lord. In the parable of the prodigal son, when he came to himself and asked for forgiveness from his father, he received a new garment or robe.

Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

What is significant about the priestly garments is that they were all to be made of linen.

Lev 16:3  Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 
Lev 16:4  He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

As we can see, the garments of the priests were made of linen. This is because it is a very unique fabric which keeps the wearer cool in hot weather, and warm when it is cold. Linen, therefore, does not cause sweat. Sweat represents exertion of effort or energy.

Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Eze 44:15  But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD: 
Eze 44:16  They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge. 
Eze 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. 
Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

The spiritual significance of wearing linen is to let us know that our salvation, including the changing of our garments into priestly outfits, is all the result of the work of God. Man plays no part in the things of God.

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

In today’s study, we will continue to learn more about other aspects of the priestly garments – the breastpiece, the mitre or the turban and the linen undergarment.

Exo 28:22  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
Exo 28:23  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 28:24  And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate. 
Exo 28:25  And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it. 
Exo 28:26  And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
Exo 28:27  And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod. 
Exo 28:28  And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.

The priests wore a long robe covering their whole body, then on top of this robe, there was a tunic, a kind of coat (breastplate) to the knees. On top of the tunic there was the ephod. These verses are to show us how the ephod is fastened to the breastplate (coat) through chains and rings made of pure gold. The importance of the chains and the rings is to ensure that the breastplate does not swing out from the ephod. As we have indicated, the whole of the priestly garments represents Christ. Since we are the body of Christ, we also represent the priestly garments. Just as the breastplate and the ephod must be fitly joined together, so is the body of Christ which must be fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Fitly joined together implies that there are no divisions in Christ. Any sign of division means that we have failed. We are all of the same mind pursuing one goal in Christ which is to please God, and this is achieved through what everyone offers in the house of God.

1Co 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 
1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. 

Aaron was the first High Priest. Aaron represents Christ who is our High Priest and bears the names of all the elect of every generation in His heart. Verse 29 is therefore another way of saying that as our High Priest, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as He intercedes on our behalf.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Rom 8:34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Exo 28:30  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. 

The Urim and the Thummim are parts of the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod. They were priestly devices for knowing the mind of God concerning a matter that was brought to Him. Scripture is unclear how these two elements are used by the Priests to know the will of God in a matter. Urim means “light” and Thummim symbolizes perfection. This means that being perfect in the sight of God means walking in His light or will.

Gen 17:1  When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,

During the time of Nehemiah, certain tribes who came from Babylon could not find their names in the register as Priests. They were therefore requested not to eat holy things until there stood up a Priest with Urim and Thummim. This is significant in the sense that it shows us that we, His elect, representing the Priest with Urim and Thummim, are the only ones who can discern the mind of Christ and also know whether one is a priest (an elect) or not.

Neh 7:63  And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
Neh 7:64  These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 
Neh 7:65  And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

Exo 28:31  And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 

As we have indicated, the color blue represents the Lord Jesus in our heavens. The robe of the ephod represents righteousness. Verse 31 therefore implies that our righteousness is of Christ and not by ourselves.

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Exo 28:32  And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Exo 28:33  And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 
Exo 28:34  A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

The robe of the ephod must have an opening for the head in the middle of it. This opening should have a woven binding around it so that it does not tear. This woven binding is decorated with pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarns around the hem with bells of gold between them.

Spiritually, the opening for the head regarding the robe of the ephod is another way of saying that in order to put on the righteousness of Christ, we should make a way for the Lord. To make a way for the Lord is to repent from our sins. In other words, we must be aware of spiritual poverty if we are to repent from our sins. This is the message that John the Baptist preached throughout his ministry.

Luk 3:2  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 
Luk 3:3  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 
Luk 3:4  As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

As stated in verse 32, the opening for the head and the binding of woven work are what prevent the robe of the ephod from tearing. As indicated, the woven work is the embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet, inter-spaced with golden bells. Pomegranates symbolize the bearing of the fruit of the spirit when we start to possess our bodies or land.

Deu 8:7  For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Deu 8:8  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

The embroidery work of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet is to remind us that we start our walk in the Lord bearing fruits of the flesh (purple and scarlet) before we bear the fruit of the spirit or Christ.

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

As indicated in the previous study, putting on the ephod garment is to put on Christ.

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The question is, “what does it mean to put on Christ?” The verse above shows us that to put on Christ means not to focus on gratifying the desires of the sinful nature.

The golden bells which are part of the embroidery work are inter-spaced between the pomegranates. As we indicated in the previous study, the robe is one of the sacred articles of clothing for the High Priest. It was worn under the ephod. The significance of the robe was the bells attached to it. Their sounding as a result of Aaron’s movement, is to alert those outside the Holy place that Aaron is alive and well. The symbol of the golden bells on the embroidery work is therefore to remind us of the holiness of the Lord. It is when we walk in holiness that we are alive in Christ. The bells therefore represent holiness.

Zec 14:20  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 
Exo 28:37  And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. 
Exo 28:38  And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. 

