EXODUS 28
40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him. – Exodus 28:40-43
EXODUS 28 GARMENTS FOR PRIESTS
In this account, God specified special garments for Aaron and his sons. They were to have coats, sashes and caps. God wanted them to have a symbol of his glory and beauty. Sadly, we see some denominations that miss the symbol of these priestly garments. It was to remind them that they are God’s special chosen members of his people. They were to be the intercessor for the people. They were to wear linen undergarments. Linen was symbolic of purity. They were supposed to wear them when they go inside the tent of meeting or when they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place. This was a requirement for them to follow, including the following generations of priests.
In Matthew 22, at the wedding feast, someone came to the wedding without a wedding garment and he was confronted by the king. The king ordered him to be taken and thrown into the darkness where there was gnashing of teeth. Just like proper wedding garments in a wedding feast, believers are also expected to wear purity in order to be part of the wedding feast that Jesus and his people will participate in. Also, in Ephesians 6, we are reminded to wear the armor of God at all times and on every occasion. This way, we will never be defeated by the tactics of the devil. In Revelations 16:15, God’s people are warned to keep on their garments all the time as they wouldn’t know when Jesus would come, like a thief in the night. The priests were anointed, ordained and consecrated. To anoint is to apply the sacred oil on the head. To consecrate according to a commentary by Morgan signifies the perfect equipment of the anointed to discharge his ministry. Sanctify means to literally make clean.
REFLECTION
· How are these priestly garments applicable to all believers?
