How to Come Into God's Presence!
As God appointed Aaron as the High Priest, who came into God's presence as an intermediary for the Israelites, we see a foreshadowing of the ministry of Christ, the Great High priest. The various items Aaron put on his body point to Jesus' role in mediation between God and man.
1. Breastplate with the names of the sons of Israel. - Jesus was the breastplate of righteousness, who wrote down all of his sons and daughter's names in the book of life.
2. The Urim and Thummin. These were put into the breastplate and traditionally used as a source of divination. They could mean "yes" or "no", and similar to casting lots, they were used in decision making. Also, they were used to determine who was a sinner in their midst. We know Jesus was the wisdom of God, and judged the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit plays this role in a believer's life.
3. The robe with gold bells and pomegranates. They signify the covering over the high priest to ensure he would not die. The robe was also seen as a covering God gave him to protect him when he was in His presence. In the same way believers are given white robes in Revelation as a symbol that they have been washed by the Lamb of God. Though their sins are like scarlet, Jesus has made them as white as snow.
4. The gold plate on Aaron's turban/forehead. It has a seal engraved on it which says, "holy to The Lord". This will be used to bear the guilt when the people make sacrifices, so they are acceptable to The Lord. When we baptize children and adults, we mark them with the sign of the cross and say, "you are a child of God marked by the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever."
We can see how all of the details of how God brought the Israelites into relationship with Himself reach their fulfillment in Christ. We can now come into God's through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is an experience the Jews would have have found unacceptable and unimaginable. But shows God desire to be in relationship with us by sending His only Son. Amen.
Exodus 28:29-38
29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.
Other Priestly Garments
31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[a] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.
36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.
1. Breastplate with the names of the sons of Israel. - Jesus was the breastplate of righteousness, who wrote down all of his sons and daughter's names in the book of life.
2. The Urim and Thummin. These were put into the breastplate and traditionally used as a source of divination. They could mean "yes" or "no", and similar to casting lots, they were used in decision making. Also, they were used to determine who was a sinner in their midst. We know Jesus was the wisdom of God, and judged the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit plays this role in a believer's life.
3. The robe with gold bells and pomegranates. They signify the covering over the high priest to ensure he would not die. The robe was also seen as a covering God gave him to protect him when he was in His presence. In the same way believers are given white robes in Revelation as a symbol that they have been washed by the Lamb of God. Though their sins are like scarlet, Jesus has made them as white as snow.
4. The gold plate on Aaron's turban/forehead. It has a seal engraved on it which says, "holy to The Lord". This will be used to bear the guilt when the people make sacrifices, so they are acceptable to The Lord. When we baptize children and adults, we mark them with the sign of the cross and say, "you are a child of God marked by the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever."
We can see how all of the details of how God brought the Israelites into relationship with Himself reach their fulfillment in Christ. We can now come into God's through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is an experience the Jews would have have found unacceptable and unimaginable. But shows God desire to be in relationship with us by sending His only Son. Amen.
Exodus 28:29-38
29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.
Other Priestly Garments
31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[a] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.
36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.
Comments
Post a Comment