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hands upon the sacrifice and confessing their sin. The blood upon the tip of right ear, suggests openness to hear God’s voice. The thumb of the right hand—suggests power. Without the thumb the sword, the spear, the bow, could not be handled. The things handled—even of this world—are to bé for Him. The great toe-—no walk to be followed in which blood-anointed feet could not walk. We are to walk in love, light, liberty—the way of righteous ness. Both oil and blood were used in the anointing (Lev. 8:30). The oil was specially made—holy oil. Could only be used as God directed—a type of thé Holy Spirit. Aaron was anointed before bloody sacrifice; his sons after. The vessels and priests were sprinkled. Everything to be anointed—all service and servants. To appear before God the high priest must be without sin—cleansed. Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, was without Sin. All spiritual blessings come through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Thesè priests passed away and others took their places, but Christ liveth forevermore (Heb, 7:24, 25) “ But t h is m a n , becau se h e con tinueth forever, pr ies th o o d . I W h er ef o re , h e i s ab le a ls o t o sa th em to the utt er m ost t ha t c o m e u n to G o d b y h im , ev er li v e t h to m ak e int er ce ssi on for t h em .” hat ch ange able
The Curious Girdle of the Ephod was of the same ma terial as the ephod, and evidently of the same piece of cloth (Ex. 39:5). The high priest appeared before God, bearing the names of all Israel upon his shoulders, alike in brilliancy. Glory appertains to all—a birthright privilege—all have a right there. This is a beautiful type of Jesus. He» alone, could bear us >upon His shoulders (Isa. 9:6). The government of the entire redeemed host is upon Him. -He is our surety (Heb. 7:22). We may lean hard upon Him (Isa. 46:,4). (5) The Breastplate (Ex. 28:15, 29). It was of the same material as the ephod, and attached to it. It contained twelve stones, arranged in four rows (three stones in each row), differing from the order of names on the shoulder. It was fastened by a blue lacing to two rings on the lower corners, and two corresponding rings just above the girdle, and on the shoulders by golden chains passing through golden rings and secured to the shoulder fittings. The breast-plate was always upon the breast, united to the shoulder—a type of the strength and love of Jesus Christ, united in behalf of us (Mai. 3:17). ( 6 ) The Urim and Thummim, the Breast-plates of Judgment (Ex. 28:30). There are many opinions and theories as to the nature of this. Some say it consisted of three stones, one “yes,” one “no” and one blank. Others think that it was a gold plate on which was engraved “Jehovah,” the letters of the name furnishing the answers. But where the Scriptures are silent, i t 'is wise to wait for fuller revelation. It is enough to know that through the Urim and Thummim God promised to answer. It was worn on solemn occasions (Lev. 8 : 8 ; Num. 27: This was of fine white linen, bound in cords. Fastened to it was a golden plate (Ex. 28:36-38). The twofold as pect of the work of Christ was thus typed: As High Priest, He obtains peace for us; as King, He maintains‘it. The throne and temple thus united.1; (Rev. 7 :i5 ). ' ’ ; The golden crown suggdSfs kingiy distinction’ and sep aration. Holiness of character'is required'* 6 f those'who draw near to God on behalf of others. God recognized holi ness in the high priest who represented Israel. The Anti christ will wear mitre and crown, but they shall be taken from him, and given to Christ. H. THE ORDER OF CONSECRATION. (1) “Take Aaron and his sons” (28:1) We are called of God. This typifies the new birth. (2) “Bring them to the door” (29:4) Our High Priest (Jesus Christ) has been brought again from the dead. We are brought nigh by the blood of Christ. (3) “Wash them with water” (29:4) The Word of God reveals the blood of Christ as the cleansing flood which, when applied by the Holy Spirit, makes us clean every whit (Eph. 5:25, 26; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22). (4) They were robed—first, Aaron; then, his sons (29:5) Thus being clothed with the righteousness of God. (5) Touched with blood (Ex. 29:19). The whole round- of offerings was then made for them, commencing with the sin offering,—Aaron and his sons laying their
Vs. 1-12 In Chapter 28 we have the robes, and in Chap ter 29 we have the sacrifices. The former have more es pecial reference to the need of the people; the latter, to the claims of God. The robes express the varied functions and qualities of the priestly office. COMMENTS “The ephod” was the great priestly FROM THE robe. It was inseparably connected COMMENTARIES with the shoulder-pieces and the breast- V. V. Morgan plate, teaching us, very distinctly, that the strength of the priest’s shoulder, and the affections of the priest’s heart, were wholly devoted to the interests of those whom he represented, and on whose behalf he wore the ephod—that special priestly robe. This which was typified in Aaron is actualized in Christ. His omnipotent strength and infinite love are ours -—our eternally—our unquestionably. The shoulder which sustains the universe, upholds the feeblest and most ob scure member of the blood-bought congregation. The heart of Jesus beats with an undying affection, with an everlasting and all-enduring love for the most neglected member of the redeemed assembly.—C. H. M. V. 15. Is not the idea here, that the intercession of the priest rested on purity and righteousness? The breast plate that met the eyes of God, and on which; the names of the children of Israel were written, was of white, and gold and bfeauty. wThe intercession of Christ is basediln wisdom and righteousness. The holiness of God, the holiness of ti»o law, the holiness of heaven, are fully recognized and guaranteed.—-Horn. Com. V. 21 Each tribe particularized. And must we not con clude that the individual jewels for the different tribes had a specific meaning? Our great High Priest knows our particular nature, infirmities, temptations, sins, sorrows. He brings us before God in our individual character and need.—Horn. Com. V. 29 Christ bears us on His heart: His Priesthood is full of tenderness and sympathy.—Horn. Com. Vs. 30-35 “Urim and Thummin,” which means “Lights and Perfections.” Seven times they are mentioned: Ex. 28:30; Lev. 8 : 8 ; Num. 27:21; Deut. 33:8; 1 Sam. 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65. In two of these passages only Urim is mentioned «and in Deut. 38:8 Thummin stands first. It is not certain in what the Urim and Thummin consisted. Some think they were two costly stones drawn as a lot in difficult questions. Others think it was one stone which by various scintillations gave an answer from the Lord. Israel did not need to be in darkness about any matter. We pos sess as believers a gift in us to guide and direct our steps; it is the Holy Spirit. He is our Urim and Thummim. The robe of the ephod was entirely blue. Christ is our heavenly highpriest. Bells and pomegranates, the types of testi mony and fruit, were around the robe. “His sound shall be heard when he goeth in.” That happened when He as
21; Deut. 33:8; Ezra 2:63). The words “Urim” and “Thummim” mean “light and perfections,” or “manifesta tion and truth,” being the same words as are used in 2 Cor. 4:2: “ But ha ve re n o u n ce d th e h i d d e n t h in g s o f dish one st y, n o t w a l k i n g ' i n c r a f t in e s s , n o r ha ndling the W o r d o f G o d de ce it fu ll y ; h u t b y m an if es ta ti on o f the tru th co m m en d in g our selv es t o ever y m a n ’s consc ienc e I n th e s i g h t o f G o d .” (7) The Mitre (Ex. 28:39; 39:28).
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