Aug 22
28
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 27:20-29:46
“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.
[28:1] Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. You shall make settings of gold filigree, and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth. You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold. And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD. And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly. You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. 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. You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 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. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 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.
[29:1] Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour. You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, and bring the bull and the two rams. You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put coats on them, and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar. And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. But the flesh of the bull and its skin and its dung you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering. “Then you shall take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar. Then you shall cut the ram into pieces, and wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and its head, and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and take part of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tips of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of their right feet, and throw the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons’ garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him. You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination), and one loaf of bread and one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD. You shall put all these on the palms of Aaron and on the palms of his sons, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. Then you shall take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a pleasing aroma before the LORD. It is a food offering to the LORD. “You shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be your portion. And you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the priests’ portion that is contributed from the ram of ordination, from what was Aaron’s and his sons’. It shall be for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual due from the people of Israel, for it is a contribution. It shall be a contribution from the people of Israel from their peace offerings, their contribution to the LORD. The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him; they shall be anointed in them and ordained in them. The son who succeeds him as priest, who comes into the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place, shall wear them seven days. “You shall take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket in the entrance of the tent of meeting. They shall eat those things with which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration, but an outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy. And if any of the flesh for the ordination or of the bread remain until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy. Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Through seven days shall you ordain them, and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.
[29:38] Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. And with the first lamb a tenth measure of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering. The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it a grain offering and its drink offering, as in the morning, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” (Exodus 27:20–29:46, ESV)
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 5
“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5, ESV)
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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.
Introduction
This large portion of the book of Exodus that we are considering today can be divided into three parts.
Firstly, in Exodus 28 we find instructions for making the garments that the priests of Israel were to wear as they served before the Lord and on behalf of the people in the tabernacle.
Secondly, in Exodus 29:1-37 we find instructions for the consecration, or ordination, of these priests – that is to say, instructions for the ceremonies by which the priests would be appointed to their office.
Thirdly, in 27:20-21 and in 29:38-46 we find instructions concerning the duties of the priests. In brief, they were to tend to the lamp in the holy place in the presence of God, and they were to offer up sacrifices on behalf of the people at the altar, morning and evening.
I wish to approach this text in the same way that I approached the previous one regarding the instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. First, I will address what was to be made or done. After that, I will ask, why? In other words, first we will consider the facts regarding the priesthood of Israel, their garb, their ordination, and their duties. After that we will ask the question, what is the meaning, or significance of these things?
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Priestly Garments
First, let us briefly consider chapter Exodus 28 wherein we find instructions for making what the priests of Israel were to wear. What were the priests of Israel to wear?
In summary, the people of Israel were to make contributions so that skilled craftsmen could make fine garments out of fine material for the priests to wear. These garments were to be crafted in a beautiful and glorious manner. Aaron, and the high priests who served after him ,would be dressed in an especially ornate way. Aaron’s sons, and the priests who would descend from them, would be clothed in special garments too, but with fewer accouterments than worn by the high priest. It is important to remember that the priests of Israel were descendants of Aaron, who was himself of the tribe of Levi. These Levites who descendant from Moses’ brother, Aaron, were set apart to serve the Lord in the tabernacle, and later temple. These were to be clothed in glorious and beautiful garments as they served the Lord in his tabernacle on behalf of the people.
What, in particular, was Aaron to wear? Eight items of clothing are described to us in this passage.
First of all, the priests were to wear undergarments. These are described in 28:42: “You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs…” (Exodus 28:42, ESV). This coraspons to what was said earlier in Exodus concerning worship at altars: “And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’” (Exodus 20:26, ESV). This talk of nakedness and the need for clothing to cover such nakedness should remind us of the account Genesis 3 regarding Adam and Eve’s fall into sin, their awareness of their nakedness, their unsuccessful attempt to clothe themselves, and the Lord graciously clothing Adam and Eve with animal skins. These two stories regarding the clothing of Adam and the clothing of Aaron are related in some way. Both cary this theme: God, by his grace, clothed sinful man so that the shame of their sin might be covered, and so that man might walk before God and not be consumed. Certainly, these earthly things pointed forward to the work that the Messiah would do to make actual atonement for sin and to clothe those who turned from their sins and to him by faith with his righteousness and holiness. I’m getting ahead of myself, here. We will talk about the meaning or significance of these things later. But I would like you to have this connection between Adam, Aaron, and Jesus Christ in your mind from the start.
