I used the book These Are The Garments by C. W. Slemming along with this study.
God calls Aaron and his sons to minister in the priests office, Exodus 28:1-3- 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. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 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.
There is only one High Priest, and yet there are many priests. Jesus Christ is the one and only Great High Priest, and yet He calls us to help him in this ministry. Revelation 1:4-6- John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Just as the priests could not fulfill their calling without the high priest, even so, we cannot fulfill our calling without the Lord Jesus Christ. We work together to show God's grace to others.
There is much detail given about the Priests garments. So there must be meaning to it. The main parts of the garments are listed in Leviticus 8:7-9- 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. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. Slemmer points out that the dress of the priests will typify the character of the believer. Our outward appearance tells a little about us- a policeman, a fireman, a business man all wear certain suits that tell you about them before you ever talk to them. The Priests garments were the same. They allowed you to know from a distance that these were separated unto God for a particular service. We as Christians should be the same.
The garments were not an afterthought. They were made by the same people who helped to make the temple. They matched in color and beauty. God does things in harmony, never discord. His people should worship in harmony with the Bible. The Bible and the world are in discord, so adopting the world's traits, music, bibles, personalities, dress, etc. into the church is not God's will for his Bride. She must be as unique and beautiful as the Lord Jesus Christ is upon His throne- holy and harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, wise, righteous, and full of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
The High Priest wore all of the garments, however the regular priests only wore the coat. Once a year, the High Priest, on the great day of atonement, went in to the Holiest of Holies to put the blood on the mercy seat. Hebrews 9:7- But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: This is a picture of Christ removing His Diety and putting on the robes of human flesh. He came down to earth at the time appointed and offered himself as was prophesied by Abraham on the Mount Moriah- And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. in Genesis 22:8.
On the day of atonement, the High Priest had two goats. One was offered for a sin offering for the people, and the other was let loose in the wilderness, known as the scapegoat. Christ was offered as the sin offering for the people, while Barabas was let go, as the scapegoat.
The veil of the Temple was rent in twain showing that the separation between God and man had been dissolved. When Christ rose, He took His blood to the mercy seat in heaven. Hebrews 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: John 20:17- Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Having accomplished his eternal atonement, He put back on the robes of Diety, which He will never remove again. Hebrews 10:12- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
THE COAT
The coat was made of fine linen and was embroidered. At a glance, this coat may have appeared to be similar to other garments, but when examined closely, you would see a skill and beauty attached.
Christ, at a distance, would seem to be another ordinary Jewish man. And yet upon closer examination, one would see that he was no ordinary person. In fact, the words of the men around him would show us what was seen- Pilate- no fault (Luke 23:4), Pilate's wife- just man (Matthew 27:19), Judas Iscariot- innocent blood (Matthew 27:4), The Thief- nothing amiss (Luke 23:41), The Centurion- Righteous man (Luke 23:47), Simon Peter- Holy One (Acts 3:14), The Martyr Stephen- Just One (Acts 7:52), and Paul- without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Worked into the human frame of Jesus was the Son of God!
Coats were to clothe, to hide or cover. When Adam and Eve sinned, God made them coats of skin (Genesis 3:21). NOTE: skin is singular, meaning that one sacrifice was able to cover them both! Adam attempted to cover their nakedness with leaves, and when this didn't work he attempted to hide behind trees. Only the blood can cover sin, and Adam found that it was only through the blood of another that this could be accomplished.
The coat was the priests only garment. The High Priest, however, wore this as an undergarment. As Christians, and sons of God, we have been covered with His blood- Isaiah 61:10a- 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, The coat was put on the moment the priest was washed! We are clothed in Christ's righteousness the moment we accept His death for our sins and are saved!
THE GIRDLE
The girdle was attached to the coat. The girdle symbolizes service. Ephesians 6:14- Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; The priest must be ready to serve the people. This is not the curious girdle, but a part of the undergarments, girding the loins. The girdle is not something that is seen by the outward person. It is a personal attitude of the heart that is viewed by God alone. He sees our willingness to serve, even when it is hidden from those around us.
Christ, himself, wears a girdle of righteousness and faithfulness in Isaiah 11:4-5- But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
THE ROBE OF THE EPHOD
This is the first of the garments that is for the High Priest alone. It is also the first time the word "robe" appears in the Bible. While the coat is for a covering, the robe is a symbol of authority or position, many times being retained for royalty. Matthew 27:28-29- And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! A Christian who is called to a position of authority should respect the office and should be respected because of the office.
Nothing is said about what material is used to make up the robe. All of the emphasis is on the color- blue. A blue sky is a peaceful thing. John 1:17 says For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. In fact, blue was found all throughout the tabernacle. If blue represents grace, then we see here that grace is everywhere in the church. This is confirmed by Paul in I Corinthians 15:10- But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Our work for Christ cannot be without grace.