Now we come to the mitre, which is the turban that covers the head of Aaron, the high priest. As we indicated in the previous study, putting on these priestly garments is not different from putting on the whole armor of God, which is to help us stand against the wiles of the devil. The mitre or the turban represents the helmet of salvation.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

In verse 36, the mitre bears the inscription “Holiness to the Lord” and was to be put on the forehead of Aaron, the high priest. This is to remind us that we were marked by the Lord to walk in holiness before the world began.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The fact that the inscription was made of gold is to show us the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire to attain holiness. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In verse 37, the inscription was to be put on a blue lace. The color blue signifies the Lord Jesus in our heavens. It is when the Lord comes to our heavens that we can attain holiness and be designated as “Holiness to the Lord”.

Exo 28:39  And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Exo 28:40  And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. 
Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Aaron and his sons represent the elect of every generation. All the Lord’s elect are priests before the Lord and are therefore required to serve or minister in the presence of the Lord.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Though many priests served in the Tabernacle, there was only one acting High Priest at any given time. The first High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. At his death, the office of High Priest was then transferred to his oldest son, down through the generations. As we are aware, we are the firstborn sons and therefore are entitled to wear these priestly garments as transferred to us by the Lord Jesus Christ who is our High Priest.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Here in verse 40, we are given two reasons why the elect must be clothed with the holy garments. It is for glory and for beauty that we are required to put on the holy garments. The holy garments refer to the righteousness of Christ. The glory here refers to the glory of the Lord which represents the Lord Jesus Christ. What this means is that it is when we walk in righteousness (Put on the holy garments) that we can know Christ (see His glory). The other reason for putting on the holy garments is for beauty. This beauty spiritually means to worship the Lord in holiness.

1Ch 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psa 96:9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Verse 40 suggests that it is when we walk in righteousness we can worship the Lord in holiness.

Exo 28:42  And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: 
Exo 28:43  And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

We are commanded to make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Here in verse 42, we are given additional reasons why we need to put on these priestly garments. That is, to cover our nakedness. As we put on the righteousness of Christ, our nakedness is covered. This also implies that we do not uncover the nakedness of our brothers and sisters. The nakedness here spiritually signifies our wrongdoing or sins. It is through love (obedience to the Lord) that we are able to cover the multitude of sins of our brothers and sisters.

1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins.

May the Lord be merciful to us and grant us the grace to put on Christ, and as we do, we do not make provision for the flesh. Amen!!

Exo 28:1-21 Instructions About Priests’ Garments

[Study Aired November 14, 2022]

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.
Exo 28:2  And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 
Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 28:4  And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 28:5  And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 
Exo 28:6  And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. 
Exo 28:7  It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. 
Exo 28:8  And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 
Exo 28:9  And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: 
Exo 28:10  Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. 
Exo 28:11  With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. 
Exo 28:12  And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial. 
Exo 28:13  And thou shalt make ouches of gold; 
Exo 28:14  And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches. 
Exo 28:15  And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. 
Exo 28:16  Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. 
Exo 28:17  And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. 
Exo 28:18  And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 
Exo 28:19  And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 
Exo 28:20  And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. 
Exo 28:21  And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

This chapter deals with instructions about the making of priestly garments. In the Bible, garments have both positive and negative connotations. On a positive note, priestly garments represent the righteousness of Christ.

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 
Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 

The negative aspect of garments reflects the sinful deeds of the flesh during our walk in Babylon and the world.  That is why in the scriptures, we are admonished to change our garments when we come to Christ as shown in the following:

Mar 10:50  And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 
Zec 3:4  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 
Zec 3:5  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Gen 35:2  Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 

What we need to know is that without these priestly garments which reflect our righteousness in Christ, we cannot enter into the presence of the Lord. In the parable of the prodigal son, when he came to himself and asked for forgiveness from his father, he received a new garment or robe.

Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 

In today’s study, we will learn the spiritual truth applicable to our walk with Christ regarding the making of these priestly garments that only the elect are required to wear.

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Aaron and his sons represent the elect of every generation. All the Lord’s elect are priests before the Lord and are therefore required to serve or minister in the presence of the Lord.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

A key requirement for us to minister or serve before the presence of the Lord is obedience. Just as our Lord learnt obedience by the things He suffered, we are also to learn obedience by our fiery trials or judgement in order to minister before the Lord.

1Sa 12:14  If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well.

Psa 101:6  I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

Exo 28:2  And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 

Though many priests served in the Tabernacle, there was only one acting High Priest at any given time. The first High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses. At his death, the office of High Priest was then transferred to the oldest son, down through the generations. As we are aware, we are the firstborn sons and therefore are entitled to wear these priestly garments as transferred to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Here in verse 2, we are given two reasons why the elect must be clothed with the holy garments. It is for glory and for beauty that we are required to put on the holy garments. As explained earlier, the holy garments refer to the righteousness of Christ. The glory here refers to the glory of the Lord which represents the Lord Jesus Christ. What this means is that when we walk in righteousness (Put on the holy garments) then we can know Christ (see His glory). The other reason for putting on the holy garments is for beauty. This beauty spiritually means to worship the Lord in holiness.

