And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto Mme in the priest's office. And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.
And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. (Exo 28:3-4, 9-10, 15, 29-30)
GOD gives Moses some specific instructions of how His High Priests should be dressed when in the service to His people. These are both for functional and ministerial purposes. Not only does it cover Aaron, as Holy garments before the Lord, but many of the pieces have reminders of his purpose, to represent the people before the Lord and hear from God. The several stones carried the names of the tribes of Israel according to their rank and position by birth of each of Jacob's sons.
Each stone was a reminder that Aaron was the intercessor between GOD and His people, and the Urim and Thummim, were part of how GOD would speak to Aaron and let His will be known to Aaron, and later High Priests. It is not GOD's only way to speak to His children, for He spoke to many directly, as well as in visions and dreams. Today, GOD speaks to us through the Holy Spirit and His Word that we hide in our heart that we might not sIn against GOD. We are all priests of GOD and our Great Hight Priest, Jesus Christ has torn the veil and given us access to GOD through His blood and our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.
As GOD's priests, we are to minister to the hurting, within and without, that they might see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We are to take the Word of GOD, studied to be rightly divided, and make the sense plain, so others can grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are to disciple in love, as committed followers of the Master, so that they will know we are His disciples. We are to take the whole Word to the whole world, so that people may hear. And as we go, we are to take the Gospel so that those who hear may believe the Good News of Jesus Christ and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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