Secondly, Aaron was to wear a tunic, which in the ESV is translated as “coat”. This tunic, or coat, is mentioned in 28:4, 28:39, 40. Tunics were worn next to the skin. They covered the body, the arms to the wrist, and the legs down to the ankles. Tunics were worn by common people in those days, so they were not unique to the priests of Israel. But the tunics that the high priest and priests were to wear were to be especially fine. They were to be made of fine linen and woven with a checkered pattern.
Thirdly, the priests were to wear a belt, or sash, around their tunic. This sash was to be made with fine material. It would keep the tunic close to the body and would be wrapped around the other items placed over the tunic, which we will consider in just a moment, to hold everything together so that the priest could do his work.
Fourthly, the high priest was to wear a special robe. This robe was unique to the high priest. It was one of the clothing items that would distinguish the high priest from the other priests. This robe was to be all blue. It would fit loosely over the tunic, falling nearly to the ankles. The collar was reinforced to prevent tearing. There were only armholes, no sleeves. And the bottom hem of the robe was to be richly decorated with embroidered pomegranates. Bells were attached between the pomegranates so that the high priest would not only be seen in the tabernacle but also heard.
Fifthly, the high priest was to wear an ephod. This also was unique to the high priest. In 28:6-14 we learn that it was made of five materials: Gold, blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn, and fine linen. It was like a long vest or apron which was draped over the robe. So then, the high priest wore four layers of clothing – undergarments, a white linen tunic, a blue robe that was beautifully adorned with pomegranates and golden bells, and finally an ephod woven together with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. The sash, or belt, would be wrapped around all of this to hold it together.
There is one feature of the ephod that must be mentioned. On the tops of the shoulders were two precious onyx stones set in gold, and these stones were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Isarel, six on the left and six on the right. This served to remind the high priest and all who observed him that he represented all of Israel before God as he ministered in the tabernacle. He carried Israel before the Lord on his shoulders, if you will.
Sixthly, hanging by chains of braided gold from the two onyx stones that were set in gold on the shoulders was a breastpiece. This was called the breastpiece of judgment. It was made of the same material as the ephod with dimensions of 9’ square. The precious cloth was doubled over to form a pouch. On the front of the pouch, twelve precious stones were set in gold, each stone representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In 28:29 we read, “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29, ESV).
It is clear that this beastpiece and the twelve stones that were set into the front of it represented all of Israel. As the high priest entered the holy place, he represented Israel before God. Israel was on his heart if you will. He carried Israel into the tabernacle and made intercession for them before God.
And this breastpiece was called the “breastpiece of judgment” because of what it contained. I mentioned that the breastpiece was a pouch, and contained within the pouch were the Urim and Thummin. 28:30 says, “And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly” (Exodus 28:30, ESV). The word translated as “judgment” here does not refer to the wrath of God, as if Aaron were to absorb the wrath of God, but to the decisions or the declarations of the Lord which were binding on the people. The NET translates this Hebrew word, not as “judgment”, but as “decision”. “You are to put the Urim and the Thummim into the breastpiece of decision; and they are to be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron is to bear the decisions of the Israelites over his heart before the LORD continually” (Exodus 28:30, NET). The NIV says, “Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD” (Exodus 28:30, TNIV). I think these translations capture the meaning well.
There is much that is unknown about these two objects called the Urim and the Thummim, but they seem to have been used in Old Testament times to inquire of the Lord regarding his will in matters of uncertainty. Perhaps they were objects cast as lots before the Lord (see Numbers 27:21, Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65). Whatever they were, these two objects were to be kept within the pouch of the breastpiece of judgment, or decision.
Seventhly, the priests were to wear a turban on their heads. This turban was common to both the high priest and the priests.
Eighthly, a crown or band of gold was to be placed on the forehead of the high priest. This band of gold was unique to the high priest. It was engraved with the words, “Holy to the LORD”. It symbolized the high priest’s authority. This plate also reminded the priest of his office, his responsibilities, and the guilt that he would bear for failing to fulfill his duties.
So now you know how the high priest and the priests of Isarel were to be clothed. The high priest would be clothed with all eight items mentioned. The ordinary priests would be clothed with undergarments, tunics, belts, and turbans. All of these articles of clothing were to be made with the contributions from the people, of precious things, by skilled craftsmen, for glory and for beauty.