1Ch 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psa 96:9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Verse 2 therefore suggests that it is when we walk in righteousness that we can worship the Lord in holiness.

Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 

The wise hearted refers to the elect. The making of the priestly garments that we, His elect, are to put on, is possible only when we are granted to be filled with the spirit of wisdom by the Lord. In the Bible, the spirit of wisdom is identical to understanding of the word of the Lord.

Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Dan 5:14  I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

This understanding relates to being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God through the Lord’s words. What this implies is that as we are being given to know Christ through His words, we are automatically putting on the priestly garments which qualifies us to consecrated to minister before the Lord as priests.

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

Our consecration (being sanctified or being made holy) is through the fiery trials or judgment we go through because of the word we have received.

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Exo 28:4  And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 

The priestly garments consist of the breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a broidered coat, a mitre (turban) and a girdle (belt). The ephod was a garment of great importance and was a type of apron. It was an object to be revered in ancient Israelite culture. The ephod of the high priest was very special because it had a chest of 12 jewels on its front which represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The ephod is worn as a ceremonial dress by the high Priest. We know that the High priest is our Lord Jesus Christ. From the scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ’s garment that He wore represents Him. That is why when the woman with the flow of blood touched Jesus’ garment, Jesus said that someone has touched Him.

Luk 8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 
Luk 8:44  Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 
Luk 8:45  And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 

What this means is that the spiritual significance of putting on the ephod garment is to put on Christ.

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The question is, “What does it mean to put on Christ?” The verse above shows us that to put on Christ means not to focus on gratifying the desires of the sinful nature. In the preceding verse of Romans 13:14, we are told that we have to wake up from our sleep by casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armour of light, which is the same as putting on Christ. These verses suggest that the works of darkness are the same as gratifying the desires of the flesh which bring us to spiritual sleep.

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 
Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 

Since Christ’s garment represents Him, the dividing of His garment into four parts by the Roman soldiers after Jesus’ death on the cross is the divisions we see among the whole of the physical churches of this world. The coat of Christ which was not divided represents the elect who are not divided and are called and chosen by the casting of Lots. We must remember that the casting of lots which was common in the Old Testament was a way to know the Lord’s will. This means that we, His elect were called and chosen by God’s will and not by our own selves.

Jon 1:7  And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

Joh 19:23  Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 
Joh 19:24  They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

The broidered coat is simply a tunic which is worn by the priest first after having washed in the laver at the outer court.

Lev 8:6  And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 
Lev 8:7  And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. 

The broidered coat was the innermost garment worn by the high priest, and the word seems to be derived from a verb meaning “to cover or hide.” The putting on of the broidered coat therefore signifies the birth of the hidden man in us who is Christ after we have left Babylon (outer court) to enter into the presence of the Lord (holy place). The coat, therefore, signifies our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Pe 3:3  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 
1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

The robe is one of the sacred articles of clothing for the High Priest. It was worn under the ephod. The significance of the robe was the bells attached to it. Their sounding as a result of Aaron’s movement, is to alert those outside the Holy place that Aaron is alive and well. This robe is therefore a symbol of Christ. It is when we are in Him that we are spiritually alive. As we have indicated, this coat is the same as Jesus’ coat for which the Romans cast lots.

Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Putting on these priestly garments is no different from putting on the whole armor of God which is to help us stand against the wiles of the devil. The spiritual significance of the breastplate part of the priestly garment is not any different from the breastplate of the armor of God. The breastplate therefore signifies our righteousness or the righteousness of Christ. The girdle represents the truth of the word of the Lord, and the mitre or the turban is the helmet of salvation.

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Exo 28:5  And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 
Exo 28:6  And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. 
Exo 28:7  It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. 

The ephod must be of fine linen and colored gold, blue, purple and scarlet. The color gold signifies the need to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgement of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. That is what will qualify us to put on Christ, the ephod.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The color red or scarlet, symbolizes the first Adam being of the earth, while the color blue symbolizes the last Adam – Jesus Christ coming to be in our heavens. The colors purple and scarlet remind us of our sojourn in Babylon where our adamic nature became obvious while living under the law as shown in the following verses:

Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 

What this means is that to change our old garments of flesh to put on Christ our righteousness, we must first recognize our spiritual poverty (purple and scarlet linen) while in Babylon before we are turned into blue linen, that is, Christ coming to us. All humanity must pass through the same process to put on the righteousness of Christ.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

In order for the ephod to become complete, two shoulder pieces must be joined to its two edges.  As indicated earlier, the ephod represents Christ our Lord. The two shoulder pieces are the elect and the rest of humanity who are to be joined to Christ at different times to complete the work of Christ.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 
1Co 15:24  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

Exo 28:8  And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

The girdle of the ephod must also be gold, blue, purple and scarlet. As indicated, the girdle represents the truth of the word of the Lord. What this means is that to be given to know the mysteries of Christ, we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

Mal 3:1  “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:2  But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 
Mal 3:3  He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Exo 28:9  And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: 
Exo 28:10  Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. 
Exo 28:11  With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. 
Exo 28:12  And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial. 

