Exodus 28:36-38, “You shall make a plate
of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, 'Holy to the
LORD.' (37) And you shall fasten it on the turban by a
cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. (38)
It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the
holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall
regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.”
Exodus 28 is devoted to the priestly garments, with very precise
instructions given. Though at first appearance it may seem to be a lengthy
chapter filled only with instructions, there is in fact a great deal that could
be drawn out of it. From the perfection and beauty of the complete garment,
being a reflection of the beauty and perfection of God. The twelve precious
stones mounted on to the breastplate with the names of the twelve tribes
inscribed on these stones. This breastplate was put on over the heart of the
priest, and could be seen as a symbol of how God had drawn the people of Israel
near to His own heart, that He has poured out His love upon them and that they
had a special position.
There are other elements that we could draw out, but there is one that
stands out amongst them, and it is recorded in the verses above. A plate of
pure gold, on which the words, “Holy to the LORD” were carved, was to be placed
on the turban, which was then placed on Aaron’s head. This was to remind Aaron
that God was holy, it was to remind the people that God was holy, and it was to
remind them that if they desired to have fellowship with God, then holiness was
required. God could not be approached in any other manner. It is also taught
them that Aaron is consecrated by God, separated to serve as a mediator between
God and man. Therefore, as one chosen by God, set apart and consecrated by God
for this work, he is to be regarded as holy to the LORD. This did not mean that
Aaron was sinless, for he himself had to offer up sacrifices for his own sin.
More importantly, Aaron was to function as the sin-bearer who sought
to make atonement on behalf of the people before God. He would take these
offerings for sin, from sinful people, and then place it on the altar, on
behalf of the sinful person, and make atonement for them. In this sense Aaron
would bear their sin, for he would take their offering, confessing their sin
and place that sin upon the offering and then sacrifice it on the altar.
This serves as a shadow of Christ, who would become the great
sin-bearer, he took our sin and then offered himself up as a sacrifice for our
sin, making atonement for it. What makes Christ so much better than Aaron and
any other high priest after him, is that Christ did not need to be made holy,
he did not need to make any sacrifices for himself; Christ was holy, pure and
guiltless. Therefore Christ offers up a sacrifice that is sufficient to take
away our sin, once and for all. As a result of this, we who believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ, are now regarded as holy to the LORD, we have been cleansed by
Christ’s sacrificial blood, justified and counted as righteous. This then means
that we have direct access to God, we no longer need a human priest, we no
longer need sacrifices. Christ serves as our High Priest and leads us daily
into the presence of God.
Lord Jesus our faithful and great High
Priest, we thank You today for the work that You performed on our behalf. Thank
You that You were willing to sacrifice Your life, so that now we might be
counted as being holy to the LORD. Thank You, that through Your priestly work
we can have full and constant access to the very throne of God. May You receive
the adoration and the glory in our lives today, as we live and walk in Your
grace. Amen.
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