“And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod.”
Context:Exodus 29 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests in the Tabernacle, the portable place of worship for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. God gives specific instructions to Moses regarding the rituals and ceremonies that must be performed to ordain the priesthood.
Verse Analysis:“And thou shalt take the garments”: Moses is instructed to take the special priestly garments that were previously described in Exodus 28. These garments were made with specific materials and had symbolic significance, representing the holiness and dignity of the priestly office.
“and put upon Aaron the coat”: The first garment to be put on Aaron was the linen coat or tunic. This tunic was made of fine linen and was a simple, white garment, signifying purity and righteousness.
“and the robe of the ephod”: The next garment was the robe of the ephod, which was a seamless, blue robe worn over the tunic. The ephod was a vest-like garment with shoulder pieces, and it had an embroidered design representing the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the priest’s role in representing the people before God.
“and the ephod”: This refers to the ephod itself, which was a prominent part of the high priest’s attire. It was made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, along with finely twisted linen. The ephod held the breastplate in place and was worn over the robe.
“and the breastplate”: The breastplate was a significant piece of the high priest’s clothing, containing twelve precious stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. It was fastened to the ephod and was a symbol of the priest’s responsibility to bear the names of the tribes before God and seek His guidance and judgment.
“and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod”: The final step in dressing Aaron as a priest was to put on him the skillfully woven belt or girdle, made of the same materials as the ephod. This belt held the ephod and the breastplate in place and symbolized the priest’s readiness for service and ministry.
Spiritual Significance:
- Holiness and Sanctification:The process of dressing Aaron in these garments symbolises the consecration and sanctification of the priests. It teaches us that those who serve God must be set apart and purified for holy service.
- Representation:The priestly garments, especially the ephod and breastplate, represented the priest’s role as a mediator between God and the people. It reminds us of Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us before God.
- Christological Connection:The high priest’s garments find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He is the true High Priest who offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, and He continues to intercede for believers in heaven.
- The Priesthood of Believers:While the Old Testament priesthood was reserved for a select group of individuals, the New Testament teaches that all believers are now part of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). We are called to be holy and set apart for God’s service, just like the priests in the Old Testament.
Conclusion:Exodus 29:5 teaches us about the special garments that Aaron, the high priest, was to wear during his consecration. These garments hold significant spiritual meaning, pointing to the holiness of God, the representation of the people before God, and the ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to live as a holy priesthood, serving God and interceding for others in the name of Jesus.