Two onyx stones are to be mounted in gold and fastened on the ephod’s shoulder pieces. These stones are to be engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel with six names on one shoulder piece and six on the other. These stones represent the elect as we are fastened to the Lord’s shoulders. This means that when He comes to us, He carries us on His shoulders. Being carried on the shoulder means that it is the Lord who does the work – we are only resting on His shoulders as He does the walking (leads us).

Luk 15:4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 
Luk 15:5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

Exo 28:13  And thou shalt make ouches of gold;
Exo 28:14  And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches. 

Moses was instructed to make two gold settings. In addition to this, two chains of pure gold twisted like cords must be made and attached to the settings. The gold chains are to be used to fasten the two upper corners of the breastplate to the upper corners of the ephod. The significance of this chain, which was made of gold, is to let us know that as we are refined through our fiery trials, we learn righteousness to become the breastplate of righteousness, and it is through this righteousness that we remain secured or fastened to Christ who is the ephod.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

Exo 28:15  And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. 
Exo 28:16  Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

The breastplate was one of the sacred priestly garments to be worn by the High Priest. As a breastplate, its primary spiritual significance is that it stands for the righteousness of Christ.

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

In verse 15, however, it is called the breastplate of judgment in connection with the attachment of the Urim and Thummim. The judgment here relates to knowing the mind of Christ concerning issues brought before the Lord. We can therefore see that it is only when we put on the righteousness of Christ that we can know the mind of Christ. That is to say that it is when we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord that we are able to know the will of God in our lives.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The breastplate was to be made of fine twined linen of gold, blue, purple and scarlet. As indicated earlier, this refers to the process we must go through to put on the righteousness of Christ. What this means is that we must come to understand our spiritual poverty in Babylon (signified by the colors scarlet and purple) before Christ comes to us (represented by blue) to refine us (symbolized by the color gold) to learn righteousness.

The fact that the breastplate must be four squared in shape is to let us know that all humanity must obtain the standard of the righteousness of Christ, but each in his own order. This is also another way of saying that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to God without Christ.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Exo 28:17  And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. 
Exo 28:18  And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 
Exo 28:19  And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 
Exo 28:20  And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. 
Exo 28:21  And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes. 

These precious stones represent the elect. They were arranged in four rows and three columns on the breastplate of judgement. The fact that the precious stones were arranged in four rows and three columns is to let us know that the whole of the Lord’s elect of every generation (Significance of the number four) must suffer or be judged as part of the process of becoming spiritually mature (significance of the number three).

The most significant aspect of the breastplate is its use in connection with the Urim and Thummim which help the High Priest to know the mind of God. To have the mind of Christ is a sign of spiritual maturity. What this means is that every elect must have the mind of Christ or becoming spiritually mature through the judgement of our old man.

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

May the Lord continue to be merciful to us to have the mind of Christ as we become spiritually mature through our fiery trials. Amen!!

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Awesome Hands – Part 101

“Garments of Consecration”

July 8, 2016

Ministering to God and His will is a calling we have all been given.

In Exodus 28 we are going to see the establishment of God’s tabernacle concerning the priests and their offices and how the Lord commanded the “children of Israel” to approach ministering to Him via His tabernacle.

There are many gifts within the body of Christ and it is important that we be able to recognize and emphasis each of them for their importance to the collective body.

In our verses today, we are going to see the start of the priesthood being setup for the benefit of the tabernacle and for ministry towards the Lord.

Our verses for today are found in Exodus 28:1-29.

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Exo 28:2  And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

The first thing to notice is that Aaron and his sons are taken from the children of Israel so that they can minister to the Lord. Of course, their ministering to the tabernacle is a direct way for them to minister to the people of God.

The next thing told to Moses is that he, Moses, will make holy garments for Aaron for glory and beauty. When considering that Moses was made a god to Pharaoh and Aaron was his prophet, then considering this type and shadow as applying here, we can see it is a type of Jesus Christ making holy garments for His prophets so that they, too, can be used to show the glory and beauty of the work of the Lord.

Exo 7:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Exo 7:2  Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
Exo 7:3  And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

This point is important to remember as we go through this study because the Lord uses His prophets to speak AGAINST whatever the “Pharaoh’s heart” says concerning the commandments that the Lord brings to his attention. We must all continually weigh the heart of the old man in us against the Word of God.

Continuing, we read:

Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Another important aspect to point out is that in verse 2 the Lord tells Moses that Moses will be the one to make holy garments for Aaron, but now we learn how it is Moses will ORCHESTRATE the making of these items which will allow Aaron and his sons to minister to Him in the tabernacle.

Moses will do the making by “speaking to the wise hearted who have the spirit of wisdom” so that they can make these garments of consecration.

Right about now you may be asking yourself why I am pointing out the things we just read, and the answer to that is that it is incumbent for us to realize that it is the children of Israel filled with wisdom (wisdom being Jesus Christ when we consider the sum of the Word), who have prophets pulled out from among them AND who are also used to create these items necessary for the ministering of the tabernacle.

This will make a lot of sense moving forward in this study, but for now we are going to be told what items are to be created.