This robe was a seamless, blue work. It represents the fabric of the Son of God- an endless work of royalty. Even though He was found in fashion as a man, He was still God! His life truly has no beginning or ending, seamless.
Exodus 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. It had the strength of an armoured coat of mail. It cannot be torn off the High Priest. People back in Jesus time, as people today do, tried to tear His divinity from Him. It was always being questioned. His divine grace is not a weak and broken question, but an unrendable quality!
This garment had adornment of bells and pomegranates all the way around the bottom of it.
THE POMEGRANATES
The pomegranates were made of blue, purple and scarlet, and were set between the bells. Pomegranates grew in Canaan, not in Egypt. We are told to walk in the Sprit, not in the flesh. And we are told to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit- Galatians 5:22-23- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. We can only grow this fruit by walking in the Spirit.
THE BELLS
The bells were between the pomegranates. This tinkling sound could be heard everywhere the High Priest walked. Since God is not a God of discord, we can theorize that the sound was a harmonious one. The tinkling would ring out and the people would know that the priest was alive an making intercession for their sins. Hebrews 7:25- 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. The Bible is where we find this harmonious promise. When we keep in the Word, we can clearly hear the bells of truth ringing in our hearts.
THE CURIOUS GIRDLE
The curious girdle is joined only on the shoulders and is united to the breastplate and the ephod. The colors are gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. These colors are mentioned 24 times in the book of Exodus, and always in this order.
Exodus 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 gold was woven into the material as a part of it. It wasn't just a decoration on the outside. Gold is a metal that will stand the test of time. Nothing will alter gold; not acid, not fire, these only purify it. It can be melted countless times without ruining it.
Christ can be typified by gold. Hebrews 1:11-12- They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. He became a man, lived in a sinful world, endured the cross, rose from the dead, and yet he remained the same, precious, holy God He was before all this happened, and He will be the same holy God after this world ends. Time and circumstance don't change Him.
Blue is next. Blue and gold together signify diety and royalty. I covered blue when talking about the robe of the ephod. The same applied here.
Blue and scarlet are a contrast to each other, but blending them together is the lovely color purple, a mixture of the two.
Scarlet is red. It is the color of the earth. Adam means "red earth"; Esau was a hairy red man and was a man of the earth who sold his birthright for red lentils. Blood is red, and the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).
Christ stepped from his heavenly throne into an earthly body. From the sinless throne of God to the sinful dust of flesh. Such an amazing contrast until we consider the blend of the purple.
Just like purple is a blend of blue and scarlet, Christ is a blend of God and man. As God, he satisfies the claims of God. As man, he meets the needs of humanity. But as purple, he can join the two together! Hebrews 2:17-18- Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
The colors blend together to give us a beautiful picture of what the High Priest was suppose to be. A mediator, an arbiter, the middle man who could enter into the feelings and understanding of both parties and come to a satisfying conclusion to the matter.
This curious girdle was also to strengthen the loins and help man in a strenuous walk. All these things are bound to him- Leviticus 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. A reputation can be changed, but character is a part of you, it is who you really are. And we should be so bound in Christ's will that it's His character that people see in us!
THE BREASTPLATE
We must remember that the ephod, girdle, shoulder-stones, and breastplate were united. The breastplate was called the breastplate of judgment in Exodus 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. It's sole purpose was to hold the urim and thummim by which God gave judgment to Israel. It also bore the names of the 12 tribes of Israel engraved in two onyx stones worn on the shoulders, and 12 gemstones with the names of the tribes of Israel worn in the breastplate.
The breastplate itself was of beaten gold, doubled over, and four-square. It was equal on all four sides. Many of the items of the tabernacle are said to be made four-square. Slemmer summarizes that this means without partiality, showing no favoritism, and able to redeem equally.
The breastplate was to cover the breast, which is the symbol of affection and love. John 13:1- Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
The breastplate was attached by rings, chains, and laces. There were six rings which attached the breastplate to the ephod just above the curious girdle and to the shoulder-stones above. The rings were laces of blue fastening the breastplate rings to o the rings of the ephod. These again were gold (diety) and blue (royalty). The God of judgment requires holiness and justice.
The same blue border was added to the bottom of the Jews clothing in Numbers 15:38-39 so that they would remember God's commandments.
Is it possible that this ribbon of blue was what the woman with the issue of blood touched when she reached out to Jesus? If so, then this ribbon would also symbolize grace.
The twelve stones were set in order- because God is a God of order. I Corinthians 14:40- Let all things be done decently and in order. The stones were sardius, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, ligure, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper which corresponded with the twelve tribes- Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.
The two onyx stones on the shoulders bore the names of the twelve tribes including Levi in the order of their birth. So Joseph is listed instead of Manasseh and Ephraim.
The shoulder-stones were according to birth, yet the precious stones were according to tribe. The tribal order is recorded in Numbers 10. God has a place for every man and He desires that every man be in his place.
