Christ in the Old Testament 4

Life Of Christ Teacher’s Guide

Intro - We have looked into the Tabernacle with it’s furniture, and all the symbolism found there, we have studied into two sacrifices and what went along with them, as well as what they were for, and how they point out Christ, today we want to look at the Person who did all the work in the Tabernacle, and who made all the sacrifices. The Priest. There are two lines of Priests listed in the Bible Melchizedek and Aaron. Melchizedek’s line as far as is given began and ended with him, making his an everlasting priesthood. Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. He was the only one. Aaron’s line began with him was passed on to his son’s their son’s etc,

C. The Priests (Ex. 28)

1. The Office - The Priest’s were of the “Aaronic Line” from the tribe of Levi. Anyone else who attempted to take the place suffered greatly at the hand of God. They had many duties, offices, and levels.

The Priests were;

A. Chosen by God - “For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God.... And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron” (Heb_5:1, Heb_5:4). Was not elected by the people or by themselves.

B. Had to be in the linage of Aaron or Levi.

2. Work - One has said, “The work of a priest was never done.” They were doing constantly. There were sacrifices, cleansings, offerings, more cleansings, plus the duties at the tabernacle, the lighting of the lamp, the burning of the incense, the morning and evening sacrifices, oh and did I mention cleansings. Prayers to be prayed, constant services to be rendered to God.

3. Clothing - Holy garments - for glory and beauty.

A. These contained no holiness of their own. Called that because they were only wore on holy occasions. They were set apart or sanctified for use in the tabernacle.

B. Their beauty and splendor matched those of the tabernacle, and it only makes sense that they wore what fit in with their surroundings. If they had come in to burn incense in a camel hair girdle and other John the Baptist like attire it would have looked strange. It was also what God demanded. This is also symbolic of what he wants of us. Not gold or pearl or costly array out side but what he desires of the heart.

C. It would have brought about a certain reverence and respect for the priests. Just as we should have toward a minister or evangelist of the Gospel.

D. These are the garments they shall make Ex 28:4;

1. Ephod - A sleeveless waist coat with a front and back held together with straps over each shoulder. Made of A. Gold

B. Blue

C. Purple

D. Scarlet

E. Fine Twined Linen

2. Two shoulder pieces at the edges

3. A curious girdle - A band or strip that would have gone around the waist to secure all the garments like a belt.

4. On the shoulders of the Ephod was placed two onyx stones set in gold. The names of the children of Israel was to be engraved 6 on one 6 on the other.

5. From this hung two gold chains 6. Placed over the Ephod was the Breastplate of Judgment.

A. Made of same material Gold blue purple scarlet and fine twined linen

B. Was folded to form a pouch about 9 inches square.

C. In it were set four rows of three precious stones. A total of 12 stones, each one engraved with the name of a tribe.

1. Sardius, topaz, carbuncle

2. Emerald, sapphire, diamond

3. Ligure, agate, amethyst

4. Beryl, onyx, jasper

5. Some of these are not clearly identified. However It’s interesting that the majority of these are listed in the 21st chapter of Rev. As the foundation of the New Jerusalem. Perhaps they are the same as those. However it was to symbolize the 12 children of Jacob just as the two stones on his shoulder.

6. I wept today as I thought of this, the Priest was carrying the weight of the whole of Israel on his shoulders, He carried them over his heart as well. Thus he was interceding for them in his duties. He would be presenting them before the Lord as this was the High Priestly Garments. Verse 29 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.

D. In the pouch was placed the Urim and the Thummim This was to symbolize his wisdom and decision making ability given by God.

E. Attached securely to the Ephod by chains from the shoulder and blue lace from beneath above the girdle.

7. Under the breastplate and Ephod was a blue robe. Again a sleeveless garment.

A. One Woven piece

B. Had a hole in the top for the head to fit thru

C. Was to be hemmed so that it would not tear at the head and at the bottom edges.

D. On this was to hang a continual strand of a golden bell and a pomegranate.

1. This was so that people could hear the bells ringing while the priest worked. If it ceased to work it meant something was wrong and he had probably been struck dead. Isn’t it wonderful to hear the bells ring in peoples testimony’s and Prayer’s and Song’s

8. Under all of this he was to wear a shirt or a tunic made of linen which went from his neck probably down to his ankles. This had sleeves. And also had its own girdle which would not be seen being covered by the ephod and curious girdle.

9. He would then have a miter or a turban made of linen to which was attached a gold plate with blue lace with the inscription “HOLINESS TO THE LORD”

Lets look at the symbolism represented here-

1. First we have beauty and splendor and glory and holiness I think this is a good description of Christ.

2. The Girdle - John tells us when he sees him he had a gold girdle

3. The Priest brought the tribes of Israel with him into the Holy of Holies so Christ brings us before God the Father not only in prayer but on his heart and he’s already carried the weight of the cross on his shoulders and bore our sins.

4. His garments all being made of linen were symbolical of the truth purity in Christ that rendered Him such a High Priest as became us.

5. He was to have a priesthood remember after the order of Melchizedek He could not serve under the Aaronic line because he was of the Tribe of Judah however he fulfilled both in that He is a priest forever, he did not have a predecessor and there will never be a successor.

6. Someone has listed the colors as symbolic of the following;

1. Gold - Deity

2. Blue - Heavenly

3. Purple - Royalty

4. Scarlet - Sacrifice

5. Fine Linen - Personal Righteousness.