Exo 28:4  And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 28:5  And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

Notice that the items to be made are made out of the same materials from which the tabernacle is made because “the dream is one.” Everything we read about in the old testament tabernacle is going to see connected to us today in very striking ways as the Lord reveals it to us.

Starting in this study today we are going to give general descriptions to the various garments worn by the priests. Then we are going to get a little more specific with each item.

We won’t get to them all today, but we will cover a few of them.

We see mentioned 6 different items: A breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a broidered coat, a mitre and a girdle.

Breastplate

H2833
chôshen
Total KJV Occurrences: 25
breastplate, 25
Exo_25:7, Exo_28:4, Exo_28:15, Exo_28:22-24 (4), Exo_28:26, Exo_28:28-30 (4), Exo_29:5, Exo_35:9, Exo_35:27, Exo_39:8-9 (2), Exo_39:15-17 (3), Exo_39:19, Exo_39:21 (2), Lev_8:8 (2)

H2833

chôshen
kho'-shen
From an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest: - breastplate.
Total KJV occurrences: 25

H2833
chôshen
BDB Definition:
1) breastplate, breastpiece
1a) sacred pouch of the high priest designed to hold the Urim and Thummim
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle
Same Word by TWOT Number: 772a

The main function of the breastplate is that the one speaking on behalf of God, Aaron, was speaking from a place of judgment because judgment is always on the heart of Aaron.

Exo 28:15  And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Exo 28:30  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

Urim and Thummim were used to know the judgment of the Lord via working through the hands of the one holding the Urim and Thummim. There are many scholarly endeavors to try to figure out the meaning of these two items and how exactly they were used, but the most accepted explanation is that they were used for yes and no questions or guilt versus innocence.

This would make biblical sense as well given that Christ tells us be mindful to let communication be yay or nay.

Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Why would it be important that the high priest always have the judgment of the Lord on his heart? Simply put, the Lord has made His priests overseers of the flock of Israel, and we know who are the true Jews to our Lord.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The overseers of the Lord will always be looking out for the flock while guarding against wolves in sheep’s clothing and also ministering to the tabernacle. In fact, they are one in the same thing.

Ephod

The second item we are going to see mentioned is the ephod.

Exo 28:6  And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Exo 28:7  It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

We now have the shoulder piece being mentioned which has several interesting characteristics.

H646
'êphôd
Total KJV Occurrences: 49
ephod, 49
Exo_25:7, Exo_28:4, Exo_28:6, Exo_28:12, Exo_28:15, Exo_28:25-28 (7), Exo_28:31, Exo_29:5 (3), Exo_35:9, Exo_35:27, Exo_39:2, Exo_39:7-8 (2), Exo_39:18-22 (8), Lev_8:7 (2), Jdg_8:27, Jdg_17:5, Jdg_18:14, Jdg_18:17-18 (2), Jdg_18:20, 1Sa_2:18, 1Sa_2:28, 1Sa_14:3, 1Sa_21:9, 1Sa_22:18, 1Sa_23:6, 1Sa_23:9, 1Sa_30:7 (2), 2Sa_6:14, 1Ch_15:27, Hos_3:4

H646

'êphôd    'êphôd
ay-fode', ay-fode'
Second form is a rare form; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high priest’s shoulder piece; also generally an image: - ephod.
Total KJV occurrences: 49

H646
'êphôd
BDB Definition:
1) ephod
1a) priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle, outer garment
1a1) worn by an ordinary priest and made of white stuff
1a2) worn by the high priest - more costly, woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads provided with shoulder-pieces and a breast piece of like material, ornamented with gems and gold
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: probably of foreign derivation
Same Word by TWOT Number: 142.1a

Here is what the ephod looked like.

Exo 28:8  And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 28:9  And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Exo 28:10  Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
Exo 28:11  With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
Exo 28:12  And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

Here is what the breastplate looked like. This is in the ESV translation.

Exo 28:15  "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it--of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it.
Exo 28:16  It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth.
Exo 28:17  You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row;
Exo 28:18  and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Exo 28:19  and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
Exo 28:20  and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.
Exo 28:21  There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
Exo 28:22  You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold.
Exo 28:23  And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece.
Exo 28:24  And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece.
Exo 28:25  The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Exo 28:26  You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod.
Exo 28:27  And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
Exo 28:28  And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod.
Exo 28:29  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.

Essentially you have 4 rows of stones with each row having 3 stones. Each stone represents one of the tribes of Israel. The breastplate hangs from the ephod, the shoulder piece, which also has two onyx stones. Each onyx stone has six of the tribes engraved on it with one being on one shoulder and the other stone on the opposite shoulder.

Literally, the high priest bares the weight of Israel on his shoulders as he also kept them close to his heart.

Exo 28:12  And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

High priest

Heb 3:1  (ESV) Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Heb 3:1  (KJV) Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Mentioning all of these items that the children of Israel, filled with wisdom, made for the high priest, helps us understanding our connection to the high priest.

Understanding this connection always entails knowing how the high priest is chosen.

Heb 5:1  For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Heb 5:2  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Heb 5:3  And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Heb 5:4  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Heb 5:5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Why do I mention these things? I think it will be more easily understood if I use examples from scripture to explain.

