Mon.’s Devo - The Sacred Garments

Read: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13 God called forth his priests that would minister to him. They were to wear beautiful sacred garments. The craftsman was to be full of wisdom to do the work. Aaron, as the high priest was to be distinguished apart from the other priests. He would wear a chest piece, an ephod, a robe a patterned tunic, a turban and a sash. They were to be made of thread of gold and blue, purple, and scarlet thread. The ephod was to be woven of linen and embroidered with old, blue, purple and scarlet. It was to have two pieces: one for the front and one for the back fastened at the shoulders. A sash was made of the same colors. Two onyx stones were attached at the shoulders. On one was engraved the names of six of the tribes and on the other six tribes. This was so that God could look down and see the names of the people the priest would be praying for. It was also symbolic of how the high priest carries the prayers of the children of Israel on his shoulders. The high priest represents Jesus and he is the mediator between God and man. He makes intercession for us continually. The chestpiece had a pocket where the Umin and the Thummin were. One of them meant ’No” and the other meant “Yes”. The high priest would use these in determining God’s will for the people. On the front of the chestpiece were the stones of each tribe mounted in rows of three stones each. In this way the children of Israel would be close to his heart when he prayed for them. Each tribe was represented with a different stone. Every stone was surrounded by gold. The chestpiece was attached with gold cording. All of this garment was to show the beauty and splendor of the risen Christ who is our High Priest. The robe was made of a single piece of blue cloth. Jesus robe he wore on earth was red and it was made of a single piece of cloth. His robe changed colors when he ascended because it is no longer covered with blood but the color of heaven and royalty. At the bottom of the gold were alternated bells and pomegranates. The bells were sounds to let the people know that the high priest was moving. Pomegranates represent the Word of God. They are fruit made of seeds and they have the same number of seeds (613) that the Word of God has laws. The benefits of the seeds of pomegranates are many. They also represent family and prosperity. A gold medallion engraved with the words, “Holy to the Lord” was attache with blue cord in front of Aaron’s turban. All his thoughts were to be holy. Aarons tunic was to be made of fine linen decorated with colorful embroidery. Aaron’s sons were to have tunics, sashes, and special head coverings that were also beautiful. They were to be anointed, consecrated and ordained. They were to wear linen breeches like boxers under their robes. They were to be worn whoever they entered the Tabernacle or approached the altar in the Holy Place. We as holy priests unto God are covered with the robe of righteousness and we wear the same garments in the spirit. Ephesians talks about our armor which is our priestly garments. We are anointed by the Holy Spirit , consecrated to righteousness and ordained to do good works for Christ. In Matthew, Jesus was teaching about the end judgment day. Everyone will gathered into his presence and then he will separate the sheep from the goats. He will explain that it was those who recognized his presence on the earth in people and treated them as they would treat Him. The other ones will be thrown into the eternal fire that is prepared for the devil and his demons. The righteous will go into eternal life. Jesus reminded them that it was two days from Passover and he would be handed over to be crucified. As Jesus was saying this, the high priest, Caiaphas was meeting with his minions plotting his crucifixion. While Jesus was in Bethany at Simon’s house eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster far full of expensive perfume. She poured it over his head to anoint him for what was going to happen. The disciples thought it was a waste and the money for the perfume could have been better spent for the poor but Jesus rebuked them for criticizing her. He stay that whenever the truth was preached, what she did would be remembered. Lord, may we dress everyday in the garments of praise and holiness.