The birth of the 12 children of Jacob was never a question. Everyone knew who was the firstborn and who was the last. Everyone knew who were the 12 sons of Jacob.
But, as far as their position in the family went, their service and rewards were different. Romans 12:4-6a- 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. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, The variety of stones in the breastplate were different. There weren't any identical. Even though they were all different, they all made up one breastplate. There is one thing that is similar about these stones- they were all precious!
The order, as far as why, is known only to God. However, we can surmise:
Reuben may have lost first place because of his sin in Genesis 49:4- he slept with his father's concubine. He was also called unstable. Many Christians lose blessing because of this point, James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. They cannot be depended upon when needed because they go by feelings or conveniences.
Judah may have been placed by God because he owned up to his sin with Tamar (Genesis 38). It could also be because God's foreknowledge of the kingly line would descend from Judah that He placed him first.
The Urim And The Thummim
Exodus 38:30- 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 Bible states about the Urim and the Thummim, but never describes what they are. There is much speculation as to their appearance. There is a good possibility that they were some type of stones, since Christ is called the "rock". Slemming surmises that they were a white and a black stone. Though, I don't have scripture enough to settle on that conclusion myself.
The words- "Urim" means light and "Thummim" means perfection. The Urim and the Thummim were used to asked God for guidance. I Samuel 28:6- And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
The means of using the Urim and the Thummim can be related today to the Bible and Prayer. II Timothy 3:16-17- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. And Philippians 4:6-7- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. With Hebrews 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.
The Mitre
Exodus 28:36-38- And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 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. 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.
The High Priest wore the mitre, but the priests only wore bonnets (Exodues 28:39-40). The headdresses were made of fine linen like the coats.
Slemming points out 2 reasons for the headdress. First, is that white hair represents wisdom and maturity- Proverbs 16:31- The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. And Second, that a covered head is a reflection of submission- I Corinthians 11:5- But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Women should have long hair to signify that they are submissive to their husbands. Unholy men must approach God in a manner that respects his dignity and authority. Slemming leaves it at that.
I believe that the mitre was there to encourage others to want to know the mind of God in the matter. The words "Holiness to the Lord" were engraven on the headpiece. I think the Lord was wanting the High Priest to remember all the laws and commandments- Leviticus 20:7-8- Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I a] the LORD which sanctify you. God wanted them to be "frontlets between their eyes" (Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18).
This piece of the mitre is called the "holy crown" by Slemming. He says that it is on the forehead which is the seat of intellect and personal will. Jeremiah 3:3- Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. This forehead was one of adultery and rebellion. Ezekiel 3:8- Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. The forehead shows the determination and will of a man. Revelation 17:5- And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Their stubbornness and sin is quite literally written across their faces.
When King Uzziah though himself righteous enough to perform the office of a priest in II Chronicles 26, the Lord smote him with leprosy in his forehead. Each time he saw his reflection, he saw the judgment of the Lord on his pride, arrogance, and self will.
The Breeches
Exodus 28:42-43- And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: 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. This garment was common to both High Priest and priest, and it was essential for both offices.
Much of idol worship contained sensual context. God did not want his worship confused with that of the idol religions around them. God wants modesty and decency. Worship must be according as God described or it would result in death (Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10). We should not only do what God requires, but also how God requires it!
Holiness in heart (coat). Holiness in service (girdle). Holiness in judgment (breastplate). Holiness in thought and control (mitre). Holiness in adornment or dress (breeches).
Galatians 5:19-21- Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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. Paul tells us of the works of the flesh and how they will hinder our inheritance! Romans 7:18a- For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: Works done in the flesh are done for self, no matter how religious.
Not only will we be judged for our works, but we will be judged for how we help or hinder the brethren. Romans 14:7- For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. And we are warned of Paul not to put stumbling blocks in front of the brethren. I Corinthians 8:9, 12- But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
The Typology
Slemming ends his study with the breeches, but I want to look at the typology as a whole. We know that the tabernacle was a picture of heavenly things (Hebrews 8 and 9).
Revelation 1:10, 12-16 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Christ is described wearing something that seems very similar to the High Priest's garments.
Daniel 7:9- I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. The Ancient of Days has a white garment and white hair.
Revelation 19:11-16- And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Christ is described in this passage in a different manner.
If we put all these together, we see that Christ is clothed in a white robe that goes all the way to his feet with a golden girdle and a vesture (dipped in blood) with King Of Kings and Lord of Lords written on it. He also has white hair with many crowns on his head, it seems that the crown has a name written on it. I believe that it would look very similar to the High Priests garments.
NOTE: The saints who follow him are in white robes, which would be us!
Seeing how particular and holy our God is, we should strive to live as separated as we can from the world, putting into action the admonition of Paul- I Timothy 6:13-16- I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