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

When we take Jesus at His words here, the natural and literal interpretation of what we just read will be utter foolishness.

How can a “house” have “many mansions”? Houses have rooms, but how can they CONTAIN whole mansions?

Well, looking at it in a literal way will not allow us to see the meaning behind Jesus’ words. Likewise, understanding our connection to Jesus the Christ with Jesus being the Head and the church being the body is a similar example.

Specifically, the body is made up of “many members in particular” as the KJV puts it. Those members are given gifts, not of themselves but given by God.

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1Co 12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The entire tabernacle is representative of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the tabernacle of God is representative of the Head and the body. The body cannot be separated from the Head without both dying and being of no use.

In particular to this study, the reason God chose out Aaron and his sons was so that they could minister to the tabernacle. In our day and age as Christians this is represented in various gifts and appointments that God has ordained to happen.

Like with Moses, God uses those with wisdom to ordain His ministers.

Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate^H6942 him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:40  And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon^{H3847 (H853) (H853)} Aaron^H175 thy brother,^H251 and his sons^H1121 with^H854 him; and shalt anoint^H4886 them, and consecrate^{H4390 (H853) H3027} them, and sanctify^H6942 them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.^H3547

What does it mean to be anointed, consecrated and sanctified in the priest’s office?

Anoint

H4886

mâshach
maw-shakh'
A primitive root; to rub with oil, that is, to anoint; by implication to consecrate; also to paint: - anoint, paint.
Total KJV occurrences: 71

Consecrate

H4390 with H3027
mâlê'  /  mâlâ'
BDB Definition:
1) to fill, be full
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be full
1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle)
1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended
1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied
1b2) to be accomplished, be ended
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to fill
1c2) to satisfy
1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete
1c4) to confirm
1d) (Pual) to be filled
1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root
Same Word by TWOT Number: 1195

From dictionary.com:

verb (used with object), consecrated, consecrating.
1. to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of adeity to consecrate a new church building.
2. to make (something) an object of honor or veneration; hallow:
a custom consecrated by time.
3. to devote or dedicate to some purpose:
a life consecrated to science.
4.to admit or ordain to a sacred office, especially to the episcopate (bishop).
5. to change (bread and wine) into the Eucharist.
adjective
6. consecrated; sacred.

Sanctify

H6942

qâdash
kaw-dash'
A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.
Total KJV occurrences: 171

There are a few things I’ll mention about consecration because it is very informative and important to understand.

We see the English word consecration used a few times in Exodus 28, but one time it actually is the same Hebrew word meaning sanctify (verse 3). The other time it is used in conjunction with “yad”, H3027, meaning hand.

The very first appointments to any office with God in His tabernacle was done with the laying on of hands of Moses to Aaron and his sons.

For us as Christians, this has a spiritual meaning, but the Hebrew example and definition you read above is the combination of two words that equal the concept of consecration.

Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon^{H3847 (H853) (H853)} Aaron^H175 thy brother,^H251 and his sons^H1121 with^H854 him; and shalt anoint^H4886 them, and consecrate^{H4390 (H853) H3027} them, and sanctify^H6942 them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.^H3547

Exo 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate^{H4390 (H853) H3027} them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Here are a few other examples found in Exodus 29, Leviticus 16 and Ezekiel 43. There are others, but these will suffice as examples.

Exo 29:33  And they shall eat^H398 those things wherewith^H834 the atonement was made,^H3722 to consecrate^{H4390 (H853) H3027} and to sanctify^H6942 them: but a stranger^H2114 shall not^H3808 eat^H398 thereof, because^H3588 they^H1992 are holy.^H6944

Lev 16:32  And the priest,^H3548 whom^H834 he shall anoint,^H4886 and whom^H834 he shall consecrate^{H4390 (H853) H3027} to minister in the priest's office^H3547 in his father's stead,^{H8478 H1} shall make the atonement,^H3722 and shall put on^{H3847 (H853)} the linen^H906 clothes,^H899 even the holy^H6944 garments:^H899

Eze 43:26  Seven^H7651 days^H3117 shall they purge^{H3722 (H853)} the altar^H4196 and purify^H2891 it; and they shall consecrate^{H4390 H3027} themselves.

The example of this having a spiritual meaning for us as Christians is found in 1 Timothy.

1Ti 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1Ti 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1Ti 5:19  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1Ti 5:20  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1Ti 5:21  I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
1Ti 5:22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

The Hebrew concept of consecration is to “fill the hands” with the one on whom you are placing yours hands. In other words, in order to ordain anyone to an office of the Lord, one must give their full confidence to the one being appointed and also recognize that by doing so they, too, will have their “hands full” and be able to lay hands on others.

Conclusion

With the conclusion of this study I will explain how and why this all comes together and why it is important and also how to build upon it as we do the next few studies.

The tabernacle in the old testament is the physical example of the spiritual tabernacle of Jesus the Christ in the new testament.

The priests have been ordained by God and clothed with items that the children of Israel were used to create to give God all the glory. The priests and people are used together for the plan of God and you cannot separate one from the other.