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Consecration Ceremony
Now that you know how the priests were to be dressed, I would like to say a few words about how they were to be consecrated or ordained. Exodus 29 tells us all about the consecration of the priests as well as the consecration of the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. I would certainly be possible to devote another sermon to this chapter, but I think I can summarize the text in five points.
One, Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They had to be made ceremonially pure before entering the priesthood. 29:4 speaks of this.
Two, Aaron and his sons were to be clothed with the clothing described above. So then, having been cleansed for the priesthood, they were to be clothed for the priesthood.
Three, Aaron and his sons were to be consecrated with sacrifices. Animal sacrifices, and sacrifices of grain and oil, were to be offered up to the Lord. In this way, the LORD was to be worshipped. In this way, thanks to the LORD was to be given while his priests were ordained.
Four, Aaron, his sons, and the altar at which they were to serve, were to be cleaned with blood. Animal blood was to be poured out at the base of the altar. It was also to be splattered on the altar, and applied to the horns of the altar with the finger. In like manner, the priests were to be splattered with blood. And blood was to be applied to the earlobe, thumb, and the big toe of the priests. Just as blood was used to make the altar fit for service, so too it was applied to the priests to make them fit for service. Why was the blood applied to the earlobe, thumb, and big toe of the priests? To cleanse them to hear the word of God with the ear, to perform sacrifices with their hands, and lead the people into the worship of God their feet. The blood of expiation was applied with precision to the priests to purify them to fulfill their peculiar calling.
Five, Aaron and his sons were to be anointed with. Anointing with oil signifies anointing with the Holy Spirit. So then, having been ceremonially washed, clothed, and covered by the blood, the priests were anointed with oil, signifying the anointing of the Spirit. Perhaps you are noticing parallels with our experience in being made priests of God under the New Covenant through faith in Christ…
Six, Aaron and his sons were consecrated with food. Some of the sacrifice was to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering. Some of the meat was to be burnt upon the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. But some was to be set aside as a “wave offering”. This portion would be lifted up by the priest towards heaven as if it were received by the priest from God. This portion of the sacrifice was to be eaten by the priests. It was their portion. And in this way, the priests would be supported and sustained in their work. They would eat and drink before the Lord in the service of the people.
Seven, this consecration ceremony was to last for seven days.
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Priestly Duties
So now we know how the priests of Israel were to be clothed, and how they were to be consecrated. But what was their responsibility? What were they to do? The work of the priests is nicely summed up for us at the beginning and end of our text.
In 27:20–21, we learn that the priests were to tend to the lamp in the tabernacle to keep it burning continually. This responsibility to tend to the lamps continuously represents all that the priests were to do as it pertains to representing the people of Israel before God. Remember that the lamp, the table for the showbread, and the altar of incense inside of the holy place signified God’s presence and the way that God had made for his people to approach him from on earth. The priests were to draw near to God on behalf of the people. They were to offer up prayers to God on their behalf. They were to inquire of God on their behalf.
In 29:38-41 instructions are given regarding the responsibilities of the priests to offer up morning and evening sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Every day, in the morning and in the evening, the priests were to offer up a year-old lamb, a tenth of an ephah (1.6 quarts) of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin (one quart) of oil, and drink offering. In the morning and evening sacrifices, thanks was offered up to God for his provision. Also, God’s covenantal communion with his people was signified.
So, the priests were to intercede on behalf of the people in the tabernacle, and they were to offer up sacrifices in behalf of the people at the altar. These two responsibilities of the priests of Israel are set forth in summary form at the beginning and end of our passage for today.
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Significance
So we know what the priests were to wear, how they were to be consecrated as priests, and what work they were to do. Now let us briefly consider the significance of these things. Why the priesthood? Why these garments? Why these ordination ceremonies? Why this work?
When I asked this question of the tabernacle in the previous sermon I did so under three headings – place, picture, and promise. I have two more “P” words for you that I will use to answer the question, why the Aaronic priesthood? The two words are these: provisional and prophetic.
When I speak of the Aaronic priesthood as being provisional I mean that God worked through this priesthood for a time work as means through which the people of Isarel would be able to come before him to worship.
