“And thou shalt make ouches of gold;”
The High Priest’s Garments:Exodus 28 outlines the garments that the high priest, Aaron, and his sons were to wear during their priestly duties. These garments were to be made with great care and craftsmanship, as they held symbolic and spiritual significance.
The Breastplate:In verses 9 to 12 of Exodus 28, God instructs Moses to make the breastplate of judgment for the high priest. This breastplate was to be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads, and fine twined linen. It was a rectangular piece of fabric folded in half to form a pocket, and it contained twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Ouches of Gold:The term “ouches” used in the KJV refers to settings or mountings. In verse 13, God instructs Moses to make settings of gold to hold the precious stones in place on the breastplate.
Symbolic Meaning:The breastplate was not merely a decorative element but held spiritual significance as well. The stones in the breastplate symbolized the people of Israel, and Aaron, as the high priest, would bear their names upon his heart whenever he entered the Holy Place. This was a representation of his intercessory role before God on behalf of the people.
Spiritual Lessons:The gold used in the ouches and the breastplate represents the purity and divine nature of God. It symbolizes His holiness and His presence among His chosen people. The fact that these precious stones were set in gold emphasizes the preciousness and value of God’s people in His sight.
Application:While the specific instructions in Exodus 28:13 pertain to the construction of the priestly garments for the Old Testament priesthood, we can draw some spiritual lessons from this passage. As believers in Christ, we are considered a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), and just as the high priest carried the names of the tribes on his heart, Jesus, our High Priest, carries us in His heart as well. He intercedes for us before the Father (Hebrews 7:25) and represents us before God’s throne.