Just like physical Israelites must visit the tabernacle and be ministered to by the priests for things such as the sacrifices for their sins, so, too, must the spiritual Jews come together to represent all the many-membered functions and gifts of the body of Christ.

If a member of the body of Christ isolates himself from the rest of the body, then he will be swallowed up by the sea of humanity and the doctrines they possess.

The very image of the items given to the priests to wear and what they represent tells us that God takes His judgments seriously, and those that have been ordained to keep judgment close to their heart at all times, are the ones God tells us we MUST be willing to visit especially concerning doctrine.

Likewise, we should never forget that out of the very first priests that God ordained to be His priests, two of them (Nadab and Abihu) offered strange fire to the Lord and were killed. They offered STRANGE DOCTRINE, in other words, if we want to see the spiritual equivalent of their actions because our words are as fire.

Jer 23:29  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Just because two of those ordained priests of God were killed for false doctrine/strange fire, that does not mean that the rest of the priests have false doctrine.

We all as the body of Christ must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, and we must remain true to His doctrine, and I hope that will be shown as we continue to examine the various offices of the tabernacle and how they were filled.

Just like Peter who was called out by Christ to walk on the sea/water, we, too, will sink if we do not keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. However, Jesus Christ is a head and body, and we MUST be as watchmen and keep our eyes ever watching over the city of the tabernacle, else we will sink into the doctrines of the sea of humanity.

In our next study, we are going to continue to look at the other items mentioned as being created and placed on the priests.

The robe, broidered coat, mitre and girdle all have very important meanings for our lives as Christians and will all coalesce around how we use them to be in the world but not of the world …. just as the tabernacle of the Jews was in type and shadow in the old testament.

Blue is peculiar to the priesthood

Up to this point we have seen blue only in conjunction with the colors purple and scarlet. We concluded our last study in chapter 35 of Exodus with the description of the men whom God uses to build His tabernacle. We saw that those who build God’s tabernacle are the same as those who comprise the tabernacle.  Those whom God uses in the construction of His Tabernacle are “filled… with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

These are gifts which God gives to those He uses to build His spiritual Tabernacle. God is not working with physical materials these days. All of these materials are now spiritual. We will see today that blue is associated with the things of God’s spirit and is therefore peculiar to God’s priesthood.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

In the shadows of the Old Testament, we were told that those who were selected by God to build His Tabernacle were also gifted in working with ‘blue, purple and scarlet’ and in being capable of weaving these colors into the veil which we are told is Christ’s body:

Exo 35:35  Them hath he [God] filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work

Blue is associated with those who teach others

We saw last week that the men God chose to build His tabernacle were gifted in the ability to teach and to show to others how to do the things that were needed to accomplish the task of building God’s tabernacle:

Exo 35:30  And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
Exo 35:31  And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exo 35:32  And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 35:33  And in the cutting of stones, to set [ them], and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
Exo 35:34  And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Exo 35:35  Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

What is the tabernacle

Those who are building today are building with the spiritual words and works of Jesus Christ. Is Christ the foundation of God’s temple? Of course, He is:

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye are] God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

“We are God’s husbandry” laboring to build for Him His tabernacle. At the same time “ye are God’s building.” In the same way Christ, too, is both the foundation of His Father’s Tabernacle, and He is that Tabernacle.

Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Christ is ‘the pattern, which was shown you in the mount.’

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

The word translated ‘pattern’ in this verse, quoted out of Exodus, is the Greek word ‘tupos.’
Here is Strong’s definition of this word:

“G5179
τυπος
tupos
too’- pos
From G5180; a die (as struck), that is, (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy a shape, that is, a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (“type”), that is, a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): – en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.”

This is what we are told of Christ:

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

What do we do as we follow in His steps? We show these things to others:

Rev 19:9  And he [the angel who is instructing John] saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Who has “the testimony of Jesus Christ? That would be John himself:

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Who does John symbolize? Again:

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

John is symbolic of those who comprise God’s “true tabernacle:”

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Blue is peculiar to “the heavenly things”

Christ has entered into the heavens, and the world does not know where He is:

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

So, where did Christ go when he was resurrected and ascended to His Father? Where is His Father? Where is Christ? Where is “heaven itself?”

Joh 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Apparently it is possible to both “come down from heaven” and to “be in heaven” at the same time.

Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Act 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Christ is in “the clouds of the heavens.” So, where is He?

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

That is right! Christ is even now in “the true tabernacle… which is… in you, the hope of glory.”
So, the tabernacle must be “according to the pattern” we have been given and according to the instructions we have been given. The words we have been given “are spirit and are life.” Spirit and life are not the words that come out of the hearts of false prophets who prophecy from their own hearts and say that they have matured beyond the words spoken by Christ in His Word, the Bible.
As we learned in our last study, the tabernacle of God is composed of ten curtains held together by blue loops and gold taches, both symbolizing the function of the spirit which brings us together as God’s church, which is His body:

Exo 36:11  And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of [another] curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Exo 36:12  Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which [was] in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.
Exo 36:13  And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is [the] Christ.

