Exodus 28:2 "Holy garments ... for glory and for beauty".

Apart from these garments Aaron could not carry out his duties as priest. They represent the glory and the beauty of Jesus who, in heaven, displays all the beauty of eternal love and of a human life of perfect obedience. He is seen as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8 ). Six pieces made up Aaron's garments (Exodus 28 ).

Described in Exodus 28:15-29. Probably mentioned first in verse 4 because it was the breastplate of judgment, and the most precious part of all his garments. The costly, glittering stones were set in four rows according to the number of the tribes of Israel, and the names of the tribes were inscribed on them (Exodus 28:21 ). As Aaron carried all the people (in symbol) on his heart, Christ Jesus our High Priest, carries all His people in reality in His heart.

Hebrews 7:25 "... He always lives to make intercession for them."

Interestingly the high priest could not take off the breastplate without stripping himself of the garment of glory - showing that if the Lord casts away people He casts away His own glory as the redeeming Son of God. The stones were different colours but were all one in the breastplate. So His people differ in gifts and spheres of usefulness, but they are all alike near to Christ's heart and are one in Him.

They were connected with the breastplate and the ephod. In each shoulder strap six names of six tribes of Israel were engraved on them - pointing to the fact that the Lord's people are not only on His heart but on the shoulders of their Mediator Lord. They are in the place of strength. Isaiah points out the government will be upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6 ). Jesus promised,

John 14:3 "... where I am, there you may be also."

What a privilege to share the government and authority of the Lord of Glory. Taking the order of verse 4, consider the next piece of the garments.

Description given in (Exodus 28:5-14 ). Made of the same material as the veil. The gold of divine glory - the blue of royalty - the purple of power - the scarlet of cleansing - the fine linen of righteousness, showing the fivefold qualities of our Lord's priesthood. There was a woven band, an ornamental belt (Exodus 28:8 ) that held the ephod to the body. This girdle speaks of service, even clothed in robes 'for glory and beauty'. The glorified Lord is still in the attitude of serving.

Revelation 1:13 "... girded about the chest with a golden band."

Exodus 28:31 "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue."

Worn by the high priest alone - speaking of the Kingly divinity of Jesus our great High Priest. Attached to the robe at its skirt were "golden bells" and "pomegranates" (Exodus 28:34,35 ). When the high priest was in the Holy of Holies and not visible, the people knew he was alive by hearing the bells ringing through his movements (Exodus 28:35 ). Our High Priest Christ Jesus has entered by ascension, the Holy of Holies - the sound of the bells of new tongues, utterances of the Holy Spirit through baptized believers (Acts 2:4 ) prove the baptizer Jesus is alive in the power of an endless life. The pomegranates speak of the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of His people (Galatians 5:22-23 ), bearing witness to the living Christ in His people by the indwelling Spirit of God.

Described in verse 39. This was worn by all the priests. It was white, speaking of the perfect righteousness of Christ. Without the imputed righteousness of Christ none can serve in holy things. This coat of fine white linen had its sash of woven work. This girdle of fine white linen speaks of service. All His people, like their Lord, are to be about doing good.

Exodus 28:36-39 give the description. All the priests had the white turban (Exodus 28:40 ). The high priest had the plate of gold on which was engraved "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (Exodus 28:36 ). The high priest's official holiness enabled him to present the imperfect offerings (holy things Exodus 28:38 ) to God acceptably. Jesus our perfect High Priest and Intercessor is able, through His own perfection to offer our imperfect sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and deeds of service acceptably to God.

Literally lights and perfections. These stones were either set in the breastplate in the same way as the twelve precious stones (Exodus 28:17 ), or placed in two pockets in the breastplate. What the Urim and Thummim were we cannot tell. The suggestion that they were stones of some sort is most likely to be correct. They were closely connected with the priesthood. (Ezra 2:63 ). They were in some way connected with guidance or a Yes/No answer from the Lord in ascertaining His will. It may be that the Urim flashed miraculously, giving the breastplate its name of judgment - they made decisions, a clear Yes or No. (Examples Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:6 ). Because of our ascended, glorified Lord we have the abiding, filling Holy Spirit who is our guide.

Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Was the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:4,15-20 ) figurative of Christ's righteousness and faith's righteousness (Isaiah 59:7; Ephesians 6:14 )?
   • Of what were the jewels representative?
   • What is Christ your High Priest doing for you (Hebrews 7:25 )?

2. Do you appreciate the typical significance of the names of the tribes being engraved on the two shoulder straps of the breastplate (Exodus 28:11-12; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:3 )?

3. As the ephod (Exodus 28:5-14 ) was made of the same material as the veil, what do the colours blue - purple - scarlet linen signify?
   • What is the meaning of the ornamental belt that held the ephod to the body (Exodus 28:8; Revelation 1:13 )?

4. What was worn by the high priest alone (Exodus 28:31 ) what was attached to the robe at its skirt (Exodus 28:34,35 )?
   • What purpose did the bells have?
   • What did the bells of new tongues proclaim (Acts 2:4 )?
   • In your life as a believer priest, do you manifest the equivalent of the pomegranates (Galatians 5:22-23 )?

5. What did all the priests have to wear (Exodus 28:39 )?
   • What does the tunic symbolise (Exodus 28:39 ) without which you nor anyone can serve in holy things?
   • Are you girded with righteousness for service?

6. What distinguished the white turban of the high priest (Exodus 28:36-39 )?
   • You may not wear the turban or the words, but do you order your life as set apart to the Lord?

7. What do you think the Urim and Thumim were (Exodus 28:30 )?
   • By whom are you guided (Romans 8:14 )?