When we speak of provisional things, we speak of things that are temporary, and not final. That the Aaronic priesthood was temporary, and not final, is evident from the superficiality of their dress, their ordination, and their duties. Please do not misunderstand me. I mean no disrespect to priests of Old, nor to the Old Covenant they served. And when I speak of their office, garb, and duties as superficial, I do not mean to suggest that the priests themselves were superficial men. No, indeed some of them have authentic and substantial faith in the promised Messiah. I am simply using the word superficial in a matter-of-fact way. Think of it. Aaron and his sons were clothed with beautiful and glorious clothes, but this does not mean that they were clothed with true righteousness. Their bodies were washed with pure water, but this does not mean their consciences were cleansed. Their guilt as atoned for with animal blood, but this does not mean their sins were taken away. If you wish to learn all about the superficiality of the Old Covenant, her priesthood, and her sacrifices, then read the book of Hebrews.
The provisional and superficial nature of the Old Covenant, her tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifices becomes clear when we ask the question, did this covenant, with its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices solve the problem of sin, suffering, death, and alienation from God that came into the world when Adam fell into sin? More than this, we must ask, did this covenant, its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices, bring its participants into the glorious life that was offered to Adam in the beginning, but forfeited by him when he sinned? No, it did not. It dealt with sin in an earthly way. It cleansed the flesh, not the conscience. Men and women were invited to approach the God of heaven from on earth. These were all great blessings. But the Old Covenant, with its tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices did not solve the problem of sin, really and truly. It did not bring people into the immediate presence of God eternally.
When I say that the priesthood was provisional, I mean that it meant to serve a purpose for a time. It served that purpose will. But it was designed to give way to another order – a New Covenant, with a new priest, who would be clothed, not with fine garments, but with true righteousness, holiness, and glory. This priest would offer himself up for sinners. This priest would take away sin really and truly and make provision for full reconciliation between God and man. When I say that the Old Covenant priesthood was provisional, I mean that it served the purposes of God for a time until the Christ was brought into the world through the Hebrews.
When I say that the priesthood was prophetic I mean that the Aaronic priesthood was forward-looking. It was a picture of the priest who would come, not from Aaron, but in the order of Melchizedek, and to the work of salvation that he would accomplish.
Jesus Christ fulfilled the office of priest, but he was not a descendant of Aaron. This is important to understand. He was the priest of God, but he did not come to serve as a priest of the Old Mosaic Covenant. No, he is the Priest of a different Covenant – the New Covenant, which is the Covenant of Grace. A change in covenants required a change in the priesthood, and so Jesus was not a priest in the order of Levi and Aaron, as if the New Covenant was simply a continuation of the Old. No, he was a priest in the order of Melchizedek, who lived long before Levi and Aaron. Melchizedek was a priest/king who ministered to those who believed in the promises of God in the days of Abraham. Christ was a priest in the order of Melchizedek because he came in fulfillment to those promises. And as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he served, not the Hebrews only, but all nations, just as Melchizedek did.
I cannot say more about Christ as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, for time is quickly running away, That will have to wait for another time. But know this: though Christ was a priest in the order of Melchizedek, and not Aaron, the Aaronic priesthood did still prefigure him.
Their fine garments of beauty and glory prefigured Christ who would be clothed, not with superficial and earthy garments of gold, wool, and linen, but with true holiness, righteousness, and glory.
As Aaron, and the high priests who would descend from him, offered up the blood of animals for the purification of the flesh, it was a picture of the blood of Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
As the Aaronic priests were washed bodily with water, it was a picture of the priest who would provide for the forgiveness of sins to the cleaning of the conscience.
As Aaronic priests entered the tabernacle with Israel on their shoulders and heart, and as the high priest entered the holiest place once per year as representative of Isarel, it was a picture of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, the only mediator between God and man, who is able to take his people all the way into the immediate presence of God to remain there for all eternity.
Indeed, so great is the work of Jesus, our Great High Priest, that he makes all who are united to him by faith, priest to God. He washes away our sins, purifies our conscience, anoints us with his Spirit, invites us to eat and drink before him, and having opened up the way for us, invites us to come boldly before the throne of grace, there to remain forever and ever
This is why Peter could write to Christians, saying, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9–10, ESV)
Did you hear that, brothers and sisters? Through faith in Christ, our great High Priest, we are made to be a royal priesthood. Having been forgiven, washed, clothed, and anointed, through faith in the crucified and risen Messiah, we have all been appointed to the service of God as priests. And what is our duty? To intercede on behalf of the world in prayer, and to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are to pray for the world, and we are to proclaim Christ to the world as God’s royal priesthood, washed in the blood of Jesus, the priest who has come in the order of Melchizedek to earn our salvation.