So what is “the body?” What is “the tabernacle?” What is “the temple of God?” They are all one and the same thing. They are all where Christ and His Father dwell within each of His elect.  What tells us the significance of the color blue is that when we see it in scripture, it is prominent. Blue comes first. When we see where blue is located and what is done by the things that are blue, then we know what its function is. Blue loops and gold taches hold together the tabernacle of God. Where else do we see the color blue?

The bindings of the gold rings of the ephod are with a lace of blue

Exo 28:28  And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
Exo 28:29  And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Exo 28:30  And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses

The robe of the ephod is all of blue

Exo 28:31  And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exo 28:32  And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Exo 28:33  And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exo 28:34  A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exo 28:35  And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy [place] before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.

The gold plate of the mitre is to be on a blue lace

Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate [of] pure gold, and grave upon it, [like] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 28:37  And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
Exo 28:38  And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

Where blue is used no expense is spared

Look at the details and the expense taken in the construction of the ephod. This ephod is part of the “cloths of service” of those who serve in the temple of God.

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Clothing is works. Filthy clothing is filthy works. “Fine linen, clean and white” is the righteousness of Christ in His elect. The intricacies of the priestly “cloths of service” testify to how true is the fact that every hair of our heads is numbered, “specially of those that believe.”

Exo 39:1  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:2  And he made the ephod [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:3  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut [it into] wires, to work [it] in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, [with] cunning work.
Exo 39:4  They made shoulder pieces for it, to couple [it] together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
Exo 39:5  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that [was] upon it, [was] of the same, according to the work thereof; [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:6  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
Exo 39:7  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, [that they should be] stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:8  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; [of] gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exo 39:9  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span [was] the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, [being] doubled.
Exo 39:10  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this [was] the first row.
Exo 39:11  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 39:12  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 39:13  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: [they were] inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
Exo 39:14  And the stones [were] according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
Exo 39:15  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, [of] wreathen work [of] pure gold.
Exo 39:16  And they made two ouches [of] gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:17  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
Exo 39:18  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
Exo 39:19  And they made two rings of gold, and put [them] on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which [was] on the side of the ephod inward.
Exo 39:20  And they made two [other] golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the [other] coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod [of] woven work, all [of] blue.

Let’s go back to the blue lace holding the rings of the blue-robed ephod.

Exo 39:21  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:22  And he made the robe of the ephod [of] woven work, all [of] blue.
Exo 39:23  And [there was] an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon [Definition: a coat of mail or corselet], [with] a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
Exo 39:24  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, [and] twined [linen].
Exo 39:25  And they made bells [of] pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
Exo 39:26  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister [in]; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:27  And they made coats [of] fine linen [of] woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
Exo 39:28  And a mitre [of] fine linen, and goodly bonnets [of] fine linen, and linen breeches [of] fine twined linen,
Exo 39:29  And a girdle [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, [of] needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:30  And they made the plate of the holy crown [of] pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, [like to] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exo 39:31  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

Everything inside the tabernacle is to be covered with “a cloth of blue”

Num 4:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Num 4:2  Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
Num 4:3  From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 4:4  This [shall be] the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, [about] the most holy things:
Num 4:5  And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Num 4:6  And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over [it] a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Num 4:7  And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
Num 4:8  And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
Num 4:9  And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
Num 4:10  And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [it] upon a bar.
Num 4:11  And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue , and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
Num 4:12  And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put [them] in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put [them] on a bar:
Num 4:13  And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
Num 4:14  And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, [even] the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it.
Num 4:15  And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Moses and Aaron were both of the family of the Kohathites. So Korah and all of those working closest to Moses and Aaron were to be those of their own family who were closest to them. And yet they were not allowed to even touch the holy things.

This is all concerned with doctrine:

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein .
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Blue is the color of rulership

Est 8:15  And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

The negative application of blue

The blue of Egypt is not the blue which represents the rulership of the spirit over the flesh. The blue of Egypt is the rulership of the flesh in those who claim to be God’s rulers but are not:

Jer 10:8  But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Jer 10:9  Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Eze 27:7  Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

So blue, too, has a negative application and is, as with all things pertaining to God and righteousness, counterfeited by the Adversary.

We have seen that the color blue is used many times in conjunction with the colors purple and scarlet, and this combination of colors covers all of the curtains of the tabernacle. When this is the case, blue is almost always mentioned first, followed by purple and scarlet is last. We have seen that blue is peculiar to the tabernacle. We saw that it is blue that is used to hold the tabernacle together and to make it “one tabernacle.” We have seen that blue is used time and again to “bind together” God’s tabernacle, the gold plate on the mitre, the breastplate to the ephod, etc. We have seen that blue is peculiar to the vessels of service and the implements of service of the tabernacle, which are stored all on blue cloths while in transit. We saw that those who work with blue are teachers, and finally we have been shown that blue has to do with the priesthood and rulership.

Knowing what is the true tabernacle and the true priesthood tells those with eyes to see and ears to hear, that when we see the color blue, we are talking about the things of the spirit and of heavenly things, of “the heavens themselves.” Blue refers to what is in the hearts and minds of God’s elect.

[Here is the next study in